Internet of Things

Real-time monitoring and data collection to harness valuable insights

From smart doorbells and fitness trackers to smart meters, the Internet of Things (IoT) has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. Continuous connectivity enhances user convenience, offering features such as such as remote monitoring, automated control of household devices, personalised health recommendations, energy saving through intelligent systems, and real-time data analysis for informed decision-making – and making everyday tasks simpler and more efficient.

For companies offering technology solutions, IoT presents new commercial opportunities. Devices connected to the internet can offer increased functionality, enable enhanced data analytics to be performed, and support communication and interaction with remote systems and infrastructure.

The growing demand for interconnected devices allows businesses to innovate and expand their product lines, tapping into new markets. By leveraging edge intelligence, advanced data analytics and continuous connectivity, companies can develop cutting-edge products that not only meet consumer needs but also drive innovation and growth. Example applications include real-time condition-monitoring, predictive maintenance and fleet management.


Real-world challenges

Redtail Telematics

Black box telematics devices have become commonplace in automotive insurance, where the primary benefit is a reduction in risk for insurers, which translates to reduced premiums for drivers as they are incentivized to improve their risk profiles.

Plextek have designed both telematics devices and the supporting server back-end systems. The telematics devices monitor driving behaviours, providing insurers with crucial insights for risk assessment. The design necessitated close attention to the key challenges of low power consumption, low unit cost, robust firmware, and cellular connectivity – all of which had to be optimised to meet the requirements.

Additionally, we developed the cloud systems capable of efficiently storing and managing vast quantities of data and securely streaming it to our clients’ data centres. Here, the key challenges were data integrity, security, and reliable scalable infrastructure catering for an ever-increasing user base. Today, our technology is deployed in hundreds of thousands of instances worldwide and managed by our spin-out company Redtail Telematics.

Developing a sensor array for harsh environments

Damaged underground electrical wires can lead to hazardous situations, potentially causing sparks that could ignite surrounding gases, resulting in exploding service manholes which are often in highly populated urban locations.

Recognising the critical need for early detection of damage, a client sought a system capable of detecting the early signs of risk and transmitting warnings before situations escalated – particularly crucial during winter when gritted roads lead to salination of water which in turn increases corrosion damage to underground wires.

Developing a sensor array suitable for such harsh environments presented significant challenges. However, the Plextek solution went beyond conventional methods. It incorporated a pioneering power harvesting technique, using locally available sources to extend the sensor battery lifespan from months to years, providing a real-time predictive maintenance solution to direct engineers to suspect installations before the risk of explosion develops.

Sensor Monitoring of Manhole Infrastructures

The Plextek advantage

A sensor which monitors manhole infrastructures.
  • Scalability

    Building a system that can seamlessly grow with an increasing user base.

  • Security

    Absolutely essential for the modern IoT system, and with increasing reliance on the technology, security is fundamental.

  • Edge intelligence

    Making autonomous decisions at the device.

  • Data analytics

    Gaining insight into harvested data.

  • Predictive maintenance

    Taking preventative action before a problem happens.

  • Real-time monitoring

    Seeing what’s going on from anywhere in the connected word.

  • Sensor fusion

    Combining sensor data for a result that is more than the sum of the parts.

  • Low-power design

    For long battery life, reducing every nano amp is critical.

  • Remote management for over-the-air updates

    Systems should be upgradable without needing a physical visit.

  • Wireless networking

    The plethora of radio protocols is growing all the time, so the know-how to choose the most appropriate is essential.


As technology continues to advance, so does the potential for connected systems. Previously hindered by connectivity and scalability challenges, recent strides in cloud computing, edge intelligence and data connectivity have significantly enhanced the capabilities we can deliver.

Dr David Kyle, Principal Consultant
Dr David Kyle

Principal Consultant


What sets us apart when it comes to IoT?

Plextek specialises in designing customised IoT solutions that precisely meet our clients’ needs.

Our expertise enables us to develop tailored systems that provide flexibility and functionality, seamlessly integrating sensor technologies within comprehensive IoT architectures. We prioritise efficiency in optimising for long battery life and low-SWaP. Additionally, our workflow is enhanced by our proprietary generic IoT framework, facilitating swift development and reducing time to market for our clients.

As the coordinating partner, we were impressed by Plextek's expertise in data fusion. The team effectively researched standards and demonstrated a solid understanding of data fusion concepts, supporting the customer's needs in deconstructing standard sets. Despite challenging time constraints, Plextek delivered a well-constructed and valuable report that exceeded expectations. We look forward to further collaboration in developing data fusion architecture with Plextek.

Thomas Howe

Senior Principal Navigation and Seamanship, BMT

Contact Plextek

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