Connected World Expanded by 24 Internet of Things Devices
The world of Internet of Things (IoT) is set to expand significantly, with a projected total of over **32.1 billion** devices by 2030 [1]. This growth is driven by the increasing use of IoT across various sectors, including consumer electronics, industrial automation, and smart infrastructure. The consumer segment is expected to maintain a significant share, approximately **60%** of all IoT devices, primarily due to the proliferation of consumer internet and media devices such as smartphones [1].
One of the key growth drivers is the adoption of 5G technology, which promises faster data transfer rates and lower latency, making IoT devices more efficient and responsive [3][4]. The increasing use of smart devices, coupled with government initiatives in smart cities, is also contributing to the growth of IoT.
In the consumer segment, Samsung's SmartThings IoT Hub includes the S90C TV, which delivers high-quality resolution and AI features. Meanwhile, the Amazon Echo Dot is a voice-controlled smart speaker that can control smart plugs and thermostats, answer questions, and perform tasks. Apple Watch Ultra 2, a smartwatch powered by a new dual-core CPU, enables users to control timers, answer calls, and perform other actions.
Beyond consumer electronics, IoT devices are used in various industries. For example, in logistics, retail, energy, IT infrastructure, and autonomous vehicles. Ford is testing connected traffic lights that would time red and green lights for emergency vehicles and explore the benefits of combining automated and connected vehicles on the same networked infrastructure.
In the industrial sector, Bastille's Enterprise security system gathers data from company equipment using security sensors to hunt down questionable or unauthorized radio signals within the workspace. Samsung's Bespoke refrigerators can connect to a smartphone app, allowing users to view the inside of their fridge and preheat the oven. Johnson Controls offers a range of chillers to choose from, including air-cooled, water-cooled, and absorption chillers, and their smart connected chillers gather data from a building's equipment, analyze it, and notify businesses when it's time for an upgrade or maintenance.
In healthcare, Dexcom's G6 one-touch applicator is an IoT healthcare device that continuously measures glucose levels and sends the data wirelessly to a display device via a transmitter. Dexcom has since followed up its G6 with the release of the G7, an IoT healthcare device with more advanced features. Google's Nest Protect is a smart smoke and CO detector that provides audible warnings and explains where smoke or CO is located.
In the realm of smart homes, Lutron's Vive Hub is a smart lighting system that communicates with wireless lighting sensors to control lights, dim them, brighten them, and report back energy consumption. FORME offers two smart mirror options for home workouts, equipped with a high-definition touchscreen and enhanced audio. The NETGEAR Orbi Pro WiFi 6 is a smart WiFi system that delivers comprehensive coverage using a mesh system, built to handle more connected devices and data than previous models.
In the field of security, Iristick creates smart glasses for the workplace, including the Iristick.G2 and the Iristick.G2 Pro, which are outfitted with a zoom lens, a heads-up display, and gesture and voice command controls. BenjiLock has designed two smart locks, one for TSA requirements and the other for daily usage, both of which unlock upon recognizing a user's fingerprint.
In the autonomous vehicles sector, John Deere's experimental self-driving tractor features six pairs of stereo cameras to gauge distance and capture a 360-degree view as it plows through fields within a geofence. Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing fleet uses LiDAR sensors to provide a 360-degree view of a vehicle's surroundings.
Lastly, Samsara offers equipment monitoring technology that provides location tracking to combat losses from theft and utilization reporting to help businesses optimize resource allocation. Honeywell's Connect Me app teams up with its smart thermostat TC500A to allow remote monitoring of commercial buildings from a mobile device. Ford is installing smart traffic lights in the Wisconsin town of Fort Atkinson to more efficiently regulate traffic and reduce the amount of time cars spend idling.
IoT devices connect to a central server to get more information and compare and transmit data to public websites and services. They gather information via their sensors and use software to analyze it and make decisions based on the data. This interconnectedness allows IoT devices to instruct other IoT devices on what to do, creating a network of smart devices that can work together to improve efficiency, safety, and convenience.
References: [1] Statista (2021) The number of IoT devices is expected to surpass 29.4 billion by 2030. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1123517/iot-number-of-connected-devices/ [2] Gartner (2020) IoT Adoption in Consumer Electronics and Media. https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-02-10-gartner-says-iot-adoption-in-consumer-electronics-and-media [3] IDC (2020) IDC Forecasts Worldwide IoT Spending to Reach $1.1 Trillion in 2023. https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS46949820 [4] McKinsey & Company (2017) IoT: The Next Frontier for Growth. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/high-tech/our-insights/iot-the-next-frontier-for-growth
- The rising adoption of 5G technology, as seen in devices like Samsung's SmartThings IoT Hub and the NETGEAR Orbi Pro WiFi 6, contributes significantly to the efficiency and responsiveness of IoT devices.
- In the healthcare sector, the use of IoT devices such as Dexcom's G7 and Google's Nest Protect, provides advanced features like continuous glucose level monitoring and smart smoke detection, contributing to improved patient care and home safety.
