Internet of Things "roadmap" (via wiki)
Ah-yes… the Internet of Things - a recent phenomenon that is positively plaguing the creation of innovative, network-ready devices of all sorts. These devices encompass the “things” that the Internet of Things objective plans to account for in a seemingly endless, interconnected network of self-identifying and self-monitored objects. The term “internet of things” was first coined by Kevin Ashton in 1999 as he went on to give the world a fresh perspective on the future implications of network connected devices in the absence of human interference. But what exactly does the phenomenon entail? And what does it tell us about the way our future tech is being designed?
Ashton describes the IoT as a way of envisioning how the world would function if all “things” that humans draw information from were able to communicate their real-time status to a network without a human mediating that information. As he continues on, all of the incredible amounts of information on the Internet itself was placed there by a human - so what if we concoct a way to get all of that data there without human interference? In this way, Ashton believes that keep track of, monitor, and count every “thing” immediately as the information becomes available - this would effectively reduce waste and costs by knowing exactly when “things” need attention.
Ashton’s view of the phenomena gives general insight on the recent trend that has sparked the development of devices easily monitored and operated remotely via mobile software applications. Zigbee powered devices, for example, create expandable mesh networks where communication happens through and between compliant devices without the need for a centralized computer - a common application for wireless home security systems that can be monitored on a smartphone while away from home.
An interesting aspect of the IoT is the optimized space-time architecture it would create. Similar to the current internet structure, information would be updated to an online database that can be monitored. However, the fact that data regarding these objects would be available in real-time changes the way time is utilized to predict future events - using linear, probabilistic, or standardized models will become a “thing of the past.” By immediately having access to data regarding all pertinent information of an object in the environment, action would be taken to address any issues on a completely context-based world model.
Originally, the IoT concept became known through the Auto-ID network that would tag objects, people included, with RFID technology. However, the popular concept is now spreading to a wide range of publicly available consumer gear. Ninja Blocks, for example, provides consumers with an in-home series of wirelessly interconnected computers that detect motion, light, humidity, temperature, and much more. Users can set the device up to send messages, tweets, etc. to their phones when a light turns on in their house, or the temperature in the fridge is getting too warm. Cosm, formerly Pachube, has already created a way for developers to upload sensor data to an IoT web environment used to create applications.
So, it is clear that technology is moving to an IoT based environment, and the implications seem strongly beneficial to humans as well as the world. Being able to accommodate to human and worldly needs in a real-time fashion would give way for a more technologically aided harmonious way of life. It may be awhile before the IoT phenomenon takes evolving technology to that level, but it sure will be exciting to see how it will continue to influence the development of devices in the future.
Everything monitored, everything watched… how do you feel about it?
I’m for it, myself…
C
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