The Internet of Things (IoT) has been changing our everyday lives in ways we most likely don’t even realise. From counting our steps to regulating the temperature in our home and even answering our front door, IoT have applications in almost every area of life. Enriching our lives with data, IoT allows us to use that information to improve or direct behaviour, increase efficiencies and even improve productivity.
The transformative nature of IoT may be changing the world – but what do those changes actually look like? We have listed four ways that IoT is changing the world.
1. Commuting
Gone are the days when the radio traffic report will be the first to tell you when your travel route is facing congestion. Now, real-time data is available showingtraffic congestion, accidents and roadworks via something as simple as google maps. Typing in your route map will immediately bring up reports of delays or congestion with a timed impact on your arrival time as well as route alternatives.
Reducing traffic waiting times can help to reduce carbon emissions, but there is a side benefit to having this information to hand. Google can also offer public transport info to contrast and compare how timings could differ if choosing to travel by bus, train or even rent-a-bikes for a more eco-friendly option.
2. The internet of City Management
City integration of IoT devices supports a city council to better manage how a city can function on a day to day level. Congestion aside, traffic management can be less automated and driven by demand using real time info from road sensors. Similarly, sensors can be used to indicate to road users the nearest available parking slots. Meaning road users have eyes on the ground when it comes to parking and no more driving round wasting fuel searching for a spot.
Of course, with driverless car technology advancing at speed, parking sensors might become a thing of the past before they’ve even been widely introduced.
3. Transforming the Workplace
he IoT has already transformed so many industries, making vast improvements across a range of sectors. Perhaps most transformative has been the ability to work remotely for everyday office workers. This was a factor that largely helped keep vast swathes of the economy running during the Covid pandemic. Across healthcare, manufacturing and even education, IoT has changed the way people can do business.
But one of the key aspects of IoT in the workplace has been the proven ability to increase productivity in the pursuit of key outputs or KPI’s. A simple example is the impact of IoT on logistics. It is now possible to track equipment, vehicles and products across the global marketplace. From knowing the location of the Amazon delivery driver to understanding whether a shipment of parts will arrive in time without causing production delays –IoT keeps businesses moving at speed.
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4. Green Benefits of IoT
Another key benefit of IoT has been thatability to provide data that can influence and change our behaviour, processes or ability to plan. Smart meters are a great example of IoT. They help to visualise energy consumption to consumers, which in turn makes it clear the impact of usage on cost. This cost impact has been difficult for consumers to quantify previously. Smart heating systems also fall into this category, helping to create a link between an individual, thehome / office and the thermostat without having a physical presence. Again, helping to drive down unnecessary usage.
If the IoT of things has one main advantage in the role of energy, it is making usage clear in a way that allows for efficiencies to be made. Which in a world of climate change and rising energy costs – is of great benefit to global consumers.
