Here's How The 'Internet Of Things' Will Bring A Paradigm Shift In Consumer Technology In 2017

IoT or Internet of Things is all the rage in the industry right now and with good reason. Consumers have started understanding the concept of IoT and have gradually started taking interest in the benefits it brings along. So can we say we are approaching a future where devices will be more communicative? Will everything be automated and manual use of devices be reduced to zero? There¡¯s one thing for certain, that we are definitely staring at a future which will be more device enabled.

IoT has led to a lot of innovations. Until five years back, could we have thought of a smart hospital bed? No. But today we are much closer to this reality. Similarly, did we ever think that voice controls would take over manual applications of devices? In this case, voice becomes the primary user interface for the smart home and connected lifestyle. In 2017, the market will come across newer inventions, which would potentially transform the IoT market completely, giving us a glimpse of what¡¯s to come. Let¡¯s look through a few important consumer IoT trends for 2017.

IoT in Healthcare in 2017

The Internet of Things is slowly starting to weave into healthcare on both the doctor and patient fronts. From automatically scheduling appointments to using fitness tracking wearables to collect health data which can be accessed by your hospital, doctors can understand various health patterns due to connected IoT devices to offer the optimum diagnosis. Smart beds further enhance the patient care by accessing data and adjusting accordingly. Another consumer side healthcare application will be for elderly care, where devices will monitor movements and data of the elderly in the home and if it detects any emergency it automatically alerts the nearest hospital and assigned person for help. Healthcare, through smart application of IoT, is transforming itself tremendously.

IoT in Smart Homes in 2017

By 2020, 193 million smart home devices will be launched globally. This number gives us an insight into the rapid adoption of IoT devices for smart homes. Imagine a scenario whereby the time you reach home the AC would have cooled your home, the water heater would have heated your water and a hot cup of coffee will be waiting for you, all with the use of IoT devices connected to your smartphone. Similarly your fridge will automatically detect when certain vegetables are low on quantity, it will automatically order from the grocery store without you even lifting a finger. And from smart homes, the next logical step is smart cities, which would take IoT to the next level.

IoT in Smart Cities in 2017

Smart cities is a concept which is still in the budding stage. Though the term has evolved to mean many things to various people, yet, one thing remains constant: part of being ¡°smart¡± is utilising information and communications technology (ICT) and the Internet to address urban challenges. Companies, globally, are coming up with solutions that include intelligent street lighting which will switch itself off to conserve energy when there¡¯s no one around, mapping energy use around the city to better understand demand. For instance, garbage trucks will be alerted to the location of refuse that needs collecting and sensors in our cars will direct us towards available parking spaces.

IoT to revolutionise our world?

As companies embark on their journey of digital transformation, they are constantly on the lookout for new technologies that will support the growing needs for customers and employees. In 2017, IoT is set to take the center stage with numerous opportunities to collaborate in new ways. Organisations across the world are investing in exploring new and innovative avenues to exploit this phenomenon. An IoT platform needs to deliver secure control and insight from big data to drive business outcomes. Today, IoT devices are being used to support a variety of use cases, from connected workplaces and healthcare facilities, to smart cities.

As the market shows massive signs of a real breakthrough¡ªand breakout¡ªfor connected devices, what should companies be thinking about today? Understanding the requirements of the consumers and coming up with similar products will not only address the specific needs but at the same time create a huge prospect for the market. The future lies in interconnectivity of devices but how we manage them will decide how our digital future is eventually shaped.

About the author of this article: Mr. Chandrahas Panigrahi is Senior Director and Consumer Business Head at ACER