Slabsure Keeps American Structures Going Strong with Golioth
Slabsure needed a way to collect data and perform over-the-air updates remotely and without depending on connectivity from their customers.
Working with Glassboard and Golioth, Slabsure built a solution that could handle complex data, independent of grid power and connection types.
Slabsure leveraged battery-powered microcontrollers and the Golioth platform to expand services, market reach, and operational efficiency.
Collecting Data with No Connectivity and No Physical Access
Slabsure, a brand under Steadfast Foundation Technologies, LLC, is a cutting-edge structural monitoring system designed to detect vertical movement in homes, commercial buildings, bridges, and other structures. Alan Carlson, VP of Operations, leads the Slabsure product development team from their headquarters in Texas. Slabsure uses IoT and predictive analytics based on millions of data points to ensure structural stability and detect the potential for damage before it occurs. Their devices operate independently of user infrastructure, leveraging cellular connectivity to deliver consistent and reliable data.
As Slabsure expanded from local to nationwide operations, several challenges emerged. Alan Carlson explains, “We wanted a device that was completely independent of our end users, whether they have Wi-Fi or something else, we need to be able to collect our data without having to be tied into their systems. Since we use cellular, we can use any remote applications as long as we’re within range of a tower.” Additionally, the team needed a way to perform firmware updates without driving to every location—a process that became impractical as the company scaled.
This necessity became clear during the transition to their fifth-generation device. “Driving to every location to do firmware updates was not going to be possible,” Carlson shared. “We also saw the need for over-the-air updates and live backups to ensure data integrity as our business grows nationwide.”
The shift to battery-powered devices with microcontrollers opened up new markets for Slabsure, including monitoring during construction and servicing remote structures like bridges and water towers. “The battery power is much better,” Carlson remarked. “It eliminated the need for on-site power, which restricted us in earlier generations.”
A Shift to Battery-Powered Microcontrollers
To address these challenges, Slabsure turned to a Golioth design partner Glassboard, and Golioth’s AI-ready IoT infrastructure. Carlson described the partnership: “We needed a solution that could handle the complexity of our data and provide a flexible platform for deploying and managing AI models. Golioth’s infrastructure fit the bill perfectly. From there we worked with Golioth’s team to architect the solution that removed the dependency on grid power and Glassboard to deliver the prototypes.”
With Golioth, Slabsure implemented over-the-air updates and streamlined data management. Carlson highlighted the time and cost savings: “Working with Golioth meant we did not have to engineer and manage the infrastructure for OTA updates and security into our package. That’s handled on Golioth’s end, which was important to us and simplified our operation.”
Golioth’s platform enables Slabsure’s fifth-generation device to function independently with battery power and cellular connectivity. “The shift to the microcontroller with battery power capabilities opens up a much larger market for us,” Carlson noted, “We can monitor vertical movement across structures and use predictive analytics to detect anomalies and allow our customers to intervene with preventive solutions before they become critical and more costly.”
“Working with Golioth meant we did not have to engineer and manage the infrastructure for OTA updates and security into our package. That’s handled on Golioth’s end, which was important to us and simplified our operation.”
New Implementation Means New Reach
The Slabsure team collaborated with Golioth to bring their vision to life. Golioth’s SDK helped integrate Nordic chips with Slabsure’s downstream sensors, enabling seamless communication between devices and the cloud. Carlson praised the Golioth team: “Marko and his team did a lot of the early design to help interface the Nordic chip with our downstream sensors. He wrote some of the libraries we needed to get that into Golioth.”
Slabsure’s device uses up to 20 pressure sensors to measure vertical movement every hour. These readings are sent to the cloud for analysis, allowing the team to provide actionable insights to their clients. “Our industry-leading accuracy and hourly readings are a game-changer in a world of aging infrastucture and uncertainty,” Carlson shared. “It allows us to detect motion early and alert homeowners, repair companies, and other service providers to intervene before cracks or structural issues appear.”
The Results
With Golioth’s infrastructure, Slabsure has significantly expanded its market reach and operational efficiency. The introduction of battery-powered devices has opened up new opportunities, such as monitoring during construction and providing immediate feedback after events like earthquakes.
Carlson described the impact of Golioth on their growth: “We will be scaling operations significantly in 2025. Golioth is a huge part of that because there’s no way we could exist and service our product at scale without a system like this.”
Golioth has also allowed Slabsure to adapt its solutions for different markets. For instance, tighter tolerances are required for California’s earthquake-prone structures compared to Texas homes, where expansive clay soils are a primary concern. Carlson emphasized the importance of customization: “We offer customized algorithms because different regions have unique structural requirements. Golioth’s platform makes that possible.”
In Conclusion
Slabsure’s integration with Golioth has transformed its operations, enabling the company to scale while maintaining reliability and precision. The partnership has streamlined firmware updates, expanded market opportunities, and enhanced the company’s ability to deliver predictive analytics.
“Golioth’s comprehensive solution has been essential to our success,” Carlson concluded. “It’s allowed us to focus on what we’re good at—building hardware and embedded systems and data analytics—while Golioth manages the networking and infrastructure. Together, we’re poised for massive growth.”
About Slabsure
Slabsure is a patented structural monitoring solution under license from Steadfast Foundation Technologies, LLC. Their innovative IoT solutions provide real-time insights into structural movement, enabling proactive maintenance and preventing costly damage.
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