When the Bluetooth SIG released its technology roadmap for 2016 and beyond a few months ago, it caused quite a stir. With longer range, faster speed and mesh networking on the map, we could see a complete shift in many verticals including the smart home, industrial automation, location-based services and smart infrastructure.

Mesh networking is definitely the hottest topic of conversation. Steve Hegenderfer recently spoke atNational Hardware Show in Las Vegas with GE on why the smart home industry is so excited about Bluetooth and mesh.

Even Junko Yoshida of EE Times said, “Mesh technology is regarded as a key to many Internet of Things applications, especially those that require extended range or peer-to-peer communication.” Yoshida also expounded on how the Bluetooth SIG formed the Mesh Working Group to help standardize the profile for industry-wide adoption. In the article, VP of marketing, Errett Kroeter, was asked why the industry is so eager to add mesh, to which he replied, “some applications want good coverage that can extend an entire building, and in some applications you don’t want a central hub. You want one message to be bound along with no hub in the middle.”

Mesh Technology Alternative in the Smart Home

TechHive covered the idea of Bluetooth as the connected home alternative technology. “Mesh networking holds promise for smart-home products as well, as it could allow for a decentralized system of devices instead of having to route everything through a single controller hub.”

A recent article in IoT Silicon explored why mesh with Bluetooth low energy is increasingly being considered as an alternative to other home networking technologies like other short-range wireless technologies.

The author goes into the merits of using mesh with Bluetooth low energy functionality for use in the smart home and industrial automation applications. The article explains that one of the most important aspects is the ubiquity of support in smartphones, tablets and laptops consumers already own. That means the controlling mechanism for the smart home is all ready to go which means lower costs and easier deployments.

Expect the conversations to continue as people explore the benefits of mesh and Bluetooth as the key enabler to the Internet of Things ahead of the profile release later this year. We see mesh as a complete game changer, one where different products interoperate and work together in many verticals. We will continue to update you on the blog and the website with all the latest news on mesh.

(Credit: Nanci Taplett)