element14 is now shipping a market –first IoT Learner Kit developed in collaboration with IBM. The kit provides an end-to-end learning solution for makers, hardware and software developers and students looking to get started with IoT development and can be used in conjunction with IBM’s Coursera course: “A Developer`s Guide to Internet of Things (IoT)”.

The IoT learner kit has been built around the Raspberry Pi3 and Raspberry Pi sense hat, which have fueled the maker culture and become a symbol for creativity and innovation for the Internet of things. By accessing the IoT space through the kits hardware, and with full support from the IBM course, developers will be able to:

- Learn the skills required for IoT development

- Create innovative projects

- Bring innovative projects into commercial application

Richard Curtin, Strategic Alliance Director at element14 said:

“The maker market is a home for innovation and we continue to see bright and exciting ideas come from this space and turn into real commercial prospects.  By collaborating with IBM in the development and launch of this starter kit, element14 is making it even easier for makers to take that first step towards the commercial market, creating the potential for an innovation revolution.”

Bret Greenstein, Vice President, IBM Watson IoT Platform, added:

"So many engineers and entrepreneurs first start tinkering with their IoT ideas on a Raspberry Pi, which is why IBM has engaged and committed to the Pi ecosystem by teaming up with element14, a Premier Farnell trading company and a licensed manufacturer of the Raspberry Pi.”

The element14 IoT Learner Kit is available from Farnell element14 in Europe, Newark element14 in North America and element14 in Asia.   

You can get started with "A Developer's Guide to IoT" from IBM and Coursera, and explore the course before purchase. The kit also provides a 90 day free trial for the Bluemix, a cloud development platform giving access to the IBM Watson IoT Platform and other services. 

You can read more about IoT learner Kit on the element14 community and element14 design center.

Using the popular Raspberry Pi single board computer, these out-of-the-box, IoT-ready starter kits are flexible and cost-effective gateways to developing intelligent building products for hospitals, homes, airports and other venues on the way to a seamlessly connected IoT. The Entrepreneur kit is more technical in nature, for ‘makers,’ engineers and start-ups, while the Enterprise model caters to facilities mangers, property owners and property management companies.

The Entrepreneur solution includes EnOcean self-powered sensors, a Raspberry Pi and EnOcean Pi boards from element14, and provides access to the IBM Watson IoT Platform and Bluemix services from IBM. The Enterprise model includes EnOcean OEM self-powered sensors and EnOcean Gateway from element14, as well as access to software and services from IBM including IBM’s Watson IoT Platform and IBM TRIRIGA facilities management software.

EnOcean’s energy harvesting wireless technology provides self-powered, wireless sensors to capture and transmit data across an increasingly connected IoT network. They use miniaturized energy converters, which gain energy from motion, light and temperature of the surrounding environment, allowing the sensors to work without batteries, and are maintenance-free. The converters, together with wireless modules, comprehensive energy management and ultra-low power radio communication offer OEMs a complete energy harvesting platform.

The IBM Watson IoT Platform allows organizations to securely and easily connect devices, from chips and intelligent appliances to applications and industry solutions. Scaling through cloud-based services and using rich analytics, the IBM Watson IoT Platform provides organizations with new insight for innovation and transformation. IBM TRIRIGA provides a single system to manage the lifecycle of facilities. Its integrated workplace management system increases the operational, financial and environmental performance of facilities.

Both products are expected to be available early April, from Newark element14 in North America, Farnell element14 in Europe and element14 in Asia-Pacific. Engineers and buyers can access a wide range of technical information, tools and resources regarding the kits on element14’s Community and Design Center.

To learn more about the collaboration between element14, IBM and EnOcean, please visit element14.com.