California-based Nest Labs, founded by two former Apple executives, produces a thermostat capable of learning user behaviour and working out when a building is occupied or not, using temperature, humidity, activity and light sensors.

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Measuring 98 by 217cm (38 by 95 inches), it is to be transported in protective crates fitted with shock absorbers and sensors to measure temperature and humidity.

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In the future, embedded sensors that provide environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature will be commonplace.

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The GPS can also be used to track movement, while other sensors on board can monitor temperature, humidity and heart rate.

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Using sensors and global-positioning satellites, customers can check temperature and humidity in the containers.

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That's all thanks to a collection of six sensors, which keep tabs on metrics like temperature, ambient light, humidity and motion -- whether it's fingers about to touch the display or people passing in and out of the room.

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