IBM launches Mote Runner for sensor networks

Memsic Iris sensor mote
(Credit: Memsic)

IBM on Monday rolled out a software development kit for an application dubbed Mote Runner with the aim of spurring the adoption of sensors in various devices, products, and systems. The real goal is to enable the so-called Internet of things by making sensor networks easier to deploy and manage.

Mote Runner is a free download. IBM made the announcement at the 2010 Sensors Expo & Conference. The Mote Runner moniker refers to motes--or wireless sensor nodes--that gather information including temperature, movement, and light and refer back to a network.

Meanwhile, Memsic, which makes these micro sensor systems, will include Mote Runner on one of its Iris sensors. The Memsic Iris is a 2.4GHz wireless sensor mote used for enabling low-power wireless sensor networks in buildings or traffic patterns at an intersection.