The Internet of Things continues to add new things daily to a growing list of already connected things; and these "things" have the opportunity to completely change our world. Capabilities like context awareness, increased processing power and energy independence have all been made possible as more people and new types of information are connected. And each day, society gains and learns from these innovations, all a part of the Internet of Everything -a network of networks where billions of connections create unprecedented opportunities as well as new risks.
When it comes to the actual physical devices that are moving the Internet of Everything forward, most think of traditional conduits such as laptops, phones and "wearables." But, the connections that are creating the Internet of Everything come in forms many may not even consider, from toothbrushes, trashcans, power tools -even entire cities. And while all of these connections amaze with their technology, the value that they create is the real story, for what it means now and for the future of our society.
Much is at stake when discussing the value that the Internet of Things holds. At this year's CES Conference, it was estimated that the Internet of Things would become a$19 trillion market over the next several years. The number of mobile-connected devices will exceed the world's population by the end of this year and by 2018, 96 percent of mobile data traffic will originate from these smart devices. The amount of these connections, coupled with reduced technology costs, has created possibilities for the future of the Internet of Things that are seemingly limitless:
Serving as a link to the Internet of Everything, all of the connected things that make up the fabric of the Internet of Things are leading to new economic opportunities, increased personalized connections and more importantly, positive intersections of technology and the human experience. Far beyond the monetary values that it can present to society, the Internet of Things is powerfully changing and improving quality of life for people across the globe, with billions of opportunities awaiting us all.
What impact has the Internet of Everything had on your life, professionally or personally? Thinking futuristically, in what ways can you dream of that use the Internet of Things and the Internet of Everything to change our world?
We want to know what examples of the Internet of Everything you see in your own City of Tomorrow -your neighborhood! Join the conversation online by tagging your photo and video examples with#InternetofEverything and #CityofTomorrow. How is the Internet of Everything changing your city?
Additional resources:
Review the Cisco Visual Networking Index: Global Data Traffic Forecast Update, 2013