Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is developing a low-cost, Web-based infrastructure that combines sensor technology, the Internet and the mobile phone network to enable a variety of monitoring and control applications.
The team is currently developing a sprinkler system that can be switched on or off when a special number is dialled and sends an alert when watering is complete. They have also developed a vending machine that issues drinks when instructed to by a mobile phone.
Whilst there are other systems out there that do some of these things, they don't have the capability to cater for a range of business and home applications, according to Dr Ken Taylor from CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences.
"We use a generic GSM infrastructure over the Internet on which we build multiple applications...that use very simple, cheap microprocessors," Taylor told ZDNet Australia.
"At the moment it is possible to get systems that do similar things, but they tend to involve purpose designed devices that can only do that one thing and are very expensive," he said.
"The plan is to use a combination of existing Internet, mobile phone and SMS infrastructure to develop this technology for a range of applications for businesses and home use. This will not only keep costs down, it will make it easier for users to configure the system to their specific needs."
The system is being designed to both control and monitor devices and the applications the system could be used for include snack/drink vending machines that call the supplier when they are nearly empty, cashless vending machines where vending is controlled remotely and activated by a mobile phone call, photocopiers that call for service when they need fixing and do-it-yourself back-to-base building security.
"So, you can control things - such as turning your watering system on and off - using a mobile phone. And the system also makes it possible for devices to report back to you - your garden could call you when it was wet enough, or you could receive a message if your home was invaded," Taylor said.
The infrastructure is accessible at mobile.act.cmis.csiro.au
