Telefónica today launched ‘Thinking Things’, the first Internet of Things (IoT) product that enables mainstream consumers to connect almost any device wirelessly to the internet.

Thinking Things is a set of low-cost modular devices fitted with different sensors which connect to the cloud, and enable users to tap into all the possibilities offered by the Internet of Things. It is a plug-and-play solution that enables users to develop their own smart solutions without any programming knowledge or having to install additional infrastructure.

The first Thinking Things pack to be marketed by Telefónica is the Environmental Pack, a set of modules that enables users to monitor in real time and remotely the temperature, humidity and light intensity of a given place, and to program automated tasks.

A whole host of additional modules such as presence, pressure, humidity and temperature sensors; impact meters; audio and LED notification modules; and timers can also be added.

The modules are pieced together by simply fitting them on top of each other like pieces of Lego®. The device then automatically connects with the Thinking Things software platform in the cloud and starts to monitor all the defined parameters and execute the pre-programmed commands.

Francisco Jariego, Telefónica I+D’s Director of Industrial Internet of Things, said:”this is a major step in Telefónica’s journey into the Internet of Things. Our aim is for Thinking Things Open to become an open ecosystem in which any object or device can be connected to the internet”.

Thinking Things uses open hardware developed in collaboration with Arduino and 2G connectivity available in Europe, the United States and Latin America. It provides an API that allows developers to create their own IoT solutions (via apps or online) and increase the possibilities of the modules. It is an affordable solution with prices starting at 90 euros (http://www.thinkingthings.telefonica.com/shop/), thereby putting the possibilities offered by M2M technology within everybody’s reach.

Thinking Things is an important part of Telefónica’s strategic investment in the IoT and M2M, an area which major IT consultants estimate will grow in excess of 2,400% between now and 2020.

About Telefónica

Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalisation and number of customers. With its best in class mobile, fixed and broadband networks, and innovative portfolio of digital solutions, Telefónica is transforming itself into a ‘Digital Telco’, a company that will be even better placed to meet the needs of its customers and capture new revenue growth.

The company has a significant presence in 24 countries and a customer base that amounts more than 316 million accesses around the world. Telefónica has a strong presence in Spain, Europe and Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy. Telefónica is a 100% listed company, with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders. Its share capital currently comprises 4.551.024.586 ordinary shares traded on the Spanish Stock Market (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia) and on those in London, New York, Lima, and Buenos Aires.