Introduction to Physical Web

Presentation enabled by Physical-Web.

Look for "Physical Web by Amey Inamdar"

Who am I

 

Amey Inamdar

  • Working at Marvell Semiconductor in IoT Platforms Group

 

  • Experience of architecting and delivering Wi-Fi and BLE based consumer IoT devices

So you know what to ask

amey.inamdar@gmail.com

@iamey

The Web as it is

  • World Wide Web is an interconnect of computers that facilitate communication and information exchange
  • Current web ends at the client like computer or mobile phone in the user's hand

QR Codes - Connection between Physical world and Web

Does it really work?

What if things could talk and provide information about them?

What is Physical Web

  • ​An initiative to create an open standard that extends the web we know today into the physical world
  • The initiative is started by Google but is open to everyone

Traditional Web

Physical Web

Why Physical Web

  • The number of smart devices is going to explode
  • Assumption that each device will have its own app is not realistic
  • There are several use-cases which don't require native app
  • Physical Web is not about replacing native apps; it's about enabling interaction where native apps are not practical

Some Examples

  • A cat collar would let you call to find the owner
  • A bus tells you its next stop
  • Parking meters can pay in the cloud using the phone’s internet connection
  • Any store, no matter how small, can offer an online experience when you walk in
  • A self-drive rental car broadcasts a signup page, allowing you to immediately drive away
  • Industrial equipment can offer diagnostics

Ain't it interesting?

Technology behind it - BLE

  • Based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol
    • More protocols can be supported in future
  • Physical Web devices send out beacon information periodically
    • Beacons contain URL for the device
  • Devices can run for multiple years on battery with low power consumption of BLE and low beaconing rate
  • BLE technology allows small size and low cost (<1$ in volume)

 

Device tells you about itself

  • Device transmits a URL in the BLE beacon that contains info about the device
  • URLs are well-understood and flexible
  • They can point to informative HTML page, a web app or a deep link to native app on the phone
  • URLs can be static or dynamically changing
    • For example changing sensor value or authentication token

On the Phone Side

  • The phone can scan for available devices and it understands the beacon format
  • Both iOS and Android platforms are supported using "Physical Web" Application
    • Native support at platform level or at browser level is not far away
  • The user sees notifications in the notification area

What about Security

  • On-demand notifications - Phone does not get buzzed every time a device is found
  • Google has ability to filter the devices that get displayed on the phone - this can filter out spam
  • Only HTTPS URLs are allowed
  • The results are sorted by the priority

Technology Friends

  • Web-Bluetooth - Javascript library that provides ability to interact with BLE devices from web browser itself
  • Web-notifications - Javascript library that provides ability to generate system level notifications based on user opt-in

Demo

Q&A

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