Smart houses where everything is controlled from your phone, wearable devices that read your health indicators - things we've heard about a million times already. This is no longer the distant future, but the present. You might think that the Internet of Things is just a thing for rich people who are too lazy to turn their lights on and off "the old-fashioned way". But in fact, the Internet of Things is a technology with enormous potential to improve human life.
You probably have a rough idea of how it works: the device synchronizes with the mobile app via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and the user has the ability to control settings from his phone from anywhere in the world. Both yes and no. To learn more about how the Internet of Things works, check out our other articles from "IoT" category.
In today's article we will tell you what areas of IoT will be most in demand in the coming 2022, and why they are so in demand.
The Internet of Medical Things is an IoT that works to improve medical processes and help professionals track and analyze human health.
Internet of Things technologies will not only help to provide timely assistance and save lives, but also improve the field of medicine itself - from remote patient health monitoring to disease treatment. Instead of the usual paper medical records (the kind with a bunch of tests glued to one page with duct tape), there will be electronic ones. Instead of regular visits to the therapist, patients' health data from their devices.
A constant stream of data will make analytics more accurate - allowing you to detect problems in the body before they become serious. In an ideal world, a patient doesn't need to travel to the hospital to receive treatment: they can stay at home and undergo it remotely.
Chronic diseases are not curable, but require constant monitoring to keep the patient's condition in check. Virtual checkups, real-time monitoring, and continuous contact with the attending physician are just what the doctor ordered.
Lying in the hospital for a week (or even more) is unpleasant, but IoT devices have also come up with a solution to help us not to go through this experience. Special devices can be used to monitor the patient's condition 24/7, which reduces the likelihood of re-hospitalization. Such an option would help with both emergency and preventive care.
For comfort and work in the office we need conditions that help to keep us productive during the day. The organization of the workspace directly affects how comfortable it will be for a person to work in it. The trends of the Internet of Things have not bypassed this area of our lives.
•Control the temperature and humidity of the air
•Regulate the lighting of the room depending on the time of day
•Simplify interaction with the security system
•Create a system for booking appointments (not finding a free appointment 5 minutes before a call - we know what a pain)
Smart office technology lets you know what's going on in the office from anywhere in the world in real time - using cameras equipped with computer vision, motion sensors and multi-purpose trackers, it can track any activity inside. In addition, the smart office uses a badge system to keep track of visitors and packages. All data is available for viewing in a single interface that is supported on a computer or smartphone.
A day-to-day office task that often requires a personal presence is welcoming new hires. But everything they need to know about the new job can be posted on a web page or mobile app. For larger companies, online office tours will become a way to reduce anxiety about the unknown.
The Internet of Things will help schedule meetings and schedule appointments. Employees will be able to schedule meetings, book necessary equipment and confirm their presence or absence remotely. Company managers will have more time for real-world tasks because they won't have to figure out where to have a meeting or call in an emergency.
If there is a need for increased security and control of access levels (such as in a banking or military facility), you need IoT solutions that do not interfere with workflow. Biometric authentication methods already exist in closed areas - fingerprint, retina, voice and face recognition.
In the future, this Internet of Things trend will take over 80% of companies. IoT-equipped offices are not just about controlling the temperature or lighting with a smartphone, but about building a conducive environment for more efficient and safer work.
It's funny, but even something as small as a smart speaker in the kitchen can noticeably improve the overall mood of a team. We spend 8 (or even more) hours a day in offices, so why not make the routine enjoyable?
Rapid population growth, industrialization and urbanization all sound very cool, but entail environmental problems. The more people, the more problems with collecting, sorting and disposing of trash, so the Internet of Things trends are not without its environmental concerns.
"Green" IoT offers solutions that help people save resources and use technology that reduces waste to a minimum. For example, a waste management system with shredding mechanisms or a transportation system in which cars can move at the same speed a short distance apart. In this way, fuel consumption will be much lower.
The Internet of Things helps keep track of energy consumption and waste production. Smart sensors collect and transmit data on energy consumption to specialists. For example, a thermostat reminds you when to turn off the heating based on the collected data, and water management sensors warn you that you're about to exceed your desired water consumption level.
Special devices have long monitored how metropolitan areas affect the environment: collecting detailed information about air quality, the amount of garbage.
To solve the problem of the negative impact of exhaust gases on the environment, for example, there is Air Quality Eggs, an Internet of Things platform to combat air pollution. In fact, this system collects data on air quality from residents themselves. AQE is widely used in America, Western Europe, and East Asia.
The Internet of Things in retail helps entrepreneurs improve the operation of establishments and enhance the customer experience. IoT can be used to monitor product shelf life and track deliveries. By 2025, the proliferation of IoT technology in retail will reach more than $35 billion.
The Internet of Things is a tool aimed at improving communication between the customer and the brand. Dedicated sensors can track customer actions and share that data with a company's marketing team. Creating personalized content for specific segments to help customers find the right product quickly and painlessly is easier than ever.
The lack of an elaborate system for navigating a large store is one common problem that can be a barrier to a potential shopper's journey. IoT devices with built-in WiFi, Bluetooth and VR technology can simplify navigation and help shoppers find the product they want faster.
Long lines are wasted time. The Internet of Things allows brands to manage in-store wait times and increase customer loyalty: for example, by offering impatient customers a way to distract themselves.
The Internet of Things has made online shopping accessible to all users - this technology allows the retailer to update the delivery status so that the user can see the current location of the order.
No matter how popular messengers are, for most people live communication by voice remains the most familiar way to communicate. IoT devices that can be controlled by voice are especially cool for those who don't have time to waste typing information.
•The mobility of voice devices
•The widespread use of smart speakers
•Advances in natural language processing
Virtual assistants - Amazon Alexa, Microsoft Cortana, Apple Siri or Google Home - are becoming increasingly commonplace in homes around the world. They know how to connect to other smart home systems (such as lighting and thermostats) to automate our lives.
Remember the villain in The Fifth Element? 20 years ago, we were literally amazed by the range of smart toys that could be called up at the touch of a button. Robot vacuum cleaner, smart lighting, SmartTV - now none of these things surprise us anymore.
Whether the IoT-technology industry is taking over or has already taken us over, it is impossible to say for sure. Even if for some people "smart" things seem to be just gizmos for those who are too lazy to get up off the couch or vacuum the unlovely carpet, the fact remains. This is a promising niche in which there is definitely a place for your startup. IoT trends will increase the level of user engagement in your product, and with it the conversion rate.
All you have to do is find a professional development team. You can start with an MVP to test the idea, and add more cool features after the release.
If you're one of those who are not afraid of the uprising of machines - contact us!