Intel CEO Brian Krzanich used the stage at his first CES keynote address to announce the company's new smart product lines, and in addition revealed Intel Edison -- a 400MHz computer board that fits into an SD card.
The Edison chip supports Linux and includes a dual-core CPU, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE (low energy) and an integrated app store. It will be available in "the middle of 2014" according to Krzanich, and will allow creators of hardware products to enhance the functionality of their existing or new systems by incorporating Edison's processing power.
An example given was developed by Rest Devices at MIT and is called the Mimo Baby Monitor. Essentially, it's a onesie featuring a "Turtle" device full of sensors that monitors heart rate and how a baby is breathing, as well as how much and when the child moves around in the night.
Edison powers the system and connects it to other Edison-powered devices in the home, such as a "smart milk bottle". If the system detects the baby has woken up for feeding, it will alert the milk bottle and begin warming it ready for use.
Speaking to Wired.co.uk on the CES show floor, Rest Devices said the system is going through testing for a European launch that can be expected in "the next six months". It will cost $199 in the US (about £120) and includes three onesies, a Turtle and a device that functions as a charging station.
Intel gave Rest Devices stage time for its product but explained that it will offer $1.3 million (£792,000) in "Make It Wearable" prizes for developers and companies who best-utilise the Edison system to make their products smarter and, crucially, wearable.
When asked, Intel would not confirm to Wired.co.uk a price point for its Edison chip.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
