By Shin Y.O

Open platform suggested to encompass module, cloud and ecosystem
With enhanced specifications, validation and convenience expected, the key is future expansion of IoT ecosystem

Samsung Electronics, which officially announced ARTIK, its IoT platform, last month, held a product demonstration for engineers from small and medium companies on March 3.

ARTIK is a micro IoT module composed of processors (APs), memories, communications, sensors, and other components. Integrated into the single module are software/drivers, storage, security solution, development board and cloud features. Developers can use ARTIK to quickly and easily commercialize IoT devices. Myung-Koo Kang, Samsung's Senior Executive, said that "ARTIK is Samsung's very first IoT platform which is suitable for developers who have ideas but find it difficult to implement them."


▲ Main specifications of ARTIK1, ARTIK5 and ARTIK10.

ARTIK aims to achieve time-to-market through one-stop shopping. Comprising ARTIK module, ARTIK cloud and ARTIK ecosystem, the ARTIK platform definitely reduces time to market for commercialized products, Myung-Koo Kang emphasized.

Taking a modular approach, ARTIK will be offered initially as ARTIK 1, ARTIK 5 and ARTIK 10 according to application. Dae-Hwan Kim, Samsung's Principal Engineer, pointed out that "ARTIK hardware differentiates itself with stability of full line-up modules, open platform and expanded ecosystem."

ARTIK also supports various networks including Ethernet, WiFi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, BLE, Z-Wave, cellular, and others, as well as TCP/IP which provides every device with its own unique address. Regarding network security, it supports OpenSSL using private keys existing only in the security element.


▲ARTIK product out of box (Source: home page)

Cloud service is also a differentiating factor offered by ARTIK. Min-Soo Kim, Samsung's Principal Engineer, explained that "while general cloud service uses separate cloud and app by device, ARTIK cloud is a single data bank accommodating all devices and clouds through data-oriented service."

He said that "we plan to gradually expand it regarding its compatibility with various OSes, and we are also working on Arduino expansion mode to enable it by June."

Though ARTIK is currently focusing on indoor products for smart home or building applications, it will be extended to industrial applications in the future, according to Dae-Hwan Kim. ARTIK unifies IoT module, cloud and ecosystem and lessens the difficult burden of validation for developers. What matters now is just how fast its ecosystem will be established. Samsung plans to continue increasing its portfolio by addressing shortcomings of the released version through June.