The Internet of Things
I saw a slideshow (thanks eWeek) this morning about Google’s interest in developing an OS for the “internet of things” and it got me thinking about the revolutionary changes that we are about to encounter. The OECD wrote a report about machine to machine communication back in 2012 where they predicted 50 billion devices will be connected in someway by the end of the decade. Those devices are going to provide a lot of data and, likely, a window into our lives that hasn’t existed before. We will be developing an understanding of how people behave inside their homes (how long was that shower and how much electricity do we use each day?). Motion sensors can track our progress through a home and into the yard and while we are driving – wait a minute! That is already covered by our constant use of smartphones and location services!
Hopefully we can have an insightful discussion around this next generation of devices and establish a few guidelines of our own.
I am not sure what kind of technology Google would introduce as an "OS" for IoT. We already have all the technology that the IoT needs. Wifi, USB, tiny computing devices. What's left is just the challenge of shaping a market that doesn't exist yet. By declaring an IoT "OS", google would be launching a marketing effort more than a technology effort. What's really interesting about IoT is that it's still very much wide open. The new market and business models that emerge might very well belong to a company (or companies) that nobody has heard of yet.
Good insights! I am at #AquaHacking today listening to the top ten groups present evidence-based decision making tools. IoT is a great way to gather lots of evidence.
Dean - I was just at McRock Capital's Industrial Internet of Things Symposium yesterday in Montreal. This sector is moving very quickly both for industrial applications but also for consumable/wearable applications. Progress will likely outstrip any timeline for government regulation. I think this will be a case of "emerging self-regulation" or "de facto regulation" from the emerging market winners. Regards, Peter