Sun Unveils SPOT Java Powered Objects
Three years ago at CES, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates introduced SPOT technology for building connected personal objects, such as alarm clocks and wrist watches that deliver information on demand. Now, Sun Microsystems is building its own SPOT platform based upon Java and offering it to embedded programmers.
The Sun SPOT Project -- short for "Small Programmable Object Technology" rather than Microsoft's "Smart Personal Objects Technology" -- consists of a Java 2 Micro Edition virtual machine that can run directly on a CPU without an operating system.
Sun is pushing the technology for "sensor applications" such as medical monitoring, package tracking, and interactive home automation. Other potential uses include swarm intelligence, experimentation with and deployment of mesh networks, custom robotics and the development of new types of gestural interfaces.
"Computing is no longer just about PCs, laptops or even cell phones, but rather about the promise of pervasive computing -- which will largely be enabled by sensors," said Sun senior vice president Glenn Edens. "This announcement will allow Java -- just as it did with cell phones and the Internet -- to play a pivotal role in enabling the coming wave of sensor driven computing."
Unlike Microsoft's SPOT, which has largely floundered in the consumer market, Sun is targeting universities, research organizations and hobbyists with the platform itself rather than working with companies to build devices. A Sun SPOT kit will be available for purchase in May, although pricing was not detailed.
"Educators are already using Sun SPOTs and Java technology for classes on embedded programming, as well as in design classes for new consumer electronics," Sun said.
Each kit will include two stand-alone Sun SPOTs devices and one base station. Each SPOT is powered by a 32-bit ARM9 CPU, 512 KB RAM and 4MB Flash memory, 2.4 GHz radio and USB interface. The processor and sensor boards are not much larger than a quarter in order to provide developers with as much flexibility as possible.
Sun has also established a special Web site for SPOT developers to collaborate and share ideas.