How to combine big data and the Internet of things (IoT) to create a new generation of applications for IoT technology was the key issue under discussion at the IoT + Big Data Summit Forum on Oct 31, which was held as part of the World Internet of Things Exposition (WIOT) taking place in Wuxi, Jiangsu province.

The IoT + Big Data Summit Forum is held in Wuxi on Oct 31 as part of the World Internet of Things Exposition. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese Academy of Engineering member Ni Guangnan kicked off the four-hour summit by urging attendees to accelerate innovation in network information technology, especially in the fields of data security, core chip and software development, which will crucial technologies in the new era of IoT.

Zhang Keping, director of Wuxi's information technology and radio regulation bureau, welcomed the attendees on behalf of the host city, and shared his thoughts and experiences on how to construct a modern smart city based on IoT and big data integration. Wuxi has topped the national smart city development list released at the annual China Smart City Meeting for several years due to its high level of smart infrastructure construction.

Zhang Keping, director of Wuxi information technology and radio regulation bureau, shares his opinion on smart city construction with the forum. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"The development of big data originates from the application of IoT technology and fuels the possibility of creating a smart city," said Zhang. The city of Wuxi is making use of its advantage in information sharing, communications infrastructure, big data and IoT to continuously lead the nation in smart city construction.

Other leading minds in the academic and business worlds introduced fruitful new products based on the integration of IoT and big data from multiple different fields, including manufacturing, transportation, cloud services and smart homes.

Ni Guangnan, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, answers questions at the forum. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The forum concluded with the outcome of top IoT solutions in 2016 where 34 projects developed by firms including JD.com, Tencent, Alibaba, Lenovo, China Union and China Telecom won industrial awards. Projects brought by IBM China Research Institute, ARM and Intel were named the best localization IoT application projects.