The Internet of Things: How It Can Shape the Future
By: Roshan Adusumilli
Tags: Consumer Electronics, Privacy, Disruptive Technologies, Internet of Things

Your thermostat adjusts itself to reach optimal temperature based on data about the weather outside. Your alarm clock rings in the morning and triggers the light in the room. Your printer orders a new cartridge when it's running low on ink. Although these interactions seem like they’re straight out of a sci-fi movie, they might soon become reality due to the Internet of Things.

Concept Art for IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to devices and objects connected to each other through the Internet.

These connected devices share data to communicate meaningful information. Intel predicts that the number of smart devices in the world will increase from 15 billion in 2015 to a jaw-dropping 200 billion by 2020. Potential uses of the technology are explored below.

IoT in the home

Application for Homes

The smart thermostat, alarm clock, and printer mentioned in the introduction are just a few possibilities for IoT in homes. In fact, Nest, an IoT company acquired by Google, currently produces smart thermostats, cameras, doorbells, alarm systems, and locks. These products can all be controlled from the user’s phone, making it much simpler to have an overview of everything going on in their home. Appliances such as smart refrigerators, which can scan what products are stored inside of them, and smart toasters also exist. As exciting as they seem, these products are only the tip of the iceberg. Once smart devices are invented for every aspect of the home, the full potential of IoT can be realized as the interconnected devices create a true smart home.

IoT in cities

Application for Cities

If you’ve ever been to New York City or Los Angeles, you understand how bad of a problem of traffic congestion is. A motorist in the Big Apple wastes an average of 133 hours in traffic every year. The answer to this problem is — you guessed it — IoT. Data collected from various sources (sensors, vehicle GPS, cameras) can be analyzed by city officials to understand traffic patterns. These insights can be utilized to help officials set traffic signals to the appropriate time. Additionally, traffic data can be sent to drivers’ phones to alert them about which areas to avoid. The same data can also help alert emergency services when accidents occur. Another hassle to drivers, parking, can also be made simpler with IoT; sensors in parking lots can provide real-time data about which spots are available.

IoT in the workplace

Application for Companies

IoT can be implemented in a variety of ways to impact companies. Smart locks can provide greater convenience and security than traditional locks. Furthermore, smart locks can indicate when and — if combined with biometrics — who has accessed company locations. The application of smart lighting/thermostats benefits both the environment and the company’s pockets by greatly increasing energy savings. Voice assistants can help employees by linking to management systems, notes, and calendars. Supply chain logistics is one of the areas where IoT’s effect will be felt the most. IoT enables companies to more accurately track the movement of materials, finished products, and delivery vehicles, ensuring everything is accounted for at all times. RFID (radio frequency identification) scanners help the consumer by streamlining the purchasing process and help the company by providing data regarding inventory tracking.

Privacy is an urgent issue

Privacy

Privacy is perhaps the most important issue for IoT to grapple with. Since anything connected to the internet can be hacked, IoT companies must ensure that cybersecurity is a priority. Complying with privacy laws is another thing IoT companies must be strict about. The deeply personal nature of IoT integration in homes only raises the stakes. What if a complete stranger knew what food was in your fridge? Had the ability to change the temperature in your home? Could spy on you using the very security systems built to protect you? Would you feel safe? These questions highlight the inherent risk that comes with gathering so much data. In order for IoT to become a revolutionary technology, tech companies must first gain the trust of consumers.

As prices become lower and functionality increases, the Internet of Things moves closer to becoming the disruptive technology of the future.