Low-power board barking up the right tree

13th March 2017

Mick Elliott

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tinyTILE is an Intel Curie module based board that has been created by Farnell element14 in partnership with Intel. This new board has been specifically designed for use in wearable and IoT designs for consumer and industrial edge products. The low power board offers features that are ideal for "always-on" applications, such as social media, sports and fitness activities, as it enables quick and easy identification of action and motions. One company has already designed a connected collar to measure well-being in dogs.

The module is packaged into a very small form factor measuring approx. 35 x 26mm and runs a software platform created specifically for the Intel Curie module.

As such, tinyTILE can be programmed using either the Arduino IDE, Intel’s own software – Intel Curie Open Developer Kit (ODK), or Anaren Atmosphere – a cloud-based ecosystem that offers a complete end-to-end IoT solution. Each of these environments provide unlimited development possibilities with the tinyTILE.

With a general trend in emerging technologies for ever smaller design envelopes, developers are facing the challenge of increasing features and functionality whilst reducing product weight and size. With its compact design, tinyTILE is a solution for applications where space is limited and is the perfect board to develop wearable and IoT products.

Key features of this new board include: compute functionality, motion sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, pattern matching capabilities for optimised analysis of sensor data and battery charging capabilities.

James Jackson, Vice President and General Manager of Intel’s Maker & Innovator Group said, “At Intel, we are excited about tinyTILE for two main reasons. First, it is a great development board that provides access to the full potential of the Intel Curie module in a small, mobile-friendly form factor that can easily be integrated into products. Additionally, tinyTILE can be modified by the custom design services from Premier Farnell to enable highly optimised solutions.”

tinyTILE has already had its first success with the start-up company Jagger & Lewis, which is dedicated to enhancing wellness in households globally.

Jagger & Lewis has developed a ‘connected collar’ designed to improve the quality of life for our canine companions through a better understanding of their activity – yes, a waggy tail does mean happiness!

Richard Curtin, Director of Strategic Alliances at Premier Farnell said, “We are incredibly proud to be working with Jagger & Lewis. As a start up, they have put boundless energy, imagination and creativity into developing the connected collar. With a clear passion, they have fused well-being and technology together and we are excited to see the effect with man’s best friend”.

tinyTILE gives developers entry level access to begin developing IoT and wearables products at a lower cost, opening out the possibilities for future developments.