5 Big Predictions of IoT in 2018

Further to the discussion 5 Big Predictions of IoT in 2018, as we have entered in year 2018, we have a big question ahead of us about the future of IoT. What advancements will be made in 2018? How far we are from getting the full potential of Internet of Things (IoT)? What about the security of IoT in 2018?

While 2017 was a great year for AI Integrated Devices, Chatbots, Smart Home Hubs, Machine Learning, Sensors and so many others. But still these things are yet not able to fully understand human language, needs and react according to future. 2017 gave us the platforms and “what’s next” in the IoT big projects.

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So, here we will put our focus to the 5 mainstream which holds the future of IoT in 2018.

1. IoT devices will converge with AI, Fog Computing and Blockchain.

IoT has an immense potential, but to have a long-lasting impact on business, it needs to be integrated with other key technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, Fog Computing and Blockchain technology. In 2018, more and more companies will be moving towards creating new business models that will not only focus on revenue generating but should hit worldwide adoption and acceptance.

AI and machine learning (ML) will provide real-time analysis of data stream and enable the IoT to make strong and powerful decisions.

Fog computing will help data flow close to the data sources by extending the capabilities of cloud making such system scalable. And help them address cost issues, bandwidth, latency and more reliable.

And blockchain technology will act as an intermediary between communicating devices that will provide secure, audit-level tracking of IoT data transactions.

Investing in these technologies will help the companies to overcome various barriers like security, data analytics challenges and bandwidth. And will help them to obtain high value and create new revenue streams.

2. Organizations will take on “co-everything” approach to develop solutions.

In 2018, IoT will continue to drive the “co-economy,” or what I like to call the “co-everything” model by collaborating with companies large and small co-innovating, co-developing to develop solutions. The new co-everything model will combine horizontal, vertical and regional specialists to put their expertise and resources together for large scale IoT projects. So, the resulting solution will emerge as cost-effective, best-in-class standards, advanced technologies and future proofed models that will be based on open architectures.

Organizations big and small are understanding the importance of forming co-everything solution development model. This will bring a change to the previous models and rather forming single vendor solutions, companies will put the IoT innovations for larger projects that will better meet the technology needs and be more reliable.

The co-everything model also gave a new perspective in which the customer will be a “co-innovator”. Customers today don’t want only to be a passive recipient of products rather than be actively involved in creative process by putting their knowledge, expertise and requirements that will give a clear picture of solutions delivering. In fact, customers are becoming the center of the IoT development that will be better aligned with business.

3. IoT security will be the top priority in 2018.

2018 will be seen as the year of IoT security where organizations, businesses and technology providers will take IoT security as key priority and are investing more to train their workforces and engaging security teams to the IoT deployments from the start. They will provide education, training and certification to make them more capable to cope up with Iot security issues.

Erick Dean, Product Director, IoT, Splunk, says the risk to IoT users is real, and 2018 will be the year of visibility into that.

Today, IoT has a greater role to play in connecting people, data, processes and businesses through smartphones and smart home gadgets. Thus, merging Information Technology(IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems together. So, it is being targeted by the cybercriminals to take control on the devices that will have a great impact.

In 2016, the there was increased 110 percent cyber-attacks on industrial control systems and has the potential to increase in future by 2020 as the systems are being more connected through the IoT.

4. Top adopters of IoT technologies-Agriculture and Healthcare

With the innovations in IoT, agriculture sector will be able to cope up with various challenges like lack of workers, shortage of water, access to water and food, and safety issues. And will focus more to be more productive through smart farming techniques. Likewise, the healthcare industry will also be leading in the usage of IoT innovations from accelerated drug testing to remote patient monitoring and care.

In 2018, Aaron Oosterbaan, IoT Architect & Product Development Manager at K4Connect, predicts:

“There will be a new generation of connected wearable devices that track our health. More than just heart rate, these wearables will track blood pressure, identify heart rhythm abnormalities, monitor sleep quality, respiration rate, metabolic rate, and more. The sensor technology is being driven by companies like Valencell, made into comfortable wearables by companies like Garmin, and integrated into monitoring platforms by companies like K4Connect.”

5. China will solidify its spot as top IoT innovator and adopter.

“We need to recognize that, just as China has emerged as a leader in mobility and payment technologies, it’s also set to emerge as a leader in IoT, too,” says Kranz.

China is investing heavily in IoT innovations and inventions like its “IoT Special Fund”. As china is a high populated especially in urban areas, so there is a need to build smart cities. And finally, to cope up with chinese economy there is huge demand to find out raising the wages.

“The world needs to pay attention to what China is doing – and learn from it,” says Kranz.

As the IoT is becoming the mainstream in various enterprises and fields, government and organizations are investing millions to meet the demands of technology. Many new applications, uses and inventions are being put in to have cost-effective, low power consumption and re-creative solutions.