It has been predicted that by the end of 2014 there will be more devices that are connected to the internet than there are people on this planet. Not only is the amount of connected devices growing rapidly, but also is the speed at which they connect to the internet. As the speed at which our devices communicate with each other increases, our user experience of these devices also improves and so does our lives as a result.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices that access the internet. Why does your washing machine need access to Facebook you ask? When devices have the ability to evaluate data and communicate, it changes how, where & by whom decisions are made. From increasing the efficiency of power grids to improving safety in a high-risk environment, the IoT allows large amounts of data to be collected, analysed and implemented in ways like never before.
Most of us already own a mobile phone and laptop that connect to the internet. But soon every appliance in our homes, including our fridges and lights, will join the IoT. Not so long ago, smart phones were replacing our Nokias and very soon we’ll all be living in smart cities, with smart street lights, shopping in smart supermarkets.
Will the Internet of Things improve our lives or do we need to start preparing ourselves for a ‘robot revolt’?