It was only a few years ago that Internet of Things (IoT) technologies seemed futuristic, left to the world of The Jetsons and Back to the Future. Today, connected technologies are a part of our everyday lives. Here’s a look at what’s trending in the world of IoT technologies:
Trend One: Wearable Technologies
While wearable technologies have been on the market for a few years – think the Fitbit and the Pebble – they are finally gaining steam and recognition within the marketplace. While many consumers have been brave enough to purchase these first generation products, many have been waiting for the well-known companies to release their own versions.
Google was the first major brand to announce their foray into wearable technologies with Google Glass. While this technology may not become as mainstream as Apple’s iWatch, it’s part of the beginning stages of the technology that may be incorporated into future wearable technologies.
Wearable technologies are poised to not only simplify communications between humans, but to track health data, track daily patterns, provide motivation and friendly competition in the area of fitness tracking and to create an individualized experience.
While wearable devices are in the toddler stage of development, they could one day be a replacement for our smartphones with the ability to do much more. While that may be sometime in the future, think back to the days when we thought connecting to the internet from our smartphones was impossible and/or unnecessary. It may be sooner than we think.
Trend Two: Smart Cars
The automobile industry has embraced IoT technologies to help create a safe and convenient hands-free system to help drivers from becoming distracted on the road. From GPS systems to Bluetooth connectivity, to video monitors and sensors used to detect proximity to other vehicles, we have already seen glimpses of how connected our cars can become.
Hands-free technologies are standard on many vehicles now, providing drivers with the ability to remain connected to their phones, without having to take their eyes off the road to unlock their phone to read their messages. Many companies are looking to take hands-free driving further. For example, Honda is working to integrate Apple’s Siri Eyes Free system into their lineup, which enables drivers to use iOS from their dashboard.
In the near future, we may see the first driverless cars on the road. Google has been testing these vehicles, which are equipped with sensors that work in collaboration with GPS to detect the best ways to get between two locations in the most effective and safe manner possible. These vehicles would also be able to communication with one another. With the potential to reduce accident rates and improve traffic flow, driverless cars are the smart car of the future.
Trend Three: Smart Homes
The smart home of the future is here today. Technologies are on the market that wirelessly open our front doors and garages, turn out our lights from anywhere in the world and enable us to adjust our thermostats remotely.
With the rising costs of heating and cooling a home, the ability to adjust a thermostat remotely has saved consumers money. Temperatures have been known to increase or decrease with the drop of a hat and the ability for homeowners to adjust their home temperature in real time has contributed to more efficient heating and cooling. Thermostat manufacturers, like Nest, have even built in sensors to correspond the temperature to each member of the home, providing their optimal temperature. These sensors can even adjust the temperature automatically if they believe the home is empty.
The same cost savings can be applied to homes equipped with lighting controls. Homeowners are able to turn off lights that may have been forgotten or to turn on lights prior to their home arrival for safety purposes.
The smart home is poised for continued connectivity in the future. As IoT technologies continue to grow, the smart home of the future may be able to be controlled by one single app or signal, providing the homeowner with the most efficient controls possible.
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Has IoT piqued your interest? Are you interested in learning more about this everyday technology? Discover more and be a part of the discussion by attending ITA’s second annual Exploring the Internet of Things Summit on November 20.
For more details on the agenda, speakers and to register for the event, visit illiniostech.org/internetofthings
Questions about this year’s Internet of Things Summit? Give ITA a call at 312-435-2805 or email Alexa Cwynar at [email protected].
