The Mr. Beacon Ambient IoT Podcast

Hosted by Stephen Statler

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244

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Proximity and location technologies are key to the Internet of Things (IoT) and are causing our digital and physical worlds to converge. Mr. Beacon is a series of interviews with the leaders of companies that are at the center of this revolution. Steve Statler wrote "Beacon Technologies", a survival guide for people that want to design solutions that use Bluetooth beacons to create experiences that combine location awareness with the power of cloud computing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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October 27, 20261 hr 1 min

Why IoT Deployments Fail (and How to Scale Successfully)

Building a great IoT solution is one thing. Deploying it successfully across hundreds or thousands of locations is another challenge entirely. So why do so many promising IoT projects struggle when it's time to scale? In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, I welcome Tim Webster, Enterprise Program Manager at Velociti, to explore the often-overlooked realities of large-scale technology deployment. Drawing on his experience at Walmart, Trimble, and Velociti, Tim shares what separates successful IoT rollouts from expensive failures. From defining success before installation begins to navigating complex retail environments, he explains why deployment planning can make or break even the most innovative technology. The conversation explores how companies can move from small pilots to nationwide deployments, coordinate installation teams, manage changing requirements, and demonstrate measurable ROI. Tim explains why saving employees just a few minutes per shift can translate into millions of dollars in operational value. We also examine the evolution of smart trailers and connected supply chains. How can businesses move beyond simply tracking vehicle locations to understanding what's happening inside trailers? They discuss cargo visibility, temperature monitoring, theft prevention, and the emerging role of AI in turning sensor data into actionable intelligence. Finally, we tackle the debate between RFID and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Rather than choosing a winner, Tim explains why these technologies are complementary and how selecting the right combination depends on the application, infrastructure, and business objectives. Whether you're developing IoT products, managing enterprise deployments, or transforming supply chain operations, this conversation offers practical insights into turning connected technology into real-world business results. Topics: IoT deployment, enterprise scalability, smart trailers, RFID, Bluetooth, ambient IoT, supply chain visibility, and ROI. Tim’s 3 Favorite Songs: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plEzQoD95c4 “Hurt” by Johnny Cash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHCfZTRGiI Pearl Jam (band): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQT6Vnsm6BUm0I5kR26EkQ Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data. Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com , whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net . Blecon who delivers asset tracking and condition monitoring using the devices your team already carries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 13, 202659 min

LIVE IoT Unveiled: Jason Wu on the Future of Secure Bluetooth and Physical AI

InPlay CEO Jason Wu returns to the Mr. Beacon Podcast with an exclusive announcement: LIVE IoT, a new initiative for secure, interoperable Bluetooth tags. Discover how InPlay’s IN120 chip enables sub-$1 temperature logging, why open standards matter, and how partnerships with Trackonomy and Hubble Network could accelerate Ambient Physical AI and connect trillions of everyday objects to the cloud. Jason’s Favorite Song: “Forgotten Time” by Tsai Chin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RblR-WP94hI Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data. Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com , whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net . Blecon who delivers asset tracking and condition monitoring using the devices your team already carries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 29, 20261 hr 10 min

AI Meets IoT: Accelerating the Future of Embedded Software with Ismail Hamdad

Ismail Hamdad, Co-Founder of Adsum Networks, joins Mr. Beacon to explore how AI can accelerate IoT firmware development from months to hours. We discuss Adsum’s IoT Decoder, giving AI coding agents the tools and context to work with physical hardware, the future of open IoT development, and Ismail’s journey from telecom engineering to entrepreneurship. Ismail’s Top 3 Songs: “Hurricane” by Bob Dylan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpZvg_FjL3Q “Pourquoi Cette Pluie” by Idir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlShQr3yO-E “Not Afraid” by Eminem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5-yKhDd64s Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data. Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com , whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net . Blecon who delivers asset tracking and condition monitoring using the devices your team already carries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 15, 202650 min

Why Matter, Thread, and Zigbee Are Converging: The Future of Connected Devices with Matt Maupin

Matt Maupin of Silicon Labs joins the Mr. Beacon Podcast to discuss the evolution from Zigbee to Matter over Thread, the company’s concurrent multi-protocol technology, and its collaboration with Philips Hue. We explore interoperability, wireless reliability, commercial IoT, chip integration, Bluetooth Channel Sounding, and how these technologies can make connected devices easier and more dependable. Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data. Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com , whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net . Blecon who delivers asset tracking and condition monitoring using the devices your team already carries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 1, 20261 hr 11 min

Saving the Earth, One IoT Recipe at a Time with Rob Tiffany

Rob Tiffany, Research Director at IDC and author of “Saving the Earth with the Internet of Things,” joins Mr. Beacon to explore how IoT can tackle real-world challenges in agriculture, water, food and sustainable cities. We discuss his 100 practical IoT recipes, pioneering work connecting vending machines, his definition of digital twins, and why combining IoT, automation and AI could unlock enormous opportunities. Rob’s Top 3 Songs: “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k8craCGpgs “Mysterious Ways” b y U2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxcDTUMLQJI “Summerbreeze” by Emiliana Torrini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB3WrodLKCg Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data. Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com , whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net . Blecon who delivers asset tracking and condition monitoring using the devices your team already carries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 18, 20261 hr 5 min

LoRaWAN: The Fourth Pillar of Wireless Connectivity with Alper Yegin

What happens when IoT finally gets the connectivity infrastructure it has been waiting for? In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Steve talks with Alper Yegin, CEO of the LoRa Alliance, about LoRaWAN and why he believes it has become a fourth pillar of wireless connectivity alongside Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular. Alper explains what makes LoRaWAN different: long range, deep indoor coverage, extremely low power consumption, unlicensed spectrum, and infrastructure that can be deployed through private, public, community, and satellite networks. Devices can operate for more than ten years on a single battery, opening the door to applications where conventional connectivity simply does not work. The conversation explores where LoRaWAN fits and where it does not. It is not designed for streaming video or other high-bandwidth, real-time applications. Instead, it targets the enormous world of massive IoT, where sensors may only need to send small amounts of data regularly. That makes it particularly powerful for smart buildings, metering, industrial monitoring, agriculture, asset tracking, smart cities, and more. Alper also explains why he believes LoRaWAN's open-standard approach has been central to its success, and how an ecosystem of hundreds of companies has enabled the technology to evolve from a single protocol into a broader end-to-end architecture. The conversation then turns to the future: satellite connectivity, geolocation, digital product passports, plug-and-play infrastructure, and the emerging concept of physical AI. Alper describes IoT as the bridge between AI and the physical world, the "digital nervous system" connecting AI's intelligence to physical assets. Finally, Alper shares the career path that took him from TCP/IP development at Sun Microsystems and decades of standards work to leading the LoRa Alliance, along with three songs that have shaped his journey. A wide-ranging conversation about connectivity, standards, IoT, AI, and the infrastructure being built for the physical world. Alper’s Top 3 Songs: “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzOdm9w3J94 “Rocket Man” by Elton John: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOWCoRr-wqc “Storm” by Vanessa Mae: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOSIAKbXzE8 Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data. Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com , whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net . Blecon who delivers asset tracking and condition monitoring using the devices your team already carries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 23, 20261 hr 22 min

The Digital Product Passport Standard Is Here: Thomas Knothe on JTC 24, AI, and the Future of Physical Products

Just a few weeks after the European Union finalized the first Digital Product Passport standard, JTC 24 Chair Thomas Knothe returns to the Mr. Beacon Podcast to explain what it means for manufacturers, consumers, and the future of AI-driven commerce. We discuss batteries, circular economy goals, product transparency, repairability, security, and how Digital Product Passports could become foundational infrastructure for AI agents operating in the physical world. Thomas’ Top 3 Movies: “Dirty Dancing” directed by Emile Ardolino: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIcmQNy9FsM “Amadeus” directed by Miloš Forman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7kWQj9FCGY “Shining Through” directed by Davbid Seltzer: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ChujSmX8KDU Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data. Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com , whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net . Blecon who delivers asset tracking and condition monitoring using the devices your team already carries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 19, 20261 hr 15 min

Bluetooth to Space: How Hubble Network Is Reinventing Global IoT Connectivity

This week on the Mr. Beacon Podcast, I talk with Art Tkachenko about enabling Bluetooth devices to communicate directly with satellites. We explore Hubble’s hybrid terrestrial and satellite IoT network, ultra-low-cost global asset tracking, beamforming technology, AI-assisted engineering, and the future of Ambient IoT. It’s a fascinating look at how space-based connectivity could dramatically expand what’s possible for connected devices worldwide. Art’s Top 3 Songs: “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHi9mKq0slA “Mushroom Jazz” by Mark Farina: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6k0FlHGrZE “Bicycle” by VAVAN: youtube.com/watch?v=9HNorccyEno&feature=youtu.be Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data. Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com , whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net . Blecon who delivers asset tracking and condition monitoring using the devices your team already carries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 5, 202653 min

AI, What Is It Good For? With Curt Schacker of TrackVision

What is AI actually good for? Curt Schacker, Co-founder of TrackVision, joins me to answer that question with a real-world example that will resonate with anyone who has ever stared down a mountain of pre-project groundwork. The conversation explores where AI genuinely delivers, what it still cannot replace, and why the hardest part of any implementation might soon get a whole lot easier. Curt’s Top 3 Movies “It’s a Wonderful Life” by Frank Capra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLR3gZrU2Xo “The Shawshank Redemption” by Frank Darabont: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLl99DlL6b4 “Notting Hill” by Roger Michell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RI0QvaGoiI Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data. Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com , whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net . Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 21, 202652 min

From “Search” to “Find”: Transforming Manufacturing with Ambient IoT

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Dr. Karsten Königstein of Sinfosy explains how ambient IoT is transforming manufacturing by turning smartphones into powerful tracking tools. Using Bluetooth and QR codes, his team delivers real-time, precise visibility into assets and workflows. The result is a scalable, cost-effective system that replaces “search” with “find” across modern industrial environments. Karsten’s Top 3 Songs “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qDML_BCju8 “We Are The Champions” by Queen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5GkgVhFeZY “Who Wants To Live Forever” by Queen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxn_5Barsk0 Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data. Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com , whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net . Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.