The Internet of Things (IoT) is an ever growing network of computers and other devices that connect to the internet. These include smartphones, wearables, industrial internet, home security systems, and any other device that has an IP address, and connects to the internet. Think of it as a second internet.
Although many great strides have been made made in IoT technology, as a whole, IoT is still in its infancy, and the overall ability of devices to communicate with one another is very fragmented due to many different companies and manufacturers and machine languages. However, demand for a more connected world is driving companies towards major progress in the realm of IoT.
On the topic of IoT, Nicholas Negroponte, Co-Founder of MIT Media Lab, has stated, “When we talk about the Internet of Things, it’s not just putting RFID tags on some dumb thing so we smart people know where that dumb thing is. It’s about embedding intelligence so things become smarter and do more than they were proposed to do.”
Keep reading to find out about 5 IoT trends to watch for in 2018.
- Industry
Companies like Open Automation Software are quickly making advancements in cross-platform communication between different industrial internet systems. Industrial IoT (IIoT) is growing and expanding at an exponential rate.
Some companies are even using automation and systems like SCADA to oversee and automate all aspects their manufacturing and production processes. Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is a category of software application program for process control, the gathering of data in real time from remote locations in order to control equipment and conditions.
SCADA is used in power plants as well as in oil and gas refining, telecommunications, transportation, as well as water and waste control.
- Security
Another set of IoT trends to watch for this year is in the security sector. Advancements in IoT for home and business security are on the rise, allowing for a safer and more connected world.
Developments in security from companies like Vivint, Xfinity and Homeshield, are quickly paving the way for safer communities and heightened peace of mind for homeowners and business owners alike, who wish to protect their valuable properties and belongings from would-be thieves and burglars.
With real time connectivity, and fully integrated home security systems, many security providers offer the ability to remotely access features like video and audio feeds from security cameras from any desktop, laptop, or mobile device.
- Hospitality
There have been many improvements in hospitality due to the growing rate of IoT applications like smart home technology being implemented by hotels, allowing for more comfortable accommodations, and easier access to amenities for those who stay at hotels and resorts.
IoT for hospitality allows hotels to implement guest-room automation, predictive maintenance, mobile engagement to provide a more pleasant stay for patrons. Many hotels are also using location based interaction to upsell guests through pre-arrival or checkout offers.
- Social Media Marketing
With so many devices connecting users to social media, Automation can make it easy for companies to learn more about their customers through social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and other similar user-centric platforms.
One of the most common ways that customers share their data is through social media. They post pictures of themselves, share their purchases, check in at hotels, resorts and restaurants, among other venues, and share their thoughts and frustrations about current events in real time.
This is in addition to the information they share in their profile, especially if it is public or they sign in to your website with it. Usually this information includes their age, occupation, salary, their cell phone provider and the type of phone they use, their email address and phone number, and even whether they rent or own their home.
You can use Twitter analytics or programs like Tweepsmap, Facebook analytics or other online tools, and through these you can easily determine the audience you are reaching, at least on social media. All of this data comes from your customers devices, and all of them are a part of the Internet of Things.
- Smart Cities
A smart city is an urban area that uses different types of electronic data collection sensors to supply information which is used to manage assets and resources efficiently.
What this essentially means is through the IoT, data collected from citizens, devices, and assets is processed and analyzed to manage and monitor aspects of infrastructure like traffic, transportation systems, power, water and waste management facilities as well as law enforcement, information systems, schools, libraries, hospitals, and other community services.
IoT technology is used to enhance quality, performance and interactivity of urban services, to reduce costs and resource consumption and to increase contact between citizens and government, and allow for a more transactional relationship between people and politics.
Conclusion
These advancements are quickly setting the stage for an increasingly connected and intuitive world. In the future, with the help of cutting edge advancements in computing, and data processing, as well as advancements in memory compression and solid state drive (SSD) technologies that combine ever increasing storage capacity with ever smaller physical size, it will be possible to automate and connect systems regardless of framework or operating system. This would allow for digital data to be transferred from any system to any system, via the cloud.
How has IoT changed your daily life or business procedures? What are some advancements and developments in IoT technology that you would like to see take place in the next 5 years. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Anurag Choudhari is the co-founder of Geekenized Technologies LLP, a web development & digital marketing agency that helps various SMBs & SMEs in developing & maintaining their online presence.
