Internet of Things

Are Alexa, Siri, and Cortana recording your private conversations?

Smart speakers aren’t recording all the time, says David Choffnes, an associate professor of computer sciences. “But that doesn’t mean there’s no cause for concern.”

by Laura Castañón July 14, 2020

Sagar Kamarthi is a professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at Northeastern. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

The future of manufacturing is here. Are we ready?

Sagar Kamarthi, who teaches mechanical and industrial engineering at Northeastern, is helping the workforce prepare for a new landscape. This year, he is one of two faculty to receive Northeastern’s Excellence in Teaching Award.

by Khalida Sarwari April 29, 2020

Tommaso Melodia speaks during the Inauguration of the Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things in the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

Northeastern University launches the Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things

The internet of things is the interface that allows people to connect the physical world with the cyber world, using tools like Alexa or a smart thermostat. Now, Northeastern researchers are taking that concept to the next level to solve some of the most pressing problems in the world with the new Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things.

by Roberto Molar Candanosa October 18, 2019

Sagar Kamarthi, a professor of mechanical engineering at Northeastern, is working to improve manufacturing operations in the healthcare and aerospace industries. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Get ready for the next Industrial Revolution

Manufacturing is undergoing a revolution thanks to the internet, but the industry's workforce is struggling to keep up, says Sagar Kamarthi, a professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at Northeastern. A new program he is leading with other Northeastern data science and mechanical engineering researchers is helping people working in manufacturing modernize their skillset and prepare for the revolution.

by Roberto Molar Candanosa October 11, 2019

The smart devices in your home are listening to you, recording your whereabouts, and sending data to technology companies and other third-parties, according to a new study by David Choffnes, an associate professor at Northeastern. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Your smart TV is talking to Netflix about you behind your back

While you were watching the finale of Chernobyl, your smart TV was sending data to technology and advertising companies, according to a new study led by David Choffnes, an associate professor of computer and information science at Northeastern. What isn’t clear is what third-party services actually do with that data and whether they’re misusing it, he says.

by Khalida Sarwari September 20, 2019

Woodrow Hartzog, professor of law and computer science in the school of law. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Cute robots, smart underwear, and facial recognition in church: Have we gone too far?

Law and computer science professor Woodrow Hartzog appeared at Northeastern’s Charlotte campus on Thursday to discuss trends that he said pose concerns for privacy, and offered cautionary tales of technology gone wild.

by Khalida Sarwari March 28, 2019

Tommaso Melodia will direct Northeastern’s new Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Here’s how the future of wireless technology might look

Northeastern’s new Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things will bring together researchers, industry representatives, and government agencies to build the next generation of wireless technologies for a faster, more connected world.

by Laura Castañón December 20, 2018

Alex Alben, the chief privacy officer of the state of Washington, is paid to worry about the lawlessness of the internet. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

Here’s some advice to make internet hackers less frightening

To understand how to handle the internet security challenges of the future, we should look to the way we dealt with mass innovations in the past, said panelists at a symposium held by the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at Northeastern-Seattle.

by Ian Thomsen December 18, 2018

Hwaider Lin works in the Dana Research Center on Sept. 28, 2018. He said the tiny antenna he helped to design could eventually be used to help treat depression and migraines. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

A tiny antenna could be good for your health. All you have to do is stick it in your brain.

Hwaider Lin, a doctoral student at Northeastern, recently received an award for designing a nano-antenna that is 100 times smaller than the one that’s currently in your smartphone. He said the tiny antenna could eventually be used to help treat depression and migraines.

by Laura Castañón October 11, 2018

David Choffnes, assistant professor, Jingjing Ren, doctoral candidate, and Daniel Dubois, postdoctoral research assistant, work in the Mon(IoT)r Lab in the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Is your refrigerator spying on you?

Are smart devices collecting data on us while they’re supposed to be off? That’s what Northeastern assistant professor David Choffnes and his colleagues are studying. And the answer, so far, appears to be yes.

by Molly Callahan September 25, 2018