In 2015, the AT&T Foundry team’s Internet of Things (IoT) work changed how we live our lives and do business. This year alone, the shift was groundbreaking. We showed what’s possible with IoT like connected wheelchairs, luggage tracking devices, smart bins, IoT developer apps, and smart car sensors. We predict the new year will bring even more exciting opportunities.
As we prepare to usher in a new year, we're working to connect the technology of today with the innovations of tomorrow. From increased activity in sensing and tracking to connected health - we're taking IoT to a whole new level.
What do we have in store for the future of IoT? Here are some of the top trends the AT&T Foundry innovators see:
- Where’s My Stuff? Accelerated Sensing and Tracking Activities
We see the value in the untapped potential of sensing and tracking that will extend into more interesting things to come. For example, imagine sensors that can track if a food or medication shipment gets wet, or too hot or cold. Sensors can help detect changes ahead of time and prevent spoilage, saving the shipment. Think about all the things in your life - for example, your kid's bicycle, your garden, your pool - what if you could track these things in near-real time? That's what we'll explore more in depth in 2016.
- More Wearables!
Next year the concept of 'where's my stuff?' will get really interesting through wearables. We'll see improvements in making your wearable help find things for you and they will become a greater part of the things you always have with you. Wearables on a person will emerge with more autonomy. For example, there will be more options available to remotely monitor a person's environment - e.g. hazardous work zones, or health patients recuperating at home - creating greater ability to track the location/health of the person.
- Connected Health
IoT platforms like AT&T Flow Designer, will bring us quicker adaptation of open IoT systems and applications in 2016 and beyond.
Connected health solutions will be one such area to help us explore providing value for a patient's after care while at home. This helps to give aging seniors the remote health solutions required to be independent at home longer while caring for their health. Wearables will also help allow you to monitor the location and health of a person in real time. This is ideal for connected health platforms we're exploring now and in the year to come.
- Smarter Cities
Next year, and beyond, we'll be working hard on technology that contributes to the development of smarter cities. Our Foundry teams will be integrating smart/IoT technology - think connected LED lampposts, smart trash bins, traffic lights, and mobile applications - into a seamless city system that will help create a smarter environment- and you won't even have to think about it.
Eager to learn more about what the Internet of Things will let you do in the future? Check out the video below. It highlights some of the IoT activities we’re exploring that will not only make your life easier, but have the potential to change the way you live, work, and travel. Cheers to an exciting 2016 ahead!
