Key component of "information ecosystem"

HP Labs has developed new sensors which Director Prith Bannerjee boasted "are a thousand times more sensitive" than current models. The accelerometer is a key component of what HP calls an "information ecosystem," similar to rival IBM's "Smarter Planet" platform of networked microsensors to aid decision making. The first commercial application of the HP technology will be a wireless seismic sensor network that Shell Oil will use to aid oil and gas exploration efforts.

The rationale behind both programs is that better and more ubiquitous sensors will lead to better decision making, lower energy use, and more efficient application of resources -- and in the case of oil exploration, more complete recovery from wells actually drilled. One key difference is HP's program, dubbed Central Nervous System for Earth (CeNSE), is completely integrated within the company. CeNSE uses not only HP-designed and -manufactured sensors, but also collects data on HP servers that is analyzed using HP-developed software and overseen by HP consultants.

In addition to vertical integration, HP also hopes to be able to capitalize on its position as the world's largest producer and consumer of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). Millions of MEMS are embedded in HP inkjet printers. [via Fast Company]

Prototype network node incorporating the new MEMS accelerometer (Photo: Margie Wylie)



HP accelerometer

By Electronista Staff