Engineering the Future: Heath Marvin on IoT, AI, and Solving Big Problems

The Innovators of Things

In this episode of Innovators of Things, host Jillian Kaplan sits down with Heath Marvin, the head of engineering at Very Technology, to explore his extensive career in the IoT (Internet of Things) space. Heath shares his journey from working on semiconductors and touchscreens in the early 2000s to leading product development for companies like SimpliSafe and building cutting-edge IoT solutions for diverse industries. His passion for problem-solving shines through as he discusses the evolution of connected devices, the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) in IoT, and the intricacies of designing systems that impact everyday lives.

Key Topics Covered:

• Heath Marvin’s early career in electrical engineering and semiconductor chip design.

• The rise of IoT and AI in everyday products, from smartphones to home security systems.

• His experience at SimpliSafe, scaling a small startup into a well-known brand and launching new products like the automated door lock.

• Transitioning to Very Technology, a professional services firm specializing in IoT and AI solutions.

• The challenge of building custom IoT solutions for clients with varying needs, from high-volume consumer products to specialized low-volume devices.

• The importance of creating open ecosystems and managing vendor relationships in IoT development.

• Staying ahead of the curve in a fast-moving industry by learning about new IoT platforms and solutions.

Key Quotes:

• “I’m passionate about solving problems…I always just was interested in physical things—something that you could touch and make do something.”

• “IoT and AI are similar in that both started as buzzwords, but eventually became integral parts of modern technology.”

• “At SimpliSafe, we grew from a 30-person engineering team to 500 people, scaling our technology while solving real problems for consumers.”

• “In IoT, the closer you get to the hardware, the more custom the solution needs to be. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.”