Global IoT service provider, US-based Aeris, has formed a joint venture with Japanese conglomerate SoftBank to provide IoT and telematics services globally using the Aeris IoT platform.
The platform is billed as 'a comprehensive, end-to-end and proven set of key technologies that enable enterprises to bring IoT solutions to market quickly, cost-efficiently and with the highest security.' It consists of AerPort connectivity management platform, AerCloud applications enablement platform, AerCore IoT network and AerVoyance IoT analytics platform. Aeris says it has more than 7.5 million devices under management,
Aeris claims to be already one of the largest IoT service providers in the world serving hundreds of enterprises. It says the joint venture, Aeris Japan KK, will expand its business in Japan and beyond, including India, Europe and the United States, cover multiple market segments and offer a variety of services ranging from an IoT connectivity platform and IoT application middleware to complete IoT solutions for market segments including telematics in the automotive industry.
Softbank is global portfolio of companies that includes advanced telecommunications, media and Internet services, robotics and clean energy technology providers. Its assets include US mobile and fixed line telco, Sprint.
Aeris claims to offer 'a comprehensive telematics solution for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) including a full suite of driver, dealer and OEM services.'
It expects this to be one of the largest IoT markets, saying: 'Machina Research predicts IoT will account for one quarter of the global 41 million 5G connections in 2024. Japan and Korea will lead the charge and embedded factory-fit connected cars will be the biggest IoT application, according to Machina Research.
'Japan will lead the Asia-Pacific region's market growth for industrial IoT, which is expected to be worth $54 billion by 2020, according to tech research firm Technavio.'
Aeris Japan will be headquartered in Higashi-Shimbashi Minato-ku, Tokyo, and led by executives from SoftBank and Aeris including Hiroshi Akabori, COO, and Raj Kanaya, CEO, respectively.
