Why get high on cocaine when you can get high on technology? (I’m preparing a speech to a middle school). Smart dust is substantially more expensive and isn’t actually dust – it’s a series of low-power sensors that network wirelessly and is designed to monitor stuff like motion, temperature, humidity, and air flow so you can exercise never-before realized levels of 1984 control over your home, office, or warehouse. The idea is that manufacturers can create all kinds of sensors for whatever device they want and just plug them into the system as “motes.” I have to admit the idea is somewhat appealing – it’d be handy to get alerts when the washing machine malfunctions and pours water into the basement (and I don’t even have a basement).
Now a company called Dust Networks is selling a starter kit called “SmartMesh” with 12 motes for just $5,000 a pop (I think I’ll wait until they hit Costco.)
Read – ‘Smart Dust’ for Monitoring Ready for Sale [Piquepaille]
