Will a Chinese manufacturer finally be able to gain traction in the U.S.? Are connected vultures the answer to Lima’s illegal waste disposal? These are just some of the questions that may best be answered by the Internet of Things (IoT).

Every week we round up the latest developments in the Smart World, from new developer platforms to smart city initiatives around the globe. Here’s what you missed:

Growing energy gap could be the break Haier needs

Haier Group has been trying to get a leg up in the U.S. appliance market for years, but the age of smart homes and the growing energy gap could be what it needs to finally catch a break. According recent reports, the global energy demand will increase by nearly 37 percent by 2035 and this growth is expected to drive the adoption of smart home appliances that aim to reduce energy bills. Thanks to Haier’s acquisition of General Electric’s appliance division, the booming smart home market could present fresh opportunities for Haier.

Read more about the report here.

These 5 cars are the next fitness trackers

Soon, wearable devices will no longer be the only thing that helps you keep track of your health and fitness, as car manufacturers are looking to integrate sensors that could do this in future vehicles. Jaguar Land Rover Automotive is developing what it calls “Mind Sense” wherein the technology will be able to determine if the driver is getting sleepy, daydreaming or losing focus. But Jags aren’t the only cars gaining sensory smarts.

Read more about what other car manufacturers are developing here.

Arrayent raises another $15m, looks to own IoT services

Arrayent, Inc. has raised $15 million in a Series C funding round led by ORIX Ventures. The new funds  will be used to expand the company’s operations in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The focus on the global expansion will be to seek out partners, as well as industry education. Currently, Arrayent develops and delivers over 60 consumer products from brands such as Whirlpool, Maytag, Chamberlain and Pentair.

Read more about Arrayent’s endeavors here.

IoT cybersecurity firm raises $76m

IoT-focused cybersecurity firm ForeScout, Inc. raised $76 million a Series G round of funding led by Wellington Management Group, and a number of undisclosed investors. ForeScout claims the new round of funding will be used to expand global field operations, improve support, and increase R&D efforts in the IoT security space.

Read more about ForeScout’s new round of funding here.

GPS-equipped vultures lead Peru’s war on trash

In the Peruvian capital city Lima, authorities have deployed highly trained vultures equipped with GPS trackers to crack down on illegal waste dumpers. These is part of the country’s Vultures Detect program and soon, these birds will also be equipped with GoPro cameras in their specially fitted vests.

Read more about how these winged creatures can help peru solve its waste problem here.

In other IoT news:

Philips leverages Power over Ethernet in new lighting project

Royal Philips announced a large lighting installation at the Watt Family Innovation Center at Clemson University. The lighting installation utilized Power over Ethernet (PoE) which allows the system to deliver both data and power at the same time. The system is also able to gather real-time and historical data to know when people are inside the room, trigger lights to go on or off, ultimately saving energy.

The four-storey building has also been fitted with Philips iColor Flex LMX gen2 nodes, which are flexible strands of large high-intensity LED nodes with intelligent color light. This installation features a digital canvas and is able to deliver messages to the people in the campus. It can be used to boost school spirit, make important announcements, or provide a highly visual element that drives the innovative brand image of the University.

Read more about Philips’ lighting project here.

A smart band for food allergy management

A new wearable device launched on Kickstarter PBC aims to make it easier for people to avoid food allergens. Called AllerGuarder, the device is Bluetooth connected, and anyone with the AllerGuarder app on their smartphone will be alerted when someone with an AllerGuarder band is in the vicinity. Using the app, parents can edit what information will be made available in general, as well as information available to trusted people.

Read more about AllerGuarder here and you can also fund the project here.

Tune in next week for more interesting stories, discoveries and innovations in the world of smart and connected things.

Photo by Unsplash (Pixabay)