Cybersecurity seems to be one of those issues that just keeps coming up in discussions about the IoT (Internet of Things). When talking about healthcare, connected cars, and so on, as an industry we recognize security as a hurdle for enterprise adoption and innovation as well as consumer or end user adoption.
Is technology enriching human lives or detracting from them? The benefits of adopting mobile and connected devices and IoT (Internet of Things)-enabled solutions include everything from patients with chronic illnesses being able to track health metrics to enterprises being able to generate new revenue opportunities by leveraging realtime data.
The projections for the IoT (Internet of Things) are numerous, exciting, and often sky high. Is the industry over reaching with its expectations? Is it under reaching? It’s impossible to know how the future will play out, but it seems the IoT will definitely play an important role in how industries operate and businesses run down the road, even as it shapes the way societies thrive and individuals live.
What do John Horn, Intel, and rumors all have in common? They all seem to be a playing a role in catching the IoT (Internet of Things) eye of anyone who follows the space. Just before we all headed off to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday it seems there was a lot of fireworks in the IoT space as it was announced that the formidable John Horn was stepping down from his role as CEO at Ingenu. It’s still unclear as to why he left his role as CEO which he took over in 2015 to help build wireless networks across the globe.
A while back I sat down with Thomas Wolf, chairman & CEO at RIB Software AG, www.ribamericas.com, to discuss what needs to take place to ensure that both the construction and manufacturing industries embrace the IoT (Internet of Things). We also bantered back and forth about how emerging technologies and digitization will make a difference to the bottomlines of companies of all sizes. What follows is a two-part discussion that will most likely excite, and perhaps, frustrate readers when trying to determine the future of technology and where it’s headed.
Back in 2014, research and analysis firm Gartner, www.gartner.com, predicted that by this year, 2017, 50% of IoT (Internet of Things) solutions would originate in startup companies that are three years old or less. Makers, tinkerers, and startups are fueling innovation and often creating new niche markets for the IoT, forcing larger tech providers to sit up and take notice and, in some cases, try to keep up.
According to the U.S. EIA (Energy Information Admin.), about 40% of total U.S. energy expenditure was consumed by the residential and commercial sectors—mostly buildings—in 2016. In fact, 40% of the entire globe’s total energy consumption is generally attributed to buildings. With building energy consumption being as high as it is, it is a priority for businesses and building owners, as well as cities and governments, to find ways to manage this energy more efficiently and intelligently.
A while back I sat down with Thomas Wolf, chairman & CEO at RIB Software AG, www.ribamericas.com, to discuss what needs to take place to ensure that both the construction and manufacturing industries embrace the IoT (Internet of Things). We also bantered back and forth about how emerging technologies and digitization will make a difference to the bottomlines of companies of all sizes. What follows is a two-part discussion that will most likely excite, and perhaps, frustrate readers when trying to determine the future of technology and where it’s headed.
The pressure to do more with less permeates just about every industry, especially now that IoT (Internet of Things) devices and technology solutions have opened the door to so many new possibilities in so many contexts. For utilities managing city water usage, legislation, social, and environmental pressures to reduce water consumption, an aging infrastructure, and finances are all motivating factors for utilities to adopt smart water management solutions enabled by the IoT.
In May, Peggy Smedley was joined by Pat Jones, executive director and CEO, International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Assn., who explains that although the need and emphasis for improved infrastructure is on the rise, additional turmoil in Washington may cause further delays in major plans for renovations. He adds that with the rise of electric cars and other sustainable automobiles will come vehicle mile travel charges that will contribute more funds for smarter roadways. ibtta.org
No. 10. How do you get to No. 10? With data, a little bit of talent, and a lot of hard work doesn’t hurt either. That’s what it took for Spaniard Rafael Nadal to reach a record-setting tenth grand slam title winning the French Open at Roland Garros last week. The former No. 1, ending an odyssey of injury, showed the tennis community that dedication, a tenacity to win, and the right tennis equipment—all armed with key information—will lead to unprecedented success. Nadal now has 15 majors, surpassing American Pete Sampras for the second-most in history only to trail Swiss player Roger Federer for the all-time lead.
The IIoT (industrial Internet of Things) may just be one of the most important drivers of growth and productivity in the next decade, according to Accenture, www.accenture.com, which estimates the IIoT could add more than $14 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Similarly, Grand View Research, www.grandviewresearch.com, says the emergence of low-power hardware devices, cloud integration, Big Data analytics, robotics and automation, and smart sensors will elevate the IIoT market to new heights in the next decade.
In last week’s column I pointed out some of the trends we’ve seen during the past few years while compiling Connected World’s annual Women of M2M list. I’m going to narrow the discussion a bit in today’s column by focusing on women in engineering. There’s a glaring retention problem, and some recent studies and articles I’ve come across have convinced me the topic deserves some more exploration. Especially since so many women who make our Women of M2M list have engineering backgrounds.
Autonomous vehicles are one of the most important ways technology will change society in the next few decades. Along with being one of the most exciting and promising sectors of the IoT (Internet of Things), autonomous vehicles also raise some of the most pressing questions facing the industry today. From infrastructure to safety and security to insurance, self-driving cars will bring waves of change not only to the transportation sector but also far beyond it.
This month is dedicated to celebrating women in technology, as well as innovation in the Internet of Things. Half of the U.S. workforce is made up of women, but males outnumber women in tech jobs—especially in leadership roles.