Coffee with Mr. IoT: A Connected Technologies Series

Take a coffee break with an IoT podcast

Deloitte Consulting Chief Futurist Robert Schmid, AKA “Mr. IoT,” interviews guest specialists across the burgeoning IoT space. They’re taking deep dives into the world of connected technologies and in particular the human impact these technologies have on how we live and work.  

Guests include current and former luminaries of the digital world, including Deloitte leaders and practitioners who have worked on IoT projects, clients who have implemented IoT, and collaborators from our alliance network. Topics have covered Industry 4.0, smart buildings, smart cities, connected home and medical devices, digital supply networks, industrial IoT, AR, AI and machine learning, virtual assistants, standards, and more.

Check back each week for new episodes. You can also view episodes of Coffee with Mr. IoT as a video series on YouTube.

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Chris Bates: Smart space, fleets, and the pace of innovation in the public sector

The pace of technology adoption and innovation in the private sector and at home is much faster than that of the public sector, due in part to controls the government has put in place to safeguard against potential vulnerabilities. Are there opportunities for the government to lead the private sector in innovation and adoption? What advancements might we see in the public sector over the coming years? In this episode of Coffee with Mr. IoT, Robert sits down with Chris Bates, Specialist Leader in Deloitte's Government & Public Services Consulting practice, to discuss the nuances of working with the public sector, the implementation of predictive maintenance and tracking devices across government fleets, and what could be in store for the future of technology and innovation.

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Shawn Kanungo: Making work, work in a disrupted world

For years, if not decades, organizations have run their businesses like well-oiled machines, with clear processes and governance; however, they need to adapt for our digital world, says Shawn Kanungo, keynote speaker and disruption strategist. We've witnessed disruption across industry and the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for companies to embrace the digital landscape. How do we catalyze digital transformation? How is this going to shape the future of work? In this episode with Mr. IoT, Shawn discusses the importance of embracing digital and maximizing efficiency, productivity, and innovation in today's work-from-home environment.

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Adam Mussomeli: Creating a better tomorrow with supply chain

While the foundation of supply chain operations has stood the test of time, the capabilities we are leveraging to execute across the end-to-end supply chain are changing dramatically. No longer are we relying solely on historic, algorithmic models to understand demand, but advancements in IoT are enabling organizations to get a glimpse into what influences demand in the here and now. What does this mean for connecting with the end customer? How is this changing decision-making processes? In this episode with Mr. IoT, Adam Mussomeli, leader of Deloitte's National Supply Chain & Network Operations practice, discusses how technology has evolved our supply chains into agile digital supply networks.

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Nishita Henry–Innovation in the fast lane: From VR to comic books

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a time of unprecedented change, accelerating the future of work, disrupting supply chains, and adapting human interactions for a socially distanced world. Nishita Henry, Deloitte’s Chief Innovation Officer, suggests that while necessity has fostered increased innovation across industries through AI, Cloud, IoT, and more, other technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, may require more time and usage before corporations buy in and see their value. In this episode of Coffee with Mr. IoT, Nishita and Robert discuss how organizations, and people alike, have responded to this period of change and what the future holds for innovation in a virtual environment.

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Digital Twin Ola takes over the Virtual Factory: Chat with the app creators

We are excited to announce the launch of our Virtual Factory 3.0 app. In this panel discussion, hosted by Deloitte's Chief Futurist Robert Schmid and our creative team, we discuss how the Virtual Factory was envisioned, designed, built and animated; which Digital Thread use cases it demonstrates; and how the app's users can leverage this tool to better understand and explain key concepts of Digital Thread to their Product Development & Manufacturing organizations. The Virtual Factory by Deloitte app simulates the three phases of a rubber duck product's lifecycle—design, manufacturing, and life—interconnected across the Digital Thread. The main use case is the Digital Twin and how it helps reduce product time-to-market and overall cost of service while enriching the customer experience.

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Jim Heppelmann: Augmenting a new reality

While many knowledge workers have quickly adapted to remote work thanks to video and teleconferencing, that’s not usually a feasible option for frontline workers such as those in factories. Jim Heppelmann, CEO of PTC, discusses how technologies like augmented and virtual reality, IoT, and software as a service are making digital collaboration possible for workers who typically need to be onsite. PTC aims to be at the forefront of these digital innovations through solutions such as Vuforia Chalk and their new Reality Lab. He also discusses how the company is pivoting their marquee industrial event, LiveWorx, to a one-day virtual conference, and shares insight into what’s top of mind for CEOs navigating a post-coronavirus world.

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Coffee with Mr. IoT: Rick Leblanc–The computer’s eyes have it

These days if your eyes can see something, it’s very likely a computer sees it, too. Image and facial recognition technologies are expanding as IP cameras become more ubiquitous. Mr. IoT discusses the latest trends and capabilities with Rick Leblanc who leads business development for Deloitte Canada’s Horizon solution—a computer vision platform. In retail and hospitality, facial recognition is often used to augment VIP customers’ experience. There are also use cases for industrial sectors such as worker safety, remote monitoring, and asset tracking. In the aftermath of COVID-19, thermal cameras are also being considered for checking temperatures as people return to work.

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Yana Welinder: Can smart home devices be smart and useable?

Smart home devices are becoming more common in households, but consumers may not be getting the most value due to poor user design. Yana Welinder hopes to change that through Kraftful, the company she co-founded that’s focused on developing user-friendly interfaces for connected products. She and Robert discuss what makes a seamless onboarding user experience, whether light switches will continue to exist, and how they approach designs for consumers vs commercial clients.

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Ed Kuzemchak: Clearing up fog, edge and narrowband IoT

Ed Kuzemchak, founder and CTO of Software Design Solutions, chats with Robert on the impact lower cost, more robust, and better processing technology and hardware have had on the evolution and adoption of IoT. They also discuss the how edge and fog compare, the “food pyramid” of devices, balancing horsepower vs. battery life, and whether 5G is stealing too much thunder from NB (narrowband) IoT.

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Alex Veystel: Can technology by socially responsible?

Are technologies like cloud and IoT helping companies be more sustainable and socially responsible? Alex Veystel, Chief Strategy Officer for RampRate, talks about the pros and cons and why some corporations may be better at factoring in social responsibility when making technology decisions. He and Robert also discuss how businesses can optimize purchase decisions and more efficiently allocate resources, latency, and performance.

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Steve Hatfield: The flexible future of work

Remote work has become a norm for many white collar jobs. With numerous people now sheltering in place, other organizations that traditionally rely on onsite teams, such as manufacturers, are also learning how to operate virtually. Steve Hatfield, Deloitte Consulting principal and global leader for Future of Work, chats with Mr. IoT on how companies are rethinking collaboration and productivity; considerations around having the right infrastructure, technology, and policies; and even how to help foster workers’ physical and mental wellbeing. He also addresses how the future workplace may shift to focus more on innovation and community building.

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Kelly Marchese: 3D printing to protect lives

Additive manufacturing technologies like 3D printing have become instrumental innovations helping fill a shortage on personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus pandemic. Kelly Marchese, who leads Deloitte Consulting LLP’s Supply Chain and Network Operations practice for Government & Public Services, talks about one organization, America Makes, who is providing FDA-approved PPE designs for makers and facilitating getting equipment to those in need. Deloitte has been working with America Makes to provide infrastructure support ranging from website designs to strategic communications to regulatory advice.

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Rafa Calderon: Finding a silver lining for supply chains

Even in times of crisis there are opportunities to innovate and reinvent, says Rafa Calderon, Deloitte Global Synchronized Planning & Fulfillment Leader, and co-author of the recent "COVID-19: Managing supply chain risk and disruption" report. In this episode he chats with Mr. IoT on how companies might need to rethink their supply chain operations in light of the global pandemic, how the food supply chain in particular has been impacted possibly for the long term, the importance of data modeling to anticipate demand, and how collaboration between corporations, government and local communities will be critical to developing sustainable solutions.

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Coffee with Mr. IoT: Dan Helfrich–“Scaling relatability” and being an authentic leader

Leading a team of more than 56,000 people can be challenging in the best of times. During crisis and uncertainty, openness and authenticity are even more critical. In this episode, Dan Helfrich, Deloitte Consulting Chairman and CEO, shares his take on being a relatable leader, what it means to rely on the “internet of leadership,” and why he advocates for “detonating” the status quo. Leading a team of more than 56,000 people can be challenging in the best of times. During crisis and uncertainty, openness and authenticity are even more critical. In this episode, Dan Helfrich, Deloitte Consulting Chairman and CEO, shares his take on being a relatable leader, what it means to rely on the “internet of leadership,” and why he advocates for “detonating” the status quo.

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Marjolein Schipper: What’s in a name? Industry 4.0 vs Smart Factory vs Society 5.0

What’s the difference between “Industry 4.0” and “Smart Factory”? And what about the emergence of “Society 5.0”? In this episode recorded at IoT Solutions World Congress in October, Robert chats with Marjolein Schipper a manager in Deloitte Netherlands focusing on emerging tech in manufacturing and chemicals. They also discuss how technologies such as IoT are not only improving operational efficiencies but also enabling new business models and revenue streams. They also offer advice for organizations struggling with the paradox of recognizing the need to go digital but not knowing how to get started.

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Jean-Louis Rassineaux: IoT and airplanes vs. submarines

On this episode Robert chats with Jean-Louis Rassineaux, Deloitte France’s Aerospace & Defense sector leader, on the complexities and scale of manufacturing aircrafts, which may only be rivaled by the manufacturing of submarines. They discuss how connective technologies like IoT are helping collect and analyze data to better track parts, anticipate and schedule maintenance, and source materials. They also explore how technologies are changing the airport experience and when we might really expect to see flying taxis.

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Sam Riemer: Serving the public through connected solutions

Making a positive impact on others has always been a priority for Sam Riemer. As a manager in Deloitte Consulting’s Government & Public Services practice she’s collaborated on projects that marry technology with humanitarian-oriented efforts such as helping developing nations use data to better identify investment needs and develop infrastructure for supplying energy and clean water and even creating emergency response communications on Zika. She and Mr. IoT discuss some of the challenges working in low-connectivity environments and finding creative workarounds using drones and satellite technology.

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Dave Kuder: AI may be omnipresent, but is it omniscient?

HAL9000 is not quite a reality but what does “artificial intelligence” mean today? Dave Kuder, Deloitte’s leader for Cognitive Insights & Engagement, joins Mr. IoT to discuss what capabilities are possible with today’s computing power, how ready are businesses to adopt, and what roles humans must still play. They also explore AI’s impact on the data dependent insurance industry and how it’s transforming ways to evaluate riskiness and set pricing.

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Mark Cotteleer: Measuring technology “positivity”

Many companies are embracing new technologies like IoT, robotics, and AI as good for business. But how do workers who have to adopt these technologies feel? A recent Deloitte's global survey examined individuals’ feelings about the effects specific technologies have on their lives and careers – do they expect help or hindrance? Survey author Mark Cotteleer, Managing Director for Supply Chain & Network Operations, breaks down the study’s findings with Mr. IoT, sharing which technologies had the highest positive rating, what factors drive positivity, geographic differences in perception, and how to best manage technology anxiety.

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Scott Buchholz: Disrupting with digital twins

Which emerging technologies are most likely to disrupt businesses in the next 18-24 month? Mr. IoT chats with Scott Buchholz, Research Director, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and lead for Deloitte’s annual Tech Trends report, on the latest findings. They discuss how technologies like IoT, cloud, and AI are augmenting digital twin capabilities with enhanced data connectivity, computing and storage. They also explore the “what ifs” in the next evolution of AI—emotional intelligence—and how “human experience platforms” could, for better or worse, revolutionize human connections at scale.

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Stephen Statler: Postage-sized, self-powered connected retail

Imagine a computerized sensor on clothes that can track, calculate and broadcast wear and care or consumer demand. Now imagine the sensor can power itself off radio waves in the atmosphere and is only the size of a postage stamp. It may sound like science fiction, but semiconductor company Wiliot is making it a reality. Hear more from Stephen Statler, SVP of marketing & business development, aka “Mr. Beacon” as he shares with Mr. IoT how this new technology can help brands better track retail activity, manufacture more sustainable products, and shift from a supply chain to a “demand chain” strategy.

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Pierre Harter: Taking flight with the factory of the future

Manufacturing large aircraft structures such as a 737 fuselage can require tracking and installing tens of thousands of parts. That’s why Spirit Aerosystems, the world’s largest first-tier aerostructures manufacturer, has piloted (no pun intended) new technologies like IoT to improve factory operations. Pierre Harter, Director of Advanced Manufacturing Strategy, chats with Mr. IoT about the impact and how they measure success, lessons learned, and the importance of focusing on change management to ensure successful adoption by the “real customers”—the factory floor workers.

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Subrata Roy: How smart factory solutions take the guesswork out of manufacturing

A common manufacturing challenge is getting the right materials to the right location at the right time.

In this episode, Subrata Roy, managing director, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and AWS IoT leader, shares how cloud-based IoT solutions like Smart Factory Fabric are helping businesses better track assets, monitor machines, and gain insights from all the data being collected. Just as important as the technology is an emphasis on user-centered design and change management to facilitate adoption.

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Shelley Zalis: The business imperative of diversity

According to the World Economic Forum, it will take 202 years to close the global gender pay gap. Shelley Zalis, CEO of The Female Quotient, has made it a mission to speed up that timeline.

While at AWS ReInvent, she and Mr. IoT discuss her approach with “equality hacks,” tackling unconscious bias in the workplace, bringing emotion to the boardroom, and what inspired her to start the #SeeHer movement.

Learn more about Deloitte’s work with The Female Quotient on promoting equity for all.

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Joanna Pena-Bickley: Alexa, what makes a good IoT experience?

At AWS ReInvent 2019, Joanna Pena-Bickley, Head of Research & Design for Alexa devices at Amazon, joins us to discuss harnessing the “magic” in technology and the role of design in making technology more accessible and relatable for all humans.

They chat about inspiring work in the “sexy” industrial IoT space, the increasing adoption of machine learning and AI, as well as aspirations to democratize and demystify technology through inclusive design.

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Prukalpa Sankar: How to stop being bad at data and learn to trust it

Many large enterprises struggle with harnessing the full value that’s hidden in the massive amounts of data they collect, according to Prukalpa Sankar. She’s the cofounder of Atlan, a company that aims to “democratize data inside organizations by creating a home for data teams.”

In her chat with Mr. IoT, Prukalpa discusses the need for diversified collaborative data teams to help extract, transform, validate, and load data into detailed reports and recommendations. Prukalpa and Robert discuss how to allow more democratic access to data and build trust between data teams and decision makers, such as IT managers, OT managers, researchers, C-suite executives, designers, and others, to ultimately gather usable, timely insights from vast data lakes.

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Gary Bolles: Navigating the future of work and learning

In this interview with Mr. IoT, which took place at the fourth annual Singularity University global summit, Gary defines work as problem-solving. He also uses “PACE” as an acronym to describe the four key transferable traits in life and career:

• Problem-solving
• Adaptivity (what might be called a growth mindset)
• Creativity
• Empathy

Hear from Gary on how to create a personal “user manual” for accessing meaningful work and learning opportunities in a digital work economy.

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Optimizing your workforce’s hot, warm, and cold bodies

Mr. IoT attended the fourth annual Singularity University global summit in San Francisco, where he spoke with global leader for Human Capital, Deloitte LLP, about the “Workforce of the Future.”

She redefines the workforce as a mix of full-time employees (hot bodies), gig workers (warm bodies), and automation (cold bodies), and she talks about how companies can prepare for the shifts that technology is creating. Robert discuss the challenge of optimizing work to get maximum human output, productivity, and ROI by ensuring humans are doing what we do best—creating, innovating, connecting, and establishing relationships.

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Sean Hinton: Accessing the power of AI to create the workforce of the future

By 2023, 50 percent of the world’s workforce will need to either be reskilled or upskilled. How can connected technology help solve this challenge?

Sean Hinton, CEO and founder of SkyHive, discusses the world’s first deep learning technology that focuses purely on the reskilling of companies and the workforce. Hear how SkyHive’s technology assesses every job in the labor market and its evolving skill sets in real time to find efficiencies and correlations in the movement of human capital.

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