Petra Sundström, Husqvarna: With IoT, don’t adopt a strategy of wait and see

Speaking at TECHNIA’s PLM Innovation Forum, Sundström said, “We don’t know exactly how and when, but we know it will happen based on technical developments and financial benefits. Therefore, it is extremely important that we take the initiative and move ahead.”

Why not wait and see what works?

“To wait and keep talking about future business models is a dangerous course of action: We must take a more experimental path and place the technical foundations so that we and our customers can work and see how we can shape this development together.”

What kind of IoT systems are you envisioning for the outdoors?

“In 2016, we will launch ‘The Smart Garden’ which features interconnected products.  For instance, an automatic watering system and a robotic lawn mower will work together in a system service solution.

Another system service that we offer for the more professional customer is the Husqvarna Fleet Service program where smart sensors on products will help professional landscapers to optimize and manage their fleet of products and tools.”

How is PLM part of the picture?

“IoT is not only a part of product development. It is also a technology that can assist PLM in general in terms of connecting products that are able to ‘talk’ and can be tracked throughout the full life-cycle of the product.”

What are the major obstacles to the development of IoT?

Generally speaking, we need common standards. Another hurdle is the attitude. It is necessary to understand that we are entering a world of new infrastructures. Kodak is a classic example of not understanding the impact of new technology on changing the infrastructure at large, on people acquiring new habits, and on new business opportunities. For instance, Kodak built kiosks where you could print your digital photos at a time when people found it more convenient to share photos as digital files.

TECHNIA is part of a joint venture InUse (formerly OptimData), which focuses on IoT: See www.inuse.eu

About Petra Sundström & Husqvarna

Petra Sundström is the Senior Project Manager of the Connectivity Hub, which coordinates and leads Husqvarna’s Connectivity and Internet of Things development.

Husqvarna Group is a world-leading producer of outdoor power products such as chainsaws, trimmers, robotic lawn mowers and garden tractors. It is also a European leader in garden watering products. The Group has more than 14,000 employees in 40 countries.