As 2014 began, analysts across the globe turned their attention to forecasting the year’s dominant trends. Three themes repeatedly surfaced: wearables, connected devices, and big data — all facets of what the industry now calls “The Internet of Things.”
Some observers describe this shift as the next industrial revolution, and economically they may be right. From my perspective, however, it feels more like a new renaissance.
The original Renaissance, spanning roughly the 14th to the 17th century, is best remembered for its artistic achievements and transformative ideas. It was a period of rapid cultural and intellectual change that reshaped how people created and understood the world.
Likewise, the rise of connected technology promises a long-term transformation: a rapidly expanding network of devices linked to the global web that automates tasks once done manually, boosts efficiency, and changes how we design and interact with technology.
Today, the conversation centers on smart lightbulbs and remotely controlled thermostats in the connected home. Looking forward, though, the future points toward unified platforms and shared data systems — platforms that developers can leverage to build new, innovative applications.
Collaborative efforts and industry alliances are likely to be pivotal in unlocking the Internet of Things’ full potential. Without standards and cooperation among manufacturers, progress will remain fragmented as companies with large proprietary ecosystems develop devices that only work within their own product lines.
A common platform or central database would be a powerful tool for developers, spurring creativity and rapid growth. Yet such centralization also raises significant security and privacy concerns: a single, widely used system could become a high-value target for malicious actors or intrusive surveillance.
Industry analysts forecast dramatic growth. Gartner projected billions of connected devices in the coming years, and major corporations have suggested the IoT could contribute trillions of dollars to global GDP over the next two decades. These estimates illustrate the substantial economic opportunity at stake.
Practical applications of widespread connectivity are already emerging in surprising places, from precision agriculture to livestock monitoring. In each case, sensors and networked devices enable better decision-making and operational efficiency.
One driver behind this expansion is the falling cost of components. As connectivity becomes cheaper, even low-cost processors are likely to include network capabilities, enabling more items to be connected — sometimes invisibly — and activated by software when needed.
As component prices fall and designers imagine new uses for embedded connectivity, the variety of connected products is expected to expand rapidly. Many types of devices that will be common in 2020 and beyond don’t even exist yet.
Experts envision numerous life-enhancing outcomes: wearable or environment sensors that alert emergency services when an elderly person falls, aircraft systems that continuously monitor every component to prevent failures, and precision viticulture where growers harvest grapes at ideal ripeness thanks to real-time measurements. These examples illustrate only a fraction of the possible benefits.
So why call this era a renaissance rather than an industrial revolution? Because the Internet of Things combines technology and creativity in ways that feel artistic: systems working together seamlessly to improve quality of life globally. That combination of technological harmony and cultural change is what makes this moment particularly profound.
Do you think the high expectations for a “Renaissance of Things” are justified?
To learn more about the trends shaping connected technology, consider attending industry events that bring together developers, manufacturers, and policy makers to discuss the future of the Internet of Things.