The smart and connected market is expected to significantly grow in the next four years, making it a lucrative choice for investors. The past week was especially busy with funding announcements as the market puts its faith in the Internet of Things (IoT). 

Every week we round up the latest developments in the Smart World, from new developer platforms to smart city initiatives around the world. Here’s what you missed in the Smart World:

Helium raises $20M for industrial sensors

Helium, Inc., a company that specializes in Internet of Things sensors, has raised $20 million in funding, which it will use to widen the adoption of its sensor line.

The company offers two types of sensors; one directed at facilities where a slight increase in temperature needs immediate attention such as data centers, and another called Helium Green, a general purpose sensor able to detect various environmental parameters. Helium is said to be currently negotiating with top U.S. hospitals, with hopes that news of this funding round will attract more partners.

Read more about Helium’s funding and plans here.

Walabot sensor sees through walls

Vayyar Imaging Ltd. released the Walabot application program interface (API), along with examples that can be implemented with the Walabot software development kit (SDK).

The Walabot is a 3D imaging sensor for mobile phones that is able to detect things around you, even behind walls. The Walabot hardware comes in three stages: a Starter Kit priced at $99 for pre-order; a Maker kit priced at $249 for pre-order; and a Pro kit priced at $599 for pre-order.

Read more about the Walabot API here.

Dell doubles down on IoT

To expand its reach in the connected world, Dell, Inc. has launched its new IoT Solutions Partner Program that merges the company’s IoT portfolio with those offered by other software vendors. For this new program, Dell has secured the likes of Microsoft, SAP, General Electric, Software AG and Kepware, with some collaborations are already underway.

Read more about Dell’s IoT expansion here.

What makes Vivint different? Smart home service lands $100M

Tech investor Peter Thiel and investment firm Solamere Capital LLC made a $100 million strategic investment in Vivint Smart Home. The funding will be used to help the company grow and innovate is smart home products. Vivint is an increasingly familiar name in the smart home space and with its background in home security, the company was able to fuse home automation, monitoring and security.

Read more about how Vivint is dominating the smart home space here.

Google OnHub adds support for IFTTT

IFTTT has been making it easy for the average person to connect and automate a myriad of devices and apps, and now Google has added IFTTT support for its OnHub smart wireless router.

OnHub owners can use IFTTT to automate actions based on events such as turning Philips Hue lights on or off when a device connects or disconnects from the network, send an email when a certain device connects to the network, turn on the water heater when a specific device connects to the network and more.

Read more about this IFTTT integration and recipes you can use here.

photo credit: via photopin (license)