Advanced internet of things
We specialise in research and development on the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Advanced IoT technologies complement various national fourth industrial revolution initiatives in policy, government programmes, research and development (R&D), and solution development to address strategic deployment challenges of complex IoT systems.
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Highlights
Tumi Leotlela awarded the best student paper award at the FDCR conference in 2025
CSIR student researcher Boitumelo Leotlela was named Best Student at the Foundational Digital Capabilities Research 2025 Conference. Leotlela’s work interrogated how foundational digital capabilities can be adapted to serve under-resourced communities. She is a master’s candidate in computer science at the North-West University. The event brought together scientists, engineers, policymakers and experts from the private and public sectors to explore the future of digital capabilities in an increasingly interconnected world.
Read moreOur capabilities
We provide a full suite of IoT development capabilities from edge to cloud, based on a three-tier architecture of edge tier, platform tier and enterprise tier. Our capabilities include developing embedded intelligence devices for harsh constrained environments based on microcontroller or field-programmable gate array designs, distributed networks and processes, IoT trust and transactions, IoT platforms and front-end, mobile and backend software development.
We can develop custom IoT solutions, front-end and back-end IoT applications and enable IoT-enable devices created by original equipment manufacturers. We also support clients on IoT business model innovation.
Our infrastructure
We utilise the following infrastructure:
Electronics lab;
Mechanical workshop;
Rapid prototyping and assembly of electronic systems equipment;
Demonstration of IoT systems facility (being set up); and
Network emulator that is being integrated into a real-time power systems simulator (under development).
Our track record and impact
Online radiation monitoring system for National Nuclear Regulator
Nineteen sites around South Africa are being monitored for radiation through an online radiation monitoring system developed as a custom Internet of Things solution by the CSIR under a contract from the NNR and consequently deployed at the NNR. A user experience application connected to the IoT platform then displays the data on a dashboard and map and processes radiation data to determine the isotopes and danger thresholds and issues alerts to the relevant stakeholders.
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In partnership with Guduza Technologies, the CSIR is in the process of refining the GoafWarn product for underground mining operations. GoafWarn is an advanced real-time micro-seismic monitoring system designed to provide early warnings of impending roof failures in underground mines. By detecting and analysing micro-seismic activity, the system enhances safety, minimises production disruptions, reduces financial losses and provide more sustainable and more profitable mining.
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Electronic Monitoring System for parolees
We developed a solution comprising of custom electronic bracelets worn by offenders connecting to an IoT backend under a contract with the Department of Correctional Services. The solution also integrates the Offender Management Systems of the DCS and has a mobile application for community corrections officials to interact with and have situational awareness of those in their case load.