Science Fiction Becomes Science Fact

Hold on to your seat, if you thought the pace of technology was rapid before you haven’t seen anything yet. In fact, once you understand the next big thing you very well may experience a cold chill up your spine.

Here’s the latest. Of course you know what the Internet is all about. Even the most remote populations are now regularly accessing the Internet on their Smartphones. So what do you suppose is to going to happen when its not just people accessing the Internet, but remote devices.

The word in use currently is the Internet of Things. Although this concept would have been laughed at a scant two decades ago, the reality is that this is fast becoming an everyday reality. What this means in practice is that smart sensors can and will be installed in the most arcane locations. Then once all of these sensors are linked together through the Internet, you suddenly have the Internet of Things (IOT) or as some pundits are referring to it as the Internet of Everything. Admittedly the term could use a bit of work, but still the possible ramifications of widespread deployment of IOT is staggering to contemplate.

It puts a whole new spin on artificial technology does it not? Imagine what is going to happen when you combine the computing power from an organization such as Google with real time sensors located worldwide. On a more immediate and practical level, the IOT can be used to address global health concerns.

For example, data from networked diagnostic devices in a 3rd world country can pinpoint and offer real time intelligence on defense tactics for disease outbreaks. This intelligence will tell health support organizations exactly what is needed and where. No more waiting weeks or months for field reports.

Obviously, the greater the number of remote sensors or as in the case above the greater the number and availability of remote diagnostic tools, the more intelligence will be provided. At the same time, this real time intelligence can help control new outbreaks before they become widespread threats.

The above is but one small example of how the IOT is changing the world around you even now. Consider that according to Garner, there will be about 26 billion of these so-called Smart devices (sensors,etc.) in place and connected to IOT by the year 2020. Wow! Talk about a brave new world. We have only just begun to explore the possibilities with IOT.