The Mr. Beacon Ambient IoT Podcast

Just a few weeks after the European Union finalized the first Digital Product Passport standard, JTC 24 Chair Thomas Knothe returns to the Mr. Beacon Podcast to explain what it means for manufacturers, consumers, and the future of AI-driven commerce. We discuss batteries, circular economy goals, product transparency, repairability, security, and how Digital Product Passports could become foundatio...

This week on the Mr. Beacon Podcast, I talk with Art Tkachenko about enabling Bluetooth devices to communicate directly with satellites. We explore Hubble’s hybrid terrestrial and satellite IoT network, ultra-low-cost global asset tracking, beamforming technology, AI-assisted engineering, and the future of Ambient IoT. It’s a fascinating look at how space-based connectivity could dramatically expa...

What is AI actually good for? Curt Schacker, Co-founder of TrackVision, joins me to answer that question with a real-world example that will resonate with anyone who has ever stared down a mountain of pre-project groundwork. The conversation explores where AI genuinely delivers, what it still cannot replace, and why the hardest part of any implementation might soon get a whole lot easier. Curt’s T...

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Dr. Karsten Königstein of Sinfosy explains how ambient IoT is transforming manufacturing by turning smartphones into powerful tracking tools. Using Bluetooth and QR codes, his team delivers real-time, precise visibility into assets and workflows. The result is a scalable, cost-effective system that replaces “search” with “find” across modern industrial en...

Dominique Guinard returns for his fifth appearance to explore C2PA, a rising standard for verifying digital content in the age of AI. As synthetic media becomes harder to detect, C2PA acts like a “nutrition label” for images, video, and text, revealing provenance and authenticity. We discuss how it works, who’s adopting it, and why it matters for misinformation, trust, and the future of digital me...

Andy Ellwood, Founder & CEO of Stretch, joins the Mr. Beacon Podcast to discuss reinventing grocery shopping with AI-powered insights. By turning shopping lists into smart comparison tools, Stretch helps consumers save time and money. Andy also shares lessons from building in public, the power of shopper-first design, and his vision for AI agents that advocate for consumers in retail. Andy’s T...

Simon Ford, founder of Blecon, returns to the Mr. Beacon Podcast to discuss a major milestone for the company and the broader IoT industry. Blecon’s new collaboration with Zebra enables existing frontline devices to become nodes in a Bluetooth network, unlocking asset tracking and operational visibility without new infrastructure. Simon and I explore practical use cases, supply-chain insights, and...

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Jenny Stanley, Founder of Appetite Creative, explains how connected packaging is transforming products into digital engagement channels. From QR codes and Digital Product Passports to data-driven marketing and post-purchase experiences, she shares real campaign insights, best practices, and emerging trends shaping retail and CPG. Discover how brands are u...

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, we speak with Infineon Distinguished Engineer, Steve Hanna, about security in Ambient IoT, AI, and connected systems. We explore real-world risks like counterfeit goods and privacy breaches, plus practical approaches such as cryptographic identity and low-power security. Steve also shares insights from standards work at IETF and Matter, along with career...

Retail’s next transformation isn’t driven by chatbots—it’s powered by scale, signals, and ambient IoT. In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Thaddeus Segura, SVP of Product at Vusion, the global leader in electronic shelf labels, joins again. They explore how tens of millions of connected labels are reshaping pricing, fulfillment, computer vision, and in-store intelligence—and why these real-...

In this episode, retail strategist Leon Nicholas—VP of Retail Insights & Solutions at Smurfit WestRock—breaks down the forces reshaping modern commerce. Leon explains why smart packaging, AI, automation, and shifting consumer behavior are transforming everything from supply chains to in-store experiences. He reveals how retailers can stay relevant, why “everything will be tagged,” and how smal...

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, we talk with Lawrence Richenstein, Founder and CEO of WePower Technologies, about how kinetic energy harvesting is powering the next wave of battery-free IoT devices. Lawrence shares WePower’s journey from startup rescue to innovation leader, unveiling self-powered sensors and switches that generate energy from motion—redefining sustainability, reliabilit...

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, José Cantera from the IOTA Foundation explains how IOTA’s distributed ledger technology is transforming global supply chains. We discuss the Tangle, the Twin project in Africa and the UK, and Europe’s Digital Product Passport, showing how open-source, energy-efficient infrastructure is building trust, transparency, and sustainability across industries — t...

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, we unpack Avery Dennison & Wiliot’s latest partnership, share lessons from coding with AI tools like Cursor, and explore Amazon’s Alexa+ upgrade. Then, we sit down with Ersan Günes, SVP IoT & Head of AI at Inpixon, to discuss Chirp technology, AI-powered tools like Ask Pixie, and how IoT and AI are converging to reshape factories, logistics, and s...

This week on the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Qualcomm’s new Dragon Wing Q6690 chip, bringing RFID to smartphones—a long-promised shift for auto-ID and IoT. We also speak with Jason Wu, CEO of InPlay, about the $1 Bluetooth beacon and how InPlay’s NanoBeacon technology lowers costs, simplifies deployment, and opens new markets from smart labels to cold chain monitoring. A timely look at IoT’s evolving econ...

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, we welcome back Amir Khoshniyati, Head of Strategy and Business Development at Wiliot. Amir shares insights on Gen 3 battery-free Bluetooth tags, why they’re a breakthrough for scaling ambient IoT, and how partnerships are key to success. We explore real-world use cases in retail, food, and logistics, plus Wiliot’s evolving ecosystem and vision for a conn...

This week on Mr. Beacon, we welcome back Giampaolo Marino of Energous to discuss the company’s new battery-free Bluetooth sensor and software platform, e-Compass. We’ll explore how ambient IoT is transforming cold chain, logistics, and asset tracking by reducing waste and cutting costs. From energy harvesting breakthroughs to defining what ambient IoT really means, this episode dives deep into the...

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Jérôme Vernet, VP of Sales at Dracula Technologies, reveals how inkjet-printed organic photovoltaics harvest energy from ambient light—even indoors—to power IoT devices without batteries. From smart building sensors to asset trackers, learn how this customizable, sustainable technology reduces maintenance, improves design flexibility, and even works in mo...

In this episode, Adhithi Aji, CEO of Adrich, shares how her company’s smart labels turn everyday products into connected devices that track usage and auto-replenish—no app needed. Discover how Adrich is driving ROI, sustainability, and consumer engagement through ambient IoT and AI. With 97% accuracy and real-world use cases from Clorox to olive oil, this is a conversation about technology, impact...

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Sze Wong—Co-Founder of Zenith Venture Studio—shares his journey from startup failures to building a venture studio that offers more than just funding. Learn how Sze helps non-technical founders turn deep industry knowledge into successful businesses, why boring problems are big opportunities, and how hands-on support beats traditional VC models. A must-li...

This week on the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Thomas Roedding, CEO of Narravero, unpacks the rise of Digital Product Passports (DPPs). We explore how DPPs drive compliance, sustainability, and customer engagement under EU regulations. Roedding shares Narravero’s hands-on work with over 200 clients and explains why DPPs are more than a legal necessity—they’re a powerful business tool. Learn how to let your...

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Kirsten Newquist, CEO of Identiv, shares her journey from Avery Dennison to leading one of the most innovative companies in IoT. Kirsten discusses Identiv’s unique engineering, new growth strategy, and their impact on healthcare and smart device solutions. She also highlights her values-driven leadership approach and offers personal insights on building r...

This week on Mr. Beacon, Mark Jacobstein—Co-Founder of Near Horizon and former colleague of Sam Altman—joins us to unpack the evolving venture landscape. We discuss AI’s impact, fundraising challenges, and how his venture builder model helps startups go from idea to execution. Mark shares personal lessons from Silicon Valley, career advice for the next generation, and why staying curious is key. A...

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Donna Lanzetta—CEO of Manna Fish Farms and Manna Seafood Blockchain—shares her journey from attorney to aquaculture pioneer. Discover how she’s building offshore fish farms, fighting seafood fraud with blockchain, and creating a transparent, sustainable supply chain. From ocean to plate, Donna’s tech-driven, vertically integrated approach empowers consume...

In this exclusive episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Thomas Knothe, Chair of JTC 24, shares insights into the new Digital Product Passport (DPP) standards. As one of the few cleared to speak publicly, Thomas reveals how DPPs will transform global commerce, ensure sustainability, and drive regulatory compliance. Don’t miss this rare conversation that explores the future of digital-physical converge...