Dive Brief:
- IBM will invest $200 million in its Watson Internet of Things global headquarters in Munich, Germany.
- A series of hands-on labs, or IoT “collaboratories,” will allow Munich-based researchers, engineers, developers and business experts to jointly work on innovations in healthcare and other industries.
- The investment is in response to growing demand for IoT and artificial intelligence solutions to marketplace problems.
Dive Insight:
New engagements IBM announced this week include Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia, where smart hospital rooms are being powered by Watson IoT, Netherlands-based Aerialtronics, which is equipping drones with IoT to assist in aerial inspections, and Schaeffler's plans to digitize its entire automotive and industrial supply business using IBM’s cloud-based IoT technologies.
The Watson IoT headquarters is IBM’s largest-ever investment in Europe and marks the first time that an IBM business unit has been headquartered outside the U.S. IBM selected Germany because of its global leadership in manufacturing and industry, Bret Greenstein, vice president of IBM Watson Internet of Things, told CIO.
The $200 million is part of the $3 billion IBM has committed to bring Watson cognitive computing to the IoT.