Google Inc. is stepping in the world of Internet of Things as the company has presented new operating system and language aimed at interconnection of home appliances at the annual I/O conference.
Idea of making all home devices connected is getting more and more attractive and realizable. Digital giants don’t want to stand aside and step by step make their contributions in technology development.
It was rumored earlier that Google was developing a platform for Internet of Thing. Now the information was officially confirmed at I/O conference. The company presented a low-level operating system called Brillo and language Weave which is common for all connected devices.
Brillo is based on Android but on lower levels. It provides only basic functions for the devices to be able to share information. Thus it suits appliances with low memory and small processors. Google says “Brillo will feature minimal system requirements and broad silicon support”.
The name of the new platform comes from “Brillo Pad” – trade name for a scouring pad, used for cleaning dishes. According to Google’s idea it is similar to their polishing Android to a simpler operating system.
Brillo is supplemented with operating language Weave. It is a common language understandable for all devices. It can actually make them talk to each other. They will “understand” such commands as switch on/switch off.
For example, your refrigerator can turn on a conditioner. Weave works not only on devices running Brillo – it suits any other low-level operating system as well. Thus you can either use Brillo and Weave together, or run Weave separately.
Sundar Pichai, Google vice president, explains: “We will have standardized schemas, developers can submit custom schemas, and we will have a Weave certification program to make sure anything that is Weave certified can work together”.
Developing stage will continue till the end of September when Google will release it in preview form. Brillo and Weave will come into the market till the end of the year.
NestLabs acted as a partner in the development of these projects. Google acquired the manufacturer of programmable devices last year for $3.2 billion.
Google is not the first company interested in Internet of Things. Samsung has recently presented Artik, a chip that comes in three sizes and allows to make home appliances interconnected. Samsung again followed Intel which is developing Curie, a device that can supply wearables with power.
Living in the world of interconnected devices can be interesting and challenging at the same time. Something that we used to see only in fantasy or cartoons is coming true. We can only hope that devices will not raise a rebellion and conquer the world!
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