The Internet of Things

Wikipedia states that, "The internet of things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other items—embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data. (1) And it seems the more that I hear of this term, the more I feel like I am waiting for it to happen, like it is something that will happen in the future.

Image of iot from Wikipedia

Well, today I was happy to read reporter, Chris Mims' article about it in the Wall Street Journal. Last year I taught a course in IoT and I was not too "pushed" to find examples of it, but at the same time, the examples were not your normal run-of-the-mill things that most people experience in their daily routine. It may, in fact, depend upon who you are

Mims says that, "The killer app of The Internet of Things isn't a thing [or devive] --- at all, it is services."

Many manufacturers and brands are beginning to put in an intelligence into their products, even if it is on a pilot basis, that will talk to the cloud to "prompt" you to replace or service a device or service. 

What does that look like?

• For alarm-maker, ADT, it is security
• For ride-sharing, Uber, it is transportation
• For green energy maker, Solar City, it is selling electricity
• For the Brita unit of Clorox, it is a 'wi-fi' enabled pitcher, telling when to change the filter
• For media mogul, Comcast, it is a "smart home' security system

And as Mims say, "Connectivity, the defining feature of The Internet of Things, turns out to be relatively easy to include in devices, say the engineers who work on it." But he goes on to say through the words of Ljuba Miljkovic, co-founder of Automatic Labs Inc., that it's important to ask WHY? Why do you want to connect to the cloud? Why do you want your device, service, clothing, monitor, vehicle, sensor --- thing! to be connected? How is it going to help? Do you want your refrigerator to make your shopping list based upon what is in it, and then what isn't?

"How does the combination of smarts, sensors and connectivity enhance people's lives?"

Where does the end of this happen? According to Mims, it's with peace of mind. 

What?

Mim says, "Many people cited home-care and aging in place as ripe for . . . systems used for tracking health, homes, and pets . . ." Then why not for keeping track of mom or dad as they move through their day?

And he finally says, "No one is going to sell grandma a new smart connected device anything, but selling her children "peace of mind" for a monthly fee? That sounds like the next Uber . . ."
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For more information on The Internet of Things: http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-internet-of-things-is-here-and-it-isnt-a-thing-1471799999

(1) Internet of things. (2016, August 22). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:35, August 23, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Internet_of_things&oldid=735695064