Author: Connected World
As data volumes continue to grow across scientific research, so does the need for advanced computing infrastructure to manage, analyze, and connect information from myriad sources. Now, a new high performance data facility aims to help researchers unlock discoveries faster by combining AI (artificial intelligence), high-performance computing, and large-scale data management. The facility is supported through partnerships that include Virginia Tech and the U.S. Dept. of Energy. The high-performance data facility will serve as a national hub for scientific data, enabling researchers to access and analyze information from laboratories, experiments, and simulations across the country. By bringing together computing power,…
Fact of the Week: Rail freight wagon tracking devices will reach nearly 1.4 million by 2030. That’s a 60% increase from 875,000 units in 2025. Berg Insight forecasts the global installed base of tracking devices for rail freight wagons will grow from 875,000 units at the end of 2025 to nearly 1.4 million by 2030, highlighting the growing demand for realtime visibility across rail freight operations. The growth reflects a broader digital transformation taking place across the rail industry. Rail operators and wagon owners are increasingly investing in telematics solutions that provide location tracking as well as realtime data on…
As AI (artificial intelligence) and LLMs (large language models) continue to transform software development, universities are investing in research that explores new ways to help developers build, maintain, and secure increasingly complex software systems. As one example, Virginia Tech computer science researcher Muhammad Ali Gulzar recently received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to advance research on how large language models understand and interpret software code. His project, titled “Foundations of Semantic Code Understanding by Large Language Models for Software Maintenance,” seeks to improve the ability of AI systems to reason about code in ways that more closely align with…
In industrial and rugged environments, batteries have long been treated as a necessary part of connected technology. But for many organizations, batteries introduce a hidden cost that extends far beyond the device itself: maintenance, downtime, and user frustration. When companies invest in connected sensors, wearables, or monitoring systems, the goal is usually to improve productivity, visibility, or reliability. Yet too often, the technology creates a new burden. Someone has to charge the battery. Someone has to replace it. Someone has to remember when it’s running low. That burden becomes a barrier to adoption and scale. We’ve seen firsthand how this…
In this conversation, Connected World Editorial Director Peggy Smedley gets right to the point asking Twisthink CEO Dave Moelker practical questions about what it really takes to modernize automation. Dave explains how robotics and hardware teams can add secure wireless connectivity to legacy machines, run AI at the edge for high‑speed vision, and turn raw realtime data into predictive insights that prevent downtime. He doesn’t shy away from the tough issues, mixed‑vendor environments, fragmented data, and the challenge manufacturers face when trying to scale a single automation cell into a full factory rollout. Dave also shares how Twisthink’s human‑centered design…
As major international events continue to grow in scale and influence, researchers are examining how global competitions and new innovations can shape tourism, business, and economic activity. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, new research highlights how success evolves in a new era of work. Researchers at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business have explored the relationship between international sporting success and economic performance, particularly within tourism markets. Their findings suggest that strong performances in events like the FIFA World Cup can increase global awareness of a country, strengthen destination branding, and create opportunities for tourism-related businesses. Here is…
AI spending will reach $2.59 trillion in 2026. That’s 47% increase. @Gartner forecasts worldwide AI (artificial intelligence) spending will reach $2.59 trillion in 2026, representing a massive 47% increase compared to the previous year. The growth reflects how quickly organizations are moving from experimenting with AI tools to making long-term investments in infrastructure, software, and services that support enterprise-scale adoption. But that is only part of the story. According to Gartner, much of the current spending is still being driven by technology vendors and hyperscalers building out the foundation for AI systems. AI infrastructure alone is expected to account for…
For all robot aficionados, this popped up in the June 7, 2026, morning edition of JSTOR Daily, highlighting an article written in May by Livia Gershon: “Did the First Robot Come from Oz?” If so, then I nominate it for the title of “The Great Grandad of Artificially Intelligent Robots” and have gained a newfound appreciation for foundational literature such as The Wizard of Oz series. I never thought of The Wizard of Oz (book or movie) as a piece of science fiction, but this article has me now appreciating it as such. What Frank Baum, in 1907, created has…
Last month Connected World Editorial Director Peggy Smedley interviewed Twisthink CEO Dave Moelker about the importance of contextual data for OEMs (original-equipment manufacturers). In this conversation she asks Moelker to highlight Twisthink’s strengths around strategy, teamwork, depth of talent, human-centered design, data architecture, workflow integration, and digital product acceleration when it comes to helping clients move from point A to point B. CW: How should OEMs prioritize which connected-product features to build first? DM: It is all about user value. Understand where your connected product creates tangible value and how it impacts the day-to-day workflows of your users. In many…
Fact of the Week: DERs Target 32 Million by 2030 Virtual power plants are becoming a major force in the energy industry. In fact, Berg Insight estimates the installed base of residential DERs (distributed energy resources) connected to VPP (virtual power plant) platforms reached 13.9 million across Europe and North America at the end of 2025. These systems include smart thermostats, EV (electric vehicle) chargers, home batteries, heat pumps, and rooftop solar systems working together to support the electric grid. But that is only part of the story. According to the report, the residential VPP market is expected to continue…