There is no surprise that IoT is growing at an exponential rate. From vehicles to wearable gadgets to software advancing past a basic function, IoT has been slowly integrating itself in various aspects of our life. We can’t deny the fact that we have more connected gadgets in our home today than we ever did before. In many ways, the Internet of Things has really changed the way we live, and it will keep doing so in the next few years.
Today, developers are constantly finding new ways to exploit this technology. Knowing this, it will be interesting to see what 2019 has in store for us. As per industry leaders, this year is going to bring emerging trends that will set the trajectory of IoT for decades to come.
Here are a few reasons why this year will be the year of IoT devices!
1) Excessive Connectivity Across All Boards
Have a look at the IoT market and the connectivity statistics, and you will know what the fuss is all about. According to IDC, IoT spending will experience an annual growth rate of 13.6% in the timeframe of 2017-2022, leading to a $1.2 trillion spend by 2022. This means that there will be a rapid increase in the connectivity of digital signals in the future.
Expect our homes to be more connected this year. Although we all know about home assistants like Apple’s HomePod and Google Home, home connectivity is certainly not limited to these devices. Many companies are now endeavoring to bring connectivity to traditional home durables as well. Samsung’s smart refrigerator is the latest example of that!
2) Penetration In The Health Care Industry
With an upsurge seen in the IoT field, it won’t be long before the major industries start implementing this technology in their work process. In fact, it has already begun! Just look at the healthcare industry. You will find advanced Apple devices such as the new Apple watches that are adequately equipped to monitor your health.
Be it smartwatches or digital pills, companies are continuously looking for ways to use this technology to regulate our body functions and influence our health. In 2019, there is a high chance that companies like Google will embark on greater projects to infuse connectivity with medical science.
3) Increased Cybersecurity
While there is no doubt that IoT is transforming our world, it is also making us vulnerable to hacks and security issues. This is going to change in 2019! Many hardware manufacturers like Cisco and Dell are now focusing on coming up with better and more secure edge technology. Now security vendors will not only be able to offer effective endpoint solutions to prevent data loss but will also give insights into threat protection.
Moreover, consumers will become more aware of how much their world is connected. This will result in the public and the government to call for more effective hack prevention options. No doubt, we are likely to witness more regulatory entities proposing and enforcing new regulations.
4) Growing Customer Expectations
We are already becoming habitual of IoT in some ways. We all know how to track our packages, from the beginning until the delivery. Since consumers are getting more aware of greater connectivity, they will start demanding increased visibility in the upcoming years. They would want to know more about the product and how it is going to reach them. Thanks to IoT, we may be able to see more clarity in the dealings between customers and supply chains.
5) Increased Use Of Smart Device Applications
You don’t have to be a techie to see how IoT is influencing our world. From Amazon’s Alexa to Google Home, we are surrounded by smart devices, and they are actually here to stay! Smart technology has already made our security system far more capable than before. So, it will be interesting to see what other areas it will impact this year. Many experts have predicted a sharp rise in smart devices across various areas, including automotibles, transportation, healthcare, and more.
Another anticipated technology this year is 5G networks that will usher a new era in the telecom industry. It will enable us to gather, manage, and analyze a large amount of data in real-time.
6) Focus On Artificial Intelligence
In 2019, IoT experts are expecting to realize a particular milestone in the technology industry, i.e. enabling artificial intelligence. Many organizations have already built their networks, and AI is supposed to fill the gap between collecting the data and utilizing it. No wonder, many companies find it more profitable to invest in artificial intelligence rather than investing in more sensors.
7) Rise Of Big Players
The competition between the industry giants is expected to intensify this year. You will see companies like Microsoft and Google competing with each other to introduce the best IoT devices. With big players going against each other, small companies will focus on the niche areas to survive in the race.
Many companies are also testing new IoT devices for refrigerated container monitoring. One such company, Orbcomm, has come up with cellular-based CT 3000 and CT 3100 units that can be plugged into the reefer units of containers. This results in two-way access to sensor data and GPS location information, helping transport companies to adjust conditions remotely by just using a software program.
However, this is only the tip of the iceberg. We expect to see even more advancements in 2019 and the upcoming years. This year is surely going to be very pivotal in terms of connectivity and IoT technology.