The recently established Center for the Development and Application of Internet-of-Things Technologies (CDAIT) at the Georgia Institute of Technology announces that Flex, IBM, Stanley Black & Decker and Wipro Limited have become founding members.

The latest group of high-tech leaders join the previously announced AirWatch by VMware, AT&T and Samsung Electronics as founding members. The involvement of these companies reflects their continuing commitment to the advancement of the transformational capabilities of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Internet of Things refers to the ability for all types of devices to communicate with each other through networks like the Internet, radio frequencies and other forms of transmission. Devices could include the equipment in cars, homes, trucks, cargo, health care and other everyday objects. This new area of technological innovation is receiving increasing attention around the world because of its potential impact on all sectors of the economy and society.

Together with Georgia Tech and its applied research unit the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), the founding members will closely monitor and actively participate in the expansion of the rapidly growing IoT industry. Other leading global companies involved in IoT have indicated their interest in getting engaged with CDAIT.

“Georgia Tech has significant expertise in many of the domains that will comprise a future internet-of-things,” said Andrew Gerber, Georgia Tech Senior Vice President and Director of GTRI, where CDAIT is located. “With the addition of these powerful corporate innovators, this new center will help build critical mass to solve some exceedingly complex problems in ways that could have significant impact on the way that we live our lives, and could have a shaping influence on multiple market sectors. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining with our industry partners as we embark on this enterprise.”

Flex is a leading sketch-to-scale™ solutions company that designs and builds intelligent products for a connected world. With more than 200,000 professionals across 30 countries and a promise to help the world Live smarter™, the company provides innovative design, engineering, manufacturing, real-time supply chain insight and logistics services to companies of all sizes in various industries and end-markets.

“The Internet of Things is defined by connected, intelligent products that transcend traditional categories,” said Mike Dennison, President of the Consumer Technologies Group at Flex. “We are entering a period of great opportunity and we are looking forward to collaborating on maximizing its benefits, with Georgia Tech and our fellow CDAIT founding members.”

IBM is a globally integrated technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, N.Y. With operations in more than 170 countries, IBM attracts and retains some of the world's most talented people to help solve problems and provide an edge for businesses, governments and non-profits. IBM’s pioneering work in Smarter Planet and Smarter Cities was based on practical applications of IoT in the enterprise that led to a broad set of solutions, ranging from water management to optimizing retail and customer loyalty to alleviating traffic congestion. IBM is a leader in enterprise IoT implementations that help to securely combine and analyze data from a variety of sources.

“IBM and Georgia Tech have a longstanding collaborative relationship. We are thrilled to join CDAIT as a Founding Charter Member," said Pat Toole, General Manager, IBM, Internet of Things. "IBM is the global leader in Internet of Things. Our secure, cloud-based platform has the analytic power to help clients innovate across every industry. With CDAIT, we will continue to build on this rich foundation."

Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK), an S&P 500 and FORTUNE 500 company, is the world’s leading provider of tools and storage, the world’s second-largest commercial electronic security company and a leading engineered fastening systems provider, with unique growth platforms in the Oil & Gas and Infrastructure industries. Well-known brands include STANLEY, BLACK+DECKER, DEWALT, Porter-Cable, Bostitch, Facom, Mac Tools, Proto, Vidmar and Lista, among others.

“We are excited to join this elite group of founding members as we work together to advance the IoT revolution,” said Jim Loree, President & Chief Operating Officer for Stanley Black & Decker. “At Stanley Black & Decker, we are already leveraging connected products to impact everything from home repair and construction to advanced manufacturing to healthcare and patient safety, and we are only beginning to scratch the surface of our opportunity. Our partnership with CDAIT will ensure that we remain in the forefront of this new era of technological innovation.”

Wipro Ltd. is a leading Information Technology, Consulting and Business Process Services company that delivers solutions to enable its clients do business better. Wipro delivers winning business outcomes through its deep industry experience and a 360 degree view of "Business through Technology," helping clients create successful and adaptive businesses. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, a practitioner's approach to delivering innovation and an organization-wide commitment to sustainability, Wipro has a workforce of more than 150,000, serving clients in 175+ cities across six continents.

“Today, enterprises and academic institutions collaborate in a manner previously impossible to harness collective knowledge and innovate," said Dr. Alan Atkins, Vice President, Global Head of IoT, Wipro Technologies. "We are happy to join forces with Georgia Tech and explore the possibilities of how the IoT Explosion can transform the world in which we live.” 

CDAIT (pronounced "see-date") is a global, non-profit, partner-funded center located in Atlanta, Ga., that fosters interdisciplinary research and education while driving general awareness about the Internet of Things. It aims at efficiently identifying, understanding and solving for its sponsors challenges and problems that may arise along the whole IoT value chain. CDAIT bridges sponsors with Georgia Tech faculty and researchers as well as industry members with similar interests.

“The Internet of Things is fundamentally a simple concept, yet challenging to implement,” said Alain Louchez, CDAIT Managing Director. “CDAIT is looking forward to collaborating with its sponsors that all have outstanding experience and expertise along the complex IoT value chain.”

Learn more about CDAIT at www.cdait.gatech.edu.