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Industry expert brings Internet of Things to life

Steven Kear joins ARU as new Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor

Students in the School of Computing and Information Science at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) are benefitting from hands-on Internet of Things (IoT) expertise thanks to the appointment of Steven Kear as a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor.

Steven is Principal Technologist and Founder of Kear Technology Solutions and has worked in the electronics and technology sector for over 18 years, helping clients harness technology, drive innovation and bring products to market.

The appointment is part of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Visiting Professor scheme, which is designed to utilise the experience of experts with industrial backgrounds to enhance teaching and learning in UK universities. 

Steven is supporting ARU’s BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and BSc (Hons) Computer Networks courses through interactive lab sessions, as well as mentoring and developing real-world Internet of Things (IoT) project scenarios. 

From a peak of public and media interest in 2014, when IoT promised a near-future where every electronic device within the home is connected to the Internet, IoT has since undergone a refinement period, with experts exploring ways of overcoming some of the key challenges to mainstream adoption. 

Steven said:

 

“After a flurry of excitement six years ago, the Internet of Things has since had a period of more modest growth. However, it is clear this technology is going to play an ever-more important role in future, and the recent interest in wearable health and activity devices, such as the Fitbit, shows there is a real appetite for integrating technology into our lives.

“Through my Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professorship, I hope to be able to inspire and guide the next generation of engineers at ARU, helping to drive the future growth of these exciting and ‘disruptive’ technologies.”