The year is 2018. We live surrounded by computers and most of us know it; however, not to the level we imagine. When we think of the computer chips that make up this world, the mind probably goes to phones, cars, lights and actual computers. But what about the traffic lights, doors or cement? Yep, there are chips in all of those things. It all relates back to a specific topic the Internet of Things (IoT). Pretty much everything is connected to the Internet and it’s good because IoT is efficiency. At Kinectra we believe that IoT helps keep things safe, monitored and overall connected while not being too Big Brother”y”.
In terms of devices that especially relate to the IoT and have made a long-lasting impression on the tech industry, we have to discuss wearables. Specifically smart wearables. Apple Watches, Fitbits, Snapchat Spectacles are all normal items that have the Internet fully baked into the heart of their product. To some, these wearables may seem like an unnecessary procurement, but in reality, they can be so much more than that. In a recent article from TechCrunch, it was reported that the Apple Watch can detect diabetes within 85% of accuracy. Diabetes joins hypertension, sleep apnea and abnormal heart rhythm as potentially diagnosed medical problems from a watch. The innovation alone is something remarkable, but it goes to show that wearables aren’t just expensive trinkets.
Wearables are cool, but what about the bigger things? Like smart homes! Smart homes are outfitted with the latest and greatest in tech “toys.” A “true” smart home can typically go for millions of dollars, but for the average consumer that isn’t realistic. The good thing is the same tech that is inside these mega-houses can be achieved by a couple of well-placed devices. For example, smart speakers can completely change the ambiance of the regular home and make it smarter. Plus, with the recent push to buy smart bulbs or smart thermostats having a smart speaker like Amazon Alexa or Google Home makes it all the while. The main point was to say that IoT is something that can affect the average consumer in remarkable ways and it has.
Homes are great for living, but your city you live in can make it even greater! Did you know that in some ways your city is just as smart, if not smarter than your home? Well, that's hyperbole, but they are getting there. In 2007, a major bridge in Minnesota collapsed due to cracks and constant stress. When this bridge was rebuilt, they put sensors in the cement to monitor the stress and random cracks in the road. The point of the project was to prevent another bridge collapse by being prepared and it was another example of how to update and upgrade urban infrastructure. In major cities around the world, IoT has taken hold. Some cities use smart trash cans to monitor waste, while others use motion sensors to curb wasted energy production. The smart city is more of an idea to increase efficiency and reduce cost in the future.
We know that IoT can connect the ground to the city, and at Kinectra we believe it will be much more in the coming year. Ramesh Reddy, co-founder of Kinectra, believes that in the next 25 to 30 years, smart cities will have taken a huge hold, not only the American market but the entire world. Major European hubs like Copenhagen, Zurich, Stockholm and more advanced on this innovation. Boston recently ranked 5th on the EasyPark 2017 Smart City Index indicating that America is not far behind and Dallas is helping lead the way in Smart City initiatives. IoT is something that will get continuously embraced as time goes on and as Internet gets faster and readily available to more people.
IoT has and will continue to be integrated into our society. Whether it be through simple things like our cars and watches or as complex as our cities and streets. The Internet is connected and has been creating a more efficient society, though this device. It makes you wonder what else will be the next innovation to help the world.
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