If you think technology has improved the way you interact and connect with other people, with computers, with machines, or even with things around you, then you might not have heard about the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT can connect around 5.7 million devices every single day and expected to rise more as the days go by. It is even forecasted that the IoT devices market will soar up to 1.1 Trillion in 2026.
Technology and the internet have made life fast for everybody and made it possible to link together systems and networks that somehow showcased the world as a smaller place now. Without you even realizing it, IoT has already made an impact on homes, offices, cities, and different industries like healthcare, travel, and more. IoT acts like a giant network or system that connects any device to the Internet and other connected devices. It also connects people and allows sharing of data within the said network.
As the new year rolls over that also mark the start of a new era, we can say that we can expect of many development trends when it comes to IoT that can be a milestone when it comes to technological development. Here are some of the trends that you need to watch out this 2020.
Trends To Watch Out for IoT this 2020
- Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is becoming widely acceptable now and is now being widely utilized by end-users. From ride-hailing apps to chatbots, a lot of people have now been interacting with AI technology. Big names in different industries leveraging on AI capabilities will grow as well as start-ups and major enterprises to take advantage of these growths. It can be noted that there is a 270% increase in the number of organizations that have implemented AI in the last four years.
AI’s growth seemed to be in parallel with the development of IoT. Many experts believe that AI is one of the most important trends when it comes to IoT development this year and for the coming years. The merger of these two has coined another term – Artificial Intelligence of Things or AIoT. Experts are also positive that this trend is coming of age and it will come quickly this 2020.
Why do you think AI is one of the most important when it comes to IoT development? IoT holds a vast amount of data and for it to be mined properly, AI comes into play. It provides fast delivery of existing data in IoT and bridged the challenges usually faced by traditional methods. AIoT also provides fast and accurate analytics that is crucial in any business and to the decisions they have to make to ensure the success of every organization.
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5G connection
One of the most recent technological innovation that has been making noise these days is the rise of 5G connection. With 5G’s remarkable speed and low latency, it is expected that it will change the way we live our lives and will provide innovation in different industries. 5G is one of the integral factors in pushing IoT forward.
Ushering this cutting edge speed will make IoT more possible as the 5G network will allow more devices to be connected. 5G will improve the performance of connected devices and enhance the reliability of IoT networks. To say, the commercial success of IoT especially is dependent on the speed of the internet network it is anchored to. Since 5G is ten times faster than the current LTE connection, it will allow faster sharing and connection in the IoT network.
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Smart Homes
When you think of IoT, you may think of different industries leveraging on it. But IoT can be also domesticated through smart homes. We have seen the emergence of smart home concepts and many have already adopted it. In a smart home, almost all of the devices are connected to the internet through an IoT system. You can open a curtain, make your floor spotless by your automated vacuum, or even create a coffee first thing in the morning without doing anything, not even lifting any of your fingers.
Smart homes’ charm is now gaining momentum and will gain more popularity this year. Smart home devices will see more light of days in the coming days as more people will it as great assistance and innovative way of running a household.
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Smart Cities
In the same way, the concept of smart cities is to create an urban center that can be responsive to human needs through the leveraging of data and IoT systems.
Smart cities leverage IoT to connect devices that can automate traffic lights, street lights, and connect sensors and meters that can generate data. This data can be analyzed and can be used in the architectural and infrastructure development of a city.
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Healthcare Services
Healthcare services are one of the many industries where the impacts of technology can be seen.
Alongside with other medical developments relying on technology, AI is now being used in many healthcare activities that can both benefit healthcare professionals and patients.
While technology cannot stop people from getting sick, it has made it easier for healthcare industries to be accessible to people and help in addressing health concerns. IoT has numerous applications in these areas like the collection of data for any medical emergencies like heart failure, asthma attacks, diabetes, and a lot more. These data are then stored and can be accessed by an authorized person from any location, any device, and any time.
These days, home healthcare services will now grow in popularity. Doctors and patients can now interact even without meeting personally. With the help of IoT, smart health devices can now give access to patients’ off-clinic consultation and send vital information to doctors to make the necessary assessment and provide prescriptions.
IoT has not only created an impact on hospital emergency services alone but also on how we deal with everyday healthcare. Many wearable gadgets are now dedicated to health and fitness and it has taken the world by storm. Products like Apple Watch, Fitbit Versa, and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active are readily available in the market and can collect and analyze even large health data. These data can then provide insights to users before making any health decision.
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BigData
The more people and devices being interconnected through IoT, the amount of information it leaves behind serves as the driver for BigData market to boom. These pieces of information like human internet behaviors, decision instincts, work patterns, and productivity results become useful in producing useful analytics transformed by BigData.
These analytics are essential for any organization as it can help them make sound decisions and identify new opportunities. It helps corporations and even startups to make smarter business moves, run the business operations efficiently, and drive higher profits.
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Cloud Computing
These days, you may have heard about “the cloud” – not the usual you see every day but the cloud that helps you with your data management and other services. Cloud computing or simply called “the cloud” is a trend these days as it is used by a lot of people.
This has become an integral part of IoT as IoT generates a huge amount of data which puts tremendous strain on its infrastructure. As IoT continues to get mainstreamed, a lot of businesses have now access to it and have begun integrating this in their daily operation thus producing massive data. Cloud computing plays a major part in solving this problem as it augments the growth of IoT.
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Cybersecurity
While the concept of IoT has been getting a lot of nod from experts and even end-users, it poses a great risk when it comes to cybersecurity. As it becomes mainstream, security concerns are also increasing.
IoT offers limitless possibilities to provide interconnection and data sharing with just a click of a button. However, these also make it susceptible to attacks. Cybercriminals and hackers need only to find a vulnerable device in the IoT network to create access to infiltrate the whole system.
As IoT becomes more mainstream, IoT security must be given more emphasis to make sure that data and information that can be found on the network will remain safe.
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Blockchain Technology
With the impending threat in cybersecurity as IoT become more mainstream, Blockchain technology can help in preventing this to happen. Blockchain technology is a decentralized network where an individual, a company, or anyone can make instant transaction access data freely without the interference of a middle man. However, only those who have a private key to these networks can make the transaction.
Final Thoughts
The Internet of Things is about to change the way we live our lives, the way we work, and the way we perceive different things on the internet. Though not relatively new in the market, IoT is yet to unleash its full potential and go mainstream. This year might be the year that it will happen.
The different trends in IoT for this year is proof that it is now becoming more intuitive. It is now even easier to implement and can now be directly accessed by end-users. With the help of IoT, the futures of possibilities is limitless and businesses whatever the size is can leverage on it to ensure its success.