Itron Idea Labs

Itron Idea Labs Takes Barcelona at the Mobile World Congress

February 27, 2017

Among the more than 100,000 attendees at the Mobile World Congress 2017 is the Itron Idea Labs team. And alongside the mobile giants we are demonstrating new technologies relevant to our industry.

The Itron Idea Labs team is in Barcelona to support the cool sensor technology developed by Itron’s gas team at the GSMA Innovation City in collaboration with Telefonica. We have pressure, methane and temperature sensors connected to LTE-M. LTE-M is an emerging standard for IoT. It provides lower costs, lower power and lower data rate. Other characteristics such as half duplex, single antenna and limited block size will let the more engineering inclined to understand why this standard is relevant and use cases. Gas pressure and temperate sensors can ensure integrity for utility infrastructure and provide real-time monitoring for the safety of consumers and their communities.

The demonstrations at the Innovation City this year are all selected to showcase products and concepts that employ the new LTE-M technology for lower-cost, longer range and better battery life. I think LTE-M can be a great addition to Itron’s technology toolbox and can help all of us create a more resourceful world.

By Roberto Aiello


Managing Director, Itron Idea Labs


Dr. Roberto Aiello is the managing director of the Itron Idea Labs and responsible for new business innovation at Itron, including Internet of Things. His previous experience includes managing wireless research at Interval Research, Paul Allen's technology incubator and technology transfer at Disney Research. He is an advisor to Google Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) and is a Lean Startup expert who serves as a mentor at the Cleantech Open and Startup Weekend. Dr. Aiello also founded two venture-funded, wireless semiconductor companies and one web/mobile startup. Dr. Aiello worked as a physicist at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center and Superconducting Super Collider.