IoT has been a hot topic lately, with lots of different interpretations. Some people think that the Internet of Things is simply a connected thermostat, whereas other, more ambitious individuals are turning to IoT as a solution for extending products into the services industry. Most of the time, interpretations drift towards the rewards of data analysis and collection.
One thing that we do know for sure, is that the potential for IoT is much bigger than most people think. Although the Internet of Things has been making its way into the marketplace for several years, it seems that we’ve yet to truly understand its influence.
In other words, IoT is bigger than just a clever fridge. Connecting devices could radically change the world in ways that are hard to imagine. As we enter the Summer of 2017, here are some of our thoughts about IoT.
IoT has Gained Rapid Momentum
In 2017, IoT World saw phenomenal interest from groups and companies around the world. Conference organisers revealed that attendance for the show increased by 20 times in its 35-month history, up almost 50% from 2016, with more than 14,000 pre-registered attendees. On top of that, the expo hall was far larger, with 250 different exhibitors.
Right now, IoT is attracting a host of huge vendors, like Microsoft, GE, and Johnson and Johnson, alongside a new generation of smaller start-up businesses. In the expo hall, the four back rows were dubbed “Start-up City”, featuring more than 100 brand-new businesses.
Evolution and the IoT Lifecycle
The predictable progression into IoT begins with basic sensing, expands into control, and culminates in some serious innovation. Most IoT solutions are designed to solve a specific problem. However, with real connectivity, they can do so much more. For instance, older smart meters made meter-readings easier with a wand. Newer smart meters can now enable time-of-day billing, monitor leaks, and eliminate meter-reading trips.
It’s difficult to imagine the possibilities of IoT within a disconnected world. It seems that we don’t realise what we’re creating until we start opening our eyes to the various opportunities of what’s possible. As we continue to collect information, more new ideas are becoming obvious.
The Need for Different Tools
To collect information, analyse it, and respond, we need to rethink our tools. Edge computing creates new devices like the Harman IoT Gateway, which aggregates local data intelligently. Time databases like Influx will become essential to organising time-stamped data. Every aspect of the world needs to be updated.
The amount of data collection that we’re likely to see in the future is truly phenomenal. After all, many IoT devices collect a range of data, from the weather, to GPS coordinates, motion, usage, and video. There’s an obvious trend that low-cost sensors are becoming more significant than ever.
We often hear that there’ll be something close to 50 billion devices on the internet sometime soon, and while these big numbers are exciting, it’s worth noting that radical change requires a radical adoption in tools and approaches.
The Struggle of IoT
From a certain perspective, IoT can seem easy. and are free, sensors are cheap – how hard it can it all be? The truth is it’s tougher than you think. There’s a lot of different parts to think about since various sub-components like processors and networks are now changing so quickly. Additionally, IoT brings with it the complexity of scale, making the development challenge larger than most people assume.
It might be easy to create a sensor that can be accessed via a smartphone. However, designing a remotely-controlled, and reliable sensor is a different matter altogether. There are safety issues to think about, licensing concerns, and disposal issues. We need to think about service, protection, security, and cost. IoT is harder than it seems.
Finishing Thoughts on IoT
Right now, we’re still just entering the very early stages of a highly-connected, hugely different world. If companies want to be successful in the world of IoT, the most important thing they can do is step into the future with their eyes, and their minds, wide open.
