If there were any doubts that IBM would put its cognitive computer Watson to work on the Internet of Things, it would be tough to argue now.

IBM announced October 3 that it would not only put Watson to work on IoT, but would also ante up $200 million of a $3 billion total investment – the most IBM has ever spent in Europe – to open a new global headquarters in Munich for Watson's IoT business. The goal is for Watson to develop new IoT capabilities around Blockchain and security.

Then there are eager IBM clients who are already driving outcomes by using Watson IoT technologies to draw insights from billions of sensors embedded in machines, cars, drones, ball bearings, pieces of equipment and even hospitals.

IBM executives say there is escalating demand from customers who are looking to transform their operations using a combination of IoT and artificial intelligence technologies. Today, IBM counts 6,000 clients globally who are tapping Watson IoT solutions and services, up from 4,000 at the end of last year.

The Watson IoT headquarters will be home to the first cognitive IoT "collaboratories" – a word coined by IBM to describe its hands-on industry labs where clients and partners can work together with IBM's 1,000 Munich-based researchers, engineers, developers and business experts to drive collaborative innovation in, healthcare as well as in other industries.

[Also: IBM Watson takes analytics prowess overseas: Supercomputer to work on big data and genomics in Italy]

"IBM is making tremendous strides to ensure that businesses around the world are able to take advantage of this incredible period of technological transformation and develop new products and services that really change people's lives," Harriet Green, who heads IBM's Watson IoT business, said in a statement. "By inviting our clients and partners to join us in Munich, we are opening up our talent and technologies to help deliver on the promise of IoT and establishing a global hotbed for collaborative innovation," she added.

Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia is one example of IoT work already underway in healthcare. The health system, part of Jefferson Health, has more than 900 acute care beds, and it is working with IBM to launch cognitive hospital rooms powered by IBM Watson IoT.

The idea is to enhance the patient experience and help bring deeper levels of personalized, agile and responsive care. With the ability to interact with in-room speakers that are connected to the IBM Watson IoT Platform, patients can take control of their hospital stay – operating lights, window blinds, asking questions about hospital facilities or even getting background information on their physician.

Twitter: @Bernie_HITN
Email the writer: bernie.monegain@himssmedia.com

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