Sony, Advantech, and Hitachi Showcase IoT Breakthroughs in Cold‑Chain Logistics, Transport Security, and Trains‑as‑a‑Service

While Sony is best known for its consumer electronics, the company’s IoT Business Group in Europe is reshaping logistics, transport security, and rail operations. At the recent IoT Solutions World Congress (IOTSWC18) in Barcelona, senior manager Lisa Lessing and business development manager Anders Sandwang highlighted Sony’s journey from the first Bluetooth‑enabled watch in 2006 to today’s cutting‑edge connectivity and machine‑learning solutions.

Cold‑Chain Management That Eliminates the Blame Game

In 2015, Sony leveraged its expertise in 5G and machine‑learning to develop Mobiam, a mobile asset‑management platform now trialing with Lund University. The solution attaches a modem, GPS, accelerometer and temperature sensors to shipping containers, enabling real‑time monitoring of the product rather than the vehicle.

During the conference, Sony demonstrated a live feed from a car‑part shipment that traveled from Copenhagen to Manchester via Gothenburg and Hull. Alarms alert shippers if temperature or humidity exceeds thresholds, or if the container tilts or falls.

A second demonstration tracked paper transported from Finland to Prague. Machine‑learning models predict rerouting due to unexpected events—such as a truck breakdown—and proactively inform customers of potential delays.

Securing the IoT Supply Chain

High‑value logistics operations require end‑to‑end data protection. However, many networks apply encryption only between the gateway and the receiving endpoint, leaving device‑to‑gateway traffic vulnerable. Crypto Quantique’s CEO Dr Shahram Mossayebi explained that their Quantum‑Driven Secure Chip (QDSC) embeds a unique, unclonable set of cryptographic keys directly into semiconductor silicon. This eliminates the need to store keys and provides a root of trust for every device.

Intelligent Transportation from Road to Rail

Advantech’s presence at IOTSWC18 showcased its broad portfolio for both road and rail. At the booth, a battery‑powered mini‑Tesla was charged via a smart meter connected to Advantech’s UBC‑330 Mbed‑edge gateway, illustrating real‑world deployment of Mbed Cloud.

Sioux Lime, a Dutch partner, extends this expertise to automated guided vehicles and fleet‑management systems. The company has developed advanced image‑recognition algorithms for pantograph monitoring on trains, enabling predictive maintenance that cuts costs and improves safety.

Trains‑as‑a‑Service: Hitachi’s New Business Model

Hitachi Vantara’s Wael Elrifai described the company’s shift from selling trains to offering “Trains‑as‑a‑Service” (TaaS). With up to 48,000 sensors per trainset—primarily monitoring doors, toilets, and other non‑engine components—predictive analytics unlock significant maintenance savings, especially after the fifth year of operation.

Hitachi Insight Group’s Justin Bean added that while the company is still in the early stages of XaaS, it aims to deliver maximum productivity with the minimum number of trains, aligning OEM responsibilities with evolving customer demands.

Author: Jeremy Cowan, Editorial Director & Publisher of IoT Now