I have seen a lot of buzz around the Internet of Things (IoT) and forecasts for the Internet of Things market are crazy. It is said that billions of IoT devices are expected to be integrated into our lives over the next five years.
“Everything from smart cars and cities to connected homes that adapt to our habits will become the norm” Tim Brugger, Business Insider.
The potential connection from the IoT is both exciting and frightening. I hope you are strapped in, it is going to a fast, digital ride.
What is Internet of Things (IoT)?
“If you think that the internet has changed your life, think again. The IoT is about to change it all over again!” — Brendan O’Brien
Consider the following scenarios:
- Off for a family gathering? Don’t have time to go the clinic for a regular checkup? No problem, your sensor system is ready to send your ECG, respiration rate and heart rate to the family physician remotely. And the doctor’s advice will appear on your smartphone!
- You love gardening but find it difficult to give ample time. Get the latest IoT system installed and now your plants are healthy and green owing to the sensors and web connectivity. The system monitors and fulfils all the growing needs of your plants keeping in view the climatic conditions.
- You are at work and it’s time to go for the scheduled meeting with your boss. But wait! Before going there, you need to check if your aged grandfather is doing well back at home. You use the application on your mobile and track the routine of your loving grandpa. Well, all is ok. You turn on the settings to get alerts in case of any serious disruptions. And finally, with a peaceful mind you are ready to attend the meeting.
Does it sound like it is a part of some blockbuster science fiction movie? Well, this is what Internet of Things is all about. It’s not fiction, but a reality. You are going to witness all of this in the near future.
Okay, let me break down the Internet of Things a little more
In a nutshell, IoT enables the collection and exchange of data through a network of devices, buildings, vehicles and other objects when embedded with sensors, electronic devices, software, and network. This is an innovative technological idea that is soon going to revolutionize the whole world. IoT is expected to add comfort and ease to our lives. Objects, devices, and human beings would be interconnected, making life much more efficient, accurate and organised. Automated processes with no human interference would lead to quick and error free completion of all daily tasks.
Though IoT is one of the most emerging technologies offering countless benefits, still there are certain concerns related to it. The complexity of this system and issues of compatibility need to be worked on. Other issues like breach of privacy and fear of machines overtaking humans (insert your favourite iRobot or Terminator scene here) are also under consideration.
This technology is in its initial stages of implementation but once applied, it is going make huge transformations beyond the imagination. It’s giving me the goosebumps!
Looking forward to seeing what this means for marketers and businesses. It seems pretty straight forward. Basically, we get even more contact points with the market. Giving us a better reach. But on the flipside, the term Big Data will be extrapolated tenfold. I’ll do a little more reading and get back to you on that.
