You’d think that the next generation of online networking would have more creative name than “Internet of Things.” It’s kind of like calling Facebook “Website of Socializing,” doesn’t exactly scream innovation, does it?
Well, despite the uninspiring name, Internet of Things (IoT) has become something of a technological phenomenon, perpetually gaining more attention over past few years, despite being around for over two decades. The idea of IoT is to create a network of sensors and actuators embedded in physical objects that can be linked through wired and wireless networks.
Some examples that utilize IoT include home security systems, wearable devices/fitness trackers, industrial assets and smart energy meters. Even Autoly is taking advantage of this idea to connect auto buyers and sellers to create a community that will ultimately improve the auto trading experience.
But Where Did This All Start?
Believe it or not, the idea of connecting devices has been floating around since the ‘70s. Back then it was called “embedded internet” and “persuasive computing.”
The term we know it as now, “Internet of Things,” wasn’t coined until 1999 by Kevin Ashton while working at Proctor & Gamble, a company that specializes in consumer goods, including well known products like Head & Shoulders and Pampers. During his time there, he was working in supply chain optimization and wanted to get the attention of the senior management.
This led to the birth of a new, innovative technological discovery called RFID (Radio-frequency identification).
An RFID system consisted of a tiny radio transponder, radio receiver and transmitter that used electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to certain objects. When triggered by a nearby RFID reader device, the tag would transmit digital data that identified inventory numbers back to reader, making the process of tracking inventory goods simpler.
By the way, do you want to know how Ashton came up with that brilliant name?
When he prepping to present this idea to his higher-ups, he needed to give it a name and, unfortunately, “persuasive computing” didn’t exactly roll off the tongue. Well, since the internet was an up-and-coming hot trend back at the turn of the century, everyone was seeing its benefits through communications and connectivity, he decided on “Internet of Things.”
Granted, it was right to the point. He was a brilliant tech specialist, didn’t say anything about his wordsmithing abilities.
When Did “Internet of Things” Take Off?
Surprisingly, this new concept would not start gaining popularity until 11 years later in the summer of 2010.
Information was leaked to the public that Google’s new StreetView service, on top of creating 360-degree pictures, stored tons of data from people’s Wi-Fi networks. This not only included search history but also sensitive information like passwords.
This opened a long debate if this was the start of Google’s new strategy to index the internet. It also ease people’s minds that the Chinese government announced that they would be making IoT an integral part of their five-year plan.
In 2011, a market research company called Gartner added The Internet of Things to their famous list “hype-cycle for emerging technologies” while Forbes, Fast Company and Wired started focusing their tech content on IoT vocabulary.
In 2013, IDC published a report estimating that the Internet of Things would be a $8.9 trillion market in 2020. They ended up being correct as the market was valued at $250 billion in 2019 and continues to grow.
“Internet of Things” In The Automotive Industry
Believe it or not, cars have been connected for far longer than you think. For years, they have been linking with our smartphones, streaming our music playlists and even offering roadside assistance.
Dating back to the early years of the internet, the automotive industry possibly has the longest track record.
IoT technologies are used in the automotive sector to create advanced solutions that include Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), navigation & telematics solutions Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) applications, Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) applications, Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communication applications and much more.
IoT has been able to transform infotainment systems through allowing them to connect with other in-vehicle systems as well as external devices for internet connectivity. These systems provide the driver with information navigation and telematics while also providing support connectivity with smartphones for entertainment options like podcasts or music.
An IoT gateway creates a connection between devices, sensors, equipment and the cloud. Through this connection, the gateway offers local processing and storage while autonomously control field devices based on data inputs by sensors.
These also provide connectivity to in-vehicle sensors, generating and delivering preventive and predictive maintenance alerts to whoever’s behind the wheel. The sensors also keep track of the vehicle’s functional metrics including, but not limited to, tire pressure, acceleration, fuel level, emissions and much more, notifying the driver in advance of any issues.
The Future Of “Internet of Things”
The future of IoT may be beyond what we can see, we can only speculate at this time. Only thing that’s for certain is that it will continue to grow and thrive.
For one, autonomy continues to be a major talking point in this conversation. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has claimed that their autonomous vehicles will be road-ready by the end of the year. A bold claim after many years of testing throughout North America.
Combined with artificial intelligence (AI), IoT will bring a new progress this year in monitoring and maintenance. AI and IoT use sensors and machine learning to provide more detailed driving analyses while tracking parts on the vehicle that require maintenance.
This will not only help automobile owners, but it will also help flourish trucking and other transportation businesses. Both the automotive industry and IoT technologies will continue to being each other to new levels in the upcoming years, it be interesting to see how far they’ll go.