Bluetooth Smart transmission range increased by up to 4 times

Bluetooth SIG has unveiled the key features of the Bluetooth technology roadmap.

Major updates include increased transmission distance, superior speed, and mesh networking, and Bluetooth improvements to be released in 2016 are planned to focus on strengthening rapidly growing industries such as smart homes, industrial automation, location-based services, and smart infrastructure.

Toby Nixon, Chairman of the Bluetooth SIG Board, said, “We have received many requests from our members and the industry for new Bluetooth features that can enhance Bluetooth technology, and accordingly, we are announcing these new features today,” adding, “The technology updates planned for Bluetooth technology in 2016 will further accelerate IoT growth.”

Bluetooth Smart’s transmission range, increased by up to four times, is expected to revolutionize smart home and infrastructure applications and provide more extended and robust connectivity for all indoor and outdoor use cases. The 100% increase in speed without additional power consumption enables rapid data transmission for critical applications such as medical devices, while simultaneously improving response speed and reducing latency. Furthermore, mesh networking will connect Bluetooth devices within a network managing an entire building or home, opening up new possibilities for home and industrial automation applications.

Mark Powell, Executive Director of the Bluetooth SIG, explained, “The Bluetooth technology roadmap clearly demonstrates our mission to act as a catalyst for industry innovation. Numerous developers and vendors have adopted Bluetooth as an IoT connectivity solution. The upcoming new features will play a pivotal role in IoT technology and further solidify Bluetooth.”