Fifty years ago, the popular science fiction author, Isaac Asimov, had shared his vision for the world in 2014. As per his article published in New York Times in 1964, his predictions for how the world might be in 2014 are astonishingly accurate. He may not have got the modern day jargons correct but he hit the right chords with the core concepts of his predictions. He had written then about the evolution of communication to sight-sound, advancement in the use of robotics, role of nuclear power and the prevalence of 3-D technology among other significant developments. One of his notable predictions was a world of wireless devices in 2014. And five decades later, the latest buzz-word is ?Internet of Things? (IoT) which simply means a world of internet-enabled, wireless devices.
The world of technology has evolved by leaps and bounds in the last two or three decades. 3D TV screens, 3D printing, smart watch, talking microwave, robotic vacuum cleaner?all these elements of science fiction from years ago are now a part of the real world. The power of the internet presents immense possibilities for transforming our lives and the world at large. Internet-enabled smartphones, watches, white goods, home entertainment systems, controlled lighting systems, reading devices, robotic healthcare systems are all bringing together a connected world. The future of ?Internet of Things? is no longer too distant. It is happening right now, all around us.
As per experts, the term Internet of Things refers to the network of physical objects that contain embedded technology to communicate and sense or interact with their internal states or the external environment. In simple words, when ordinary objects can sense and communicate with computing power, it changes how and where decisions are made, and who makes them. IoT is anticipated to be the most exciting trend of the modern world and can impact the lives of billions. Connected cities with internet-enabled devices lead to more efficient allocation of resources and a streamlined governance process. This fundamental concept, implemented optimally, can help us create a better, productive planet. And as per Asimov, 2014 could actually be the turning point.
The market opportunity of IoT is humongous. As per Gartner, IoT will include 26 billion units installed by 2020, and by that time, IoT products and services suppliers will generate incremental revenue exceeding $300 billion, mostly in services. While IDC expects the technology and services revenue of IoT to expand from $4.8 trillion in 2012 to $7.3 trillion by 2017 at an 8.8% CAGR, Cisco estimates that 50 billion devices and objects will be connected to the internet by 2020.
It is extremely important to move beyond technologies that only connect people with other people, to those that connect machines and devices for more evolved communication and interaction. The smartphones and mobility devices the common man uses today have the potential to spearhead the IoT movement. BlackBerry and QNX have a long history of developing solutions that can create a connected ecosystem of devices and machines. Solutions that connect and support the IoT, including embedded platforms, networks and devices, are at the core of QNX offerings. QNX has a specific group called the QNX Software Systems? new Cloud business, which is dedicated to bringing such solutions to market in a timely and cohesive manner. Time-tested for 30 years, QNX technology has proven itself in everything from in-car infotainment units to high-end routers and life-critical systems such as air traffic control systems, surgical equipment, and nuclear power plants. Audi, BMW, Cisco, GE Energy (Industrial Turbines), Emerson, Land Rover, United States Postal Service, General Motors, Siemens Medical, Johnson & Johnson, Caterpillar, Honeywell are some of the well-known customers across sectors like automotive, power & energy, telecom, healthcare, industry, security & defence where QNX technology has enabled success over the years. With QNX, BlackBerry is well poised to move beyond mobile computing, playing a leading role in the Internet of Things.
We have already been witnessing a humongous growth in data generation due to social media platforms. As it gains traction, IoT will also lead to immense data explosion. Now, the next big question is what can be done with the data these connected devices, systems and sensors collect? With all the available information from IoT, the possibilities are limitless and it opens up new capabilities and unprecedented economic opportunities across segments like businesses, governments, healthcare, insurance and more.
Besides devices, RFID, near-field communication, barcodes, QR codes and digital watermarking form an integral part of the IoT revolution. Wearables, mobile computing, enterprise mobility?these are leading the trend at the moment. An organisation can achieve tremendous benefits harnessing the power of cloud, mobility, collaboration, and IoT.
With the Internet of Things, we can turn daily use accessories like watches, shoes, home appliances and daily commute mechanism like cars, trains into powerful connected mobile computing end points with incremental benefits. You are just a click away from controlling your household appliances, car, finances or work life from the ease of your smartphone or any other wearable device. With security and management layers like those provided by BlackBerry?s Enterprise Mobility Management system, this provides reliability and peace of mind for the end user irrespective of location and time of day.
It is difficult to predict the future like Asimov but with internet and new technologies, the future is definitely more promising. So, get set for a connected, smart world courtesy the internet!
The author is MD, Blackberry India