IoT Deal & Partnership Highlights: Meta, Inpixion, Quectel & More

From Meta’s renewed partnership with Amazon to Inpixion’s acquisition of IntraNav, Marubun’s wireless charging initiative, Deloitte’s smart factory collaboration, and more, here’s the latest snapshot of the Internet of Things landscape.

Meta Expands Amazon Web Services Partnership

Meta is deepening its collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Under the agreement, the companies will optimize the performance of PyTorch on AWS infrastructure, enabling Meta to broaden its cloud footprint through third‑party applications and strategic acquisitions of startups already leveraging AWS. The partnership also supports Meta AI’s goal of integrating bespoke AI tools into its ecosystem.

Mender Unveils Azure IoT Hub Integration

Mender, the over‑the‑air software update platform, announced a new integration with Microsoft Azure’s IoT Hub and Device Twin services. Compatible with embedded Linux devices, the feature lets developers view provisioning data and device status directly from the web interface, while synchronizing information between Mender and Azure. Mender’s integration with Azure Device Provisioning Service began in 2019 and now includes a rollback option to restore previous firmware if a device fails.

Inpixion Acquires IntraNav’s IIoT Business

Inpixion acquired industrial IoT sensor and data services provider IntraNav through its wholly‑owned subsidiary Nanotron. IntraNav’s smart sensors deliver real‑time monitoring for industrial machinery—including driverless transport systems, automated guided vehicles, and smart pallets—and serve clients such as Siemens Energy, TB International, Festo, and PERI. The acquisition expands Inpixion’s portfolio into automation, paperless workflows, digital supply‑chain management, and virtual yard‑management tools.

Ossia and Marubun Launch Wireless Charge IoT Sensors

Ossia and Marubun Corporation are partnering to develop the Cota Power Receiver, a remote charging unit for IoT sensors. Built on Ossia’s wireless power protocol, the receiver will initially operate at 2.4 GHz, with a 5.8 GHz variant to follow. Limited‑run units are slated for early next year.

Thinxtra & Tether Deploy Covid‑Care Air‑Quality Sensors

Thinxtra, an Australian IoT telecom firm, is teaming with Tether to launch the Covid‑Care air‑quality sensor for public venues. The solution combines Tether’s battery‑powered sensors and analytics with Thinxtra’s “0G” connectivity, a low‑power wide‑area network built on Sigfox technology, to monitor COVID‑19 risk and other contaminants.

Siemens Joins Deloitte’s Smart Factory Initiative

Siemens Digital Industries Software has joined a 60,000‑sq‑ft smart‑factory project at Wichiata, a collaboration spearheaded by Deloitte. The factory integrates a production line with experiential labs for testing new capabilities. Siemens will showcase its Xcelerator digital‑transformation platform and Teamcenter product‑lifecycle management software, advancing digital twins, simulation, automation, cloud analytics, and edge IIoT. The partnership also deepens Siemens’ collaboration with Amazon Web Services to extend Xcelerator’s cloud infrastructure.

NODAR Secures $2 Million US Army R&D Contract

NODAR has secured a $2 million research and development contract to supply autonomous ground‑vehicle perception systems to the US Army. Its Hammerhead technology delivers 360‑degree, 1,000‑yard‑range 3D sensing for autonomous vision, detecting terrain, vegetation, and off‑road obstacles. CEO Leaf Jiang highlighted NODAR’s ability to deliver high‑resolution, real‑time 3D sensing that remains resilient in hostile environments.

Quectel Selected as Microsoft Azure Percept Reference Case

Quectel Wireless Solutions will serve as a reference partner for 5G connectivity on Microsoft Azure Percept, an edge‑computing kit for AI workloads like computer vision and natural language processing. Quectel’s 5G modem and USB developer kit will provide customers with a turnkey solution to integrate Azure Percept AI capabilities with hardware and Azure services.

Danang Targets Smart‑City Status by 2025

The Vietnamese city of Danang is on track to become a smart city by 2025, earning recognition at the World Communications Awards. A memorandum of understanding with Viettel, the state‑owned telecoms group, underpins the initiative. Plans include assigning digital addresses to every household, introducing virtual reality to tourist sites, and offering smart‑city demos to visitors upon arrival.