Internet of Things Applications

The Internet of Things (IoT) could impact the global economy to the tune of $6.2 trillion by 2025, according to McKinsey&Company. But what does that mean?



OpinionsThe simplest definition of the IoT is "a proposed development of the Internet in which everyday objects have network connectivity, allowing them to send and receive data." This definition uses the term in a sentence, which could also serve as a disclaimer: "if one thing can prevent the Internet of things from transforming the way we live and work, it will be a breakdown in security."

I've written negatively about some aspects of the IoT, especially the home automation pipe dreams, which I'm not convinced people actually want. It's kind of cool to control appliances and temperatures and music distribution around the house, but is it necessary? It's a glorified Clapper.

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In many instances, we can get a hint of what kinds of devices will be connected. Newer cars, for example, have micro-sensors that will tell you when a tire needs air or gas in the tank. If this was part of an IoT scheme, it could report when you had a flat tire or when your car ran out of gas to AAA.

The IoT will have an impact on the automobile industry in all sorts of ways, although I suspect it will be used to issue traffic citations, especially speeding tickets, in states that rely on income from scofflaws.

The surveillance aspect will only be brought online once the technologies are commonplace enough so as not to excite the public. But even with a little optimism, I find it hard to imagine that the IoT will have a multi-trillion dollar impact within nine years. This report does alert me to the possibility. Now I'm alerting you.

See more at: pcmag.com