Helium integrated Streamr Network To Improve sharing & monetization of IoT Data
Helium made its name by being an open network and allowing people an easy way to deploy their Internet of Things (IoT) projects. Each day, hundreds of millions of data packets travel through the network and help IoT systems worldwide achieve their goals.
We often think of IoT projects as something personal or closed. For example, setting up smart sensors at home or at the office or factory. We would use these devices and sensors to benefit our own life or business. In reality, we can do so much more. We can use IoT sensors to gather various data and share it with other companies or scientists and take part in a bigger collaborative gathering and analysis of IoT data.
Or you can simply take advantage of your location and set up a few IoT sensors and share them to researchers to use for various experiments and measurements. For example about the air quality, micro-climate studies, etc. 11 examples of IoT sensors:
- Temperature Sensors – Temperature sensors detect temperature changes and convert these variations into data.
- Humidity Sensors – These sensors, often known as hygrometers, measure the amount of water vapor in the air or other gases.
- Solar Cells – IoT solar cell sensors in electric vehicle charging stations provide real-time data that are analyzed for load balancing between power systems.
- Pressure Sensors – The level of pressure is analyzed through IoT pressure sensors.
- Biomedical Sensors – IoT sensor data is used in the medical industry to provide early detection of illnesses and improve the monitoring of patients.
- Proximity Sensors – Proximity sensors are used to detect objects near the sensor without making physical contact with them.
- Gyroscope sensors – A gyroscope is a rotating device that creates its own magnetic field. It’s used in a variety of gadgets, including cell phones and automobiles.
- Cameras and Optical Sensors – Farmers can use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with high-definition cameras to capture images of crops from above.
- Chemical sensors – Chemical sensors in any industry help track chemical leaks from drums or tanks throughout process lines with real-time data analysis.
- Gas and Air Quality Sensors – Gas sensors can provide real-time data on CO2 concentrations so you know when to change out heating and ventilation systems or parts.
- Accelerometers – checks movement and g-forces during flight, providing a detailed record of a plane’s movements.
The possibilities are endless and you can even make some money by sharing this data. Sounds like a win-win, right?
Enter Streamr
Well, it can be a challenge to find a way to do that. Unless you use a platform like Streamr. What’s Streamer you ask? It’s a decentralized platform to publish, use and monetize real-time data. It also features Data Unions – a framework where large groups can find market for data. Streamr features its own $DATA token which makes settlements and distribution easier.
This video talks about how to turn Data (say from Helium smart sensors) into money with Streamr (speed watch at 2X video speed):
Thanks to Streamer it’s much easier to find people willing to pay for your IoT data. So, if you have a Helium IoT project, Streamr might be exactly what you need. The good news is that The People’s Network announced the Helium x Streamr project.
It creates an “End-to-End Pipeline for Connecting, Delivering, and Monetizing IoT Data”. Helium IoT users can join Streamr via this detailed official guide.
Then IoT users can explore Streamr and choose various web apps for visualizations, automation or other stuff. This way they can find ways to improve their own IoT projects and make the most out of the devices and sensors they own. Possibly even discover features and ways to use the devices, they didn’t expect were possible.
And then IoT owners can also monetize their data. You can create a data stream and turn it into a product for the Streamr marketplace. Others can then buy this data and you make money.
But what if you have a small IoT setup? Well, then you can join or create a Data Union. This is basically a pool where creators of similar data can create a group and sell it. Revenues are then shared via the Data Unions models so everything is fair and according to everyone’s contributions.
“By realizing this integration, both Helium and Streamr can provide their users with a fully decentralized and trust less global data infrastructure for a “first-to-last-mile” IoT pipeline. Users gain benefits from the network effects of composable ecosystems, and no longer need to accept vendor lock-in or privacy issues inherent with centralized cloud services”, says Helium in its blog.
Initial reactions to the news were generally favorable. Some of the Helium IoT users are still reeling from the Light Hotspot initial issues. They note that their HNT earnings were low and want a fix. Helium says most of the issues are already fixed and things should be back to normal for the majority of Hotspot owners.
These issues though don’t have much to do with the Streamr integration. It’s focused towards IoT users, not Hotspot owners. The integration gives another incentive for people to choose Helium for their IoT projects alongside lower costs, decentralization and security.
