Amazon is officially opening Sidewalk to more developers. (Image Credit: Amazon)
Dev kit alert! This seems like it might be fun.
In 2019, Amazon unveiled its Sidewalk technology, a low-bandwidth wireless network for IoT device connectivity. These IoT devices connect to Echo and Ring gadgets that also consume some of the user's bandwidth. This allows Sidewalk to connect to devices out of range from a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi signal. However, only a select few could develop Sidewalk projects. Now Amazon has recently announced it's making the software and hardware development kits and test kits readily available, allowing regular users to build projects for Sidewalk.
"We've rapidly built out a long-range, low-bandwidth network that now covers more than 90% of the U.S. population, and this is an open invitation for developers to put it to the test," said Dave Limp, senior vice president of Amazon Devices & Services. "Many types of connected devices have been limited by the range of Wi-Fi and the cost of cellular technology, which has hindered the ability to connect devices like environmental sensors, leak detectors, and smart locks. Sidewalk is designed to provide a secure, low-cost way to invent and connect a whole new range of devices, and we can't wait to see what developers build."
With the test kit, developers can look at the local signal strength on a map with a developer's portal, enabling them to determine if their IoT devices will establish a connection with the network. That way, they can be assured their finished product works with Sidewalk. After turning on a Ring device and logging into the Sidewalk coverage service, users view the GPS test kit data and the coverage map. This service protects user privacy by only displaying the owner's device location within 900x900 m2 on a coverage map.
Amazon also collaborated with Silicon Labs, Texas Instruments, Quectel, and Nordic Semiconductor to provide the software and hardware development kits. Quetcel introduces a Sidewalk connectivity module for developers who want to bring their Sidewalk devices into development. In addition, Amazon plans to release iOS and Android SDKs so developers can integrate Sidewalk into mobile applications. A debugging and troubleshooting app will also be released for device testing.
Additionally, the AWS connects with the Sidewalk. "The integration of AWS IoT Core and Amazon Sidewalk marks a significant milestone for developers, manufacturers, and customers, streamlining the design, connection, and deployment of Amazon Sidewalk-based IoT solutions," said Yasser Alsaied, vice president of IoT at Amazon Web Services. "Now, with AWS IoT Core for Amazon Sidewalk, developers can access more than 200 AWS services to build scalable solutions on top of a highly reliable, secure, and free-to-connect wireless network."
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