Google I/OT: Brillo is the company’s Internet of Things platform

By Jenny McGrath May 28, 2015

This story is part of our complete Google I/O coverage

Right now, you might find a Brillo steel wool pad on your sink, but thanks to Google, Brillo will be all over your home later this year. The company announced its new “underlying operating system for the internet of things,” which it’s calling Brillo, at Google I/O.

Google has “taken Android and polished it down” to its core essentials, according to Sundar Pichai, Senior Vice President. This means it can run all devices with a smaller footprint but still supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy, and Thread.

Pichai also introduced Weave, a common language that lets devices talk to each other, the cloud, and your phone. Because it’s cross-platform, Weave works with Brillo. A command that means “unlock” to your smart door lock means the same to all your other smart devices. Google will introduce a Weave certification program, so all devices will be able to communicate, regardless of their developers.

Not only will your devices be able to talk to each other, you’ll be able to talk to your devices, thanks to voice commands. “We hope we can connect devices in a seamless and intuitive way,” said Pichai.

Pichai credited Nest for Google’s introduction to the smart home. “Nest has been working hard at taking traditional devices in the home and reimagining them for users,” he said. Google purchased Nest for $3.2 billion back in January 2014. There were hints of smart-home voice control in December of last year when users could start using Google Now to command their Nests.

Developers will get a preview of Brillo in Q3, and Google will release it in Q4. While Pichai mentioned specifically being able to turn on your oven from your Android device, he also imagines farmers being able to control everything on their land, from cameras to sensors. Google’s at the beginning of its journey when it comes to the Internet of Things, said Pichai.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…

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