After a fairly quiet 2018 and with Europe’s strong IoT market (19.8% growth expected in 2019, according to the IDC*), this year is expected to usher in an explosion of connected objects. Many experts are even predicting a rollout similar to what mobile phones experienced in the early 2000s, particularly in the smart home segment.
Let’s take a look at IoT uses and trends in 2019.
Business-focused development
According to the analyst firm Forrester, B2B IoT applications are expected to grow significantly in 2019, and businesses will benefit from future developments, including improved application efficiency, company connections (building monitoring, data management through fully integrated dashboard applications, and preventive and predictive maintenance), extended data processing, and a customized customer experience. The health sector and general public services are the primary targets of these new technical advances.
Home automation at the heart of changing homes
In France, 2.9 million connected objects for homes were sold in 2018, accounting for 57% of IoT sales, with a huge demand for products that make homes safer and more energy efficient. Still, some individuals are wary about purchasing such items, stemming from two factors:
– less media coverage of connected objects compared to 2017
– security vulnerabilities that were detected and sometimes exploited in the past
Percentage of respondents who would like to have connected objects in their home **
**Survey conducted in May 2018. Multiple responses were possible. Only the top eight objects were selected. Source: Promotelec/Sociovision
The focus in 2019 will undoubtedly be security, proper use, and best practices to follow in IoT. Comprehensive training on IoT security is becoming more popular, with the main goal being to ensure the best possible user experience, along with maximum develop and data security. Digital identity and personal data issues are key. Some argue that security is more important than innovation if user trust is to be maintained, while others believe that such an approach slows down technical progress. The modern debate between security and progress is back.
Edge computing, machine learning, AI: moving toward ever smarter IoT
Several development opportunities exist outside of the residential sector:
- Smart cities: Nearly 50% of European projects related to the development of smart cities.
- Connected devices: In 2019, there will be 26.66 billion connected devices in the world.
- Industrial applications: Companies in the industrial sector are completing proofs of concept and installing sensors or connecting their active machines to production lines.
- Connected buildings, which will go much further than managing the simple home automation of lighting, heating, and coffee makers.
Number of connected devices worldwide from 2015 to 2025***
***Source: IHS – © Statista 2019
In terms of data collection and processing, the IoT will incorporate an increasing amount of AI and will be capable of making better predictions, leading to even smarter, more independent, and more autonomous connected objects. The IoT has more surprises in store.
Meanwhile, Overkiz continues to innovate and offer state-of-the-art solutions to meet market trends.
* IDC: International Data Corporation – www.idc.com
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