Wechsler Sees IoT Lab Network

The founder of the Indiana IoT Lab, which opened last month in Fishers, says he envisions a "loose federation of labs throughout the state." During an interview at the Inside INdiana Business Launch Fishers Bureau, John Wechsler said labs throughout the state would focus on regional strengths, such as plastics engineering and precision agriculture.

Wechsler says the southwest part of the state, for example, is strong in the plastics industry.

"Every one of these IoT devices is going to need plastic enclosures, housings and different kinds of plastics engineering," says Wechsler. "Rather than someone here in Fishers trying to become a good first-time engineer in the plastics realm, why don’t we create a space down there where they can connect with experts that have done this forever."

The Indiana IoT Lab officially opened in March. At the time, Wechsler said the emerging Internet of Things industry will help "future-proof" Hoosier businesses.

Indiana’s tech growth initiative TechPoint announced Thursday that Wechsler, who also founded Launch Fishers, will receive the 2018 Trailblazer Award at this month’s 19th annual Mira Awards in Indianapolis.