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 foundational infrastructure for AI agents operating in the physical world.Thomas’ Top 3 Movies:“Dirty Dancing” directed by Emile Ardolino: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIcmQNy9FsM“Amadeus” directed by Miloš Forman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7kWQj9FCGY“Shining Through” directed by Davbid Seltzer: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ChujSmX8KDU Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon who delivers asset tracking and condition monitoring using the devices your team already carries.

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 expand what’s possible for connected devices worldwide.Art’s Top 3 Songs:“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHi9mKq0slA“Mushroom Jazz” by Mark Farina: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6k0FlHGrZE “Bicycle” by VAVAN: youtube.com/watch?v=9HNorccyEno&feature=youtu.be Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon who delivers asset tracking and condition monitoring using the devices your team already carries.

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 Top 3 Movies“It’s a Wonderful Life” by Frank Capra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLR3gZrU2Xo“The Shawshank Redemption” by Frank Darabont: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLl99DlL6b4“Notting Hill” by Roger Michell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RI0QvaGoiI Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

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 environments.Karsten’s Top 3 Songs“Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qDML_BCju8 “We Are The Champions” by Queen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5GkgVhFeZY“Who Wants To Live Forever” by Queen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxn_5Barsk0Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

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 media.Dom’s Top 3 Movies“Cube” by Vincenzo Natali: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esjc0rPj3K4 “Asteroid City” by Wes Anderson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FXCSXuGTF4 “Inefficient joy” by Laurent De Martin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NHPriQIduI Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

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 Top 3 Songs“Difference Maker” by NEEDTOBREATH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2LtB9KLf98 “My Little Girl” by Tim Mcgraw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZVsGVE1qCg “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing” performed by Chris Rice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax_NMWLEb6U Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

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 why this approach could help IoT finally scale.Simon’s 3 Favourite Movies“Baby Driver” directed by Edgar Wright:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTvJJnoWIPk   “A Beautiful Mind” starring Russel Crowe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWwAOutgWBQ  “Toy Story” starring Tom Hanks and Tim Allen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-PjgYDrg70 Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

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 using packaging to build loyalty, gather first-party data, and create meaningful two-way conversations with consumers.Jenny’s Most Meaningful Songs:“Pump Up the Jam” by Technotronic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqCo3fr8-OM“Rolling in the Deep” by Adele: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CigMPtm4FM“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk3XycambgIMister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

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 advice and personal reflections.Steve’s Favorite Songs:“Everyday Is A Day of Thanksgiving” by Dr. Charles G Hayes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ooK66xOpZg“This Is My Song” by Lloyd Stone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXooDIWVRZs(Anything by Earth Wind & Fire): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCztiH7D-fHwsMyUF8r15vsQMister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.