Shutterstock

Shutterstock

In this four week series, #SUInternetOfThings, we will break down what the Internet Of Things (IoT) is, based on a report by the Pew Research Internet Project.

For our first week, we discussed how IoT would impact our current Internet by thoroughly describing the various technological changes that may take place in the next 10 years. To recap, IoT suggests a world where all humans and objects are connected via a wireless internet connection, constantly sending data back and forth. Currently, research institutions across the country are evaluating both the positive and negative effects of this new method of Internet application.

This week, we’ll break down how IoT can be used specifically and what it can potentially mean. In the report by the Pew Research Internet Project, “The Internet of Things Will Thrive by 2025”, Anderson and Rainie highlight where IoT can be applied. These places include:

Occupycorporatism

Occupycorporatism

Human Bodies

Online devices can be worn by people to track location, health, or fitness record, similar to most wearables worn today. The sensory devices can be used to monitor children, employees, or other individuals that may require special assistance. Within a decade, these devices can become smaller, lighter, or may even become embedded into our bodies–with enough advances in technology, and of course, general population approval.

Smart Houses

A smart house may sound like something straight from The Jetsons or simply a thing of the far future. Yet, it may be coming to your local neighborhood within a few years. Remote management of household facilities, such as lighting, heating, cooling, or the security alarm, will be widespread across most houses on a series of intricate networks.

Several sensors will also be implemented in and around a house to warn owners of intruders, or of  any household problems, such as plumbing issues.

Internally, smart appliances will also start to take over the kitchen, in the most helpful and satisfying manner. Most appliances can be set on a timer these days, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a nice hot cup of coffee ready for you when you come home from work with a push of a button on your wearable device? How about an oven that knows how long to cook a dish, and at what temperature, based on its seemingly endless internal cookbook?

Communities

With a more advanced GPS management system with IoT, each community and surrounding neighborhoods will be connected on a whole different level. Communities can become monitored more carefully to promote a safer environment for families. Public transportation can become more efficient and can even run the trains, monorails, or buses, with enough safety measures.

With a strong, intricate internet connection system, the need for cars may slightly decrease over time, promoting an ecological environment. For the facilities of any given town or city, water distribution and management can be delivered through an automated system that also simultaneously eliminates the wasting of the limited natural resources.

Commerce and Services

In commerce, corporations, small businesses, and organizations rely on countless systems to maintain their sales, company records, invoices–the list is endless. If the system fails, the company must swallow a financial setback every time. With an IoT connected system, a hybrid is created with the connection of the smaller subsystems, potentially creating a stronger system. While the risk is higher, the intangible profit can skyrocket. Time, energy, and cost can be significantly cut if all factors of a company are communicated constantly either by word of mouth, through the Internet, or both.

Environment

Always a topic of controversial conversation, most individuals agree that some action should be taken to restore or preserve our environment. A live feed of natural measurements can be read to gather data to suggest new changes or updates on preexisting changes. The Pew report says on its first page that, “There will be real-time readings from fields, forests, oceans, and cities about pollution levels, soil moisture, and resource extraction that allow for closer monitoring of problems.” Ironically, a technological change may be just the thing the environmental experts could use to yield more accurate research results.

Layer7Tech

Layer7Tech

Change We Want?

The IoT has the potential to significantly change most, if not all, aspects of our daily lives.

But is change good? IoT supporters and critics seem to be secretly, or not so secretly, debating the pros and cons of the impact the Internet can have. Nevertheless, it can almost be guaranteed that the IoT is coming within the next decade or so.

How do you feel about these changes? Leave your comments below! Next week we’ll discuss yet another major topic of IoT, stay tuned and follow along with #SUInternetOfThings!