Generally Productive Talks #3 - Ai and IoT

Introduction

'Internet of Things' is a term first coined in 1999, by Kevin Ashton, a British technology pioneer and co-founder of the Auto-ID center at MIT, he used it to describe a network of devices that can communicate with each other. A term that now is becoming more of a reality of life day by day as billions of devices are now connected to each other around the world

The system works through sensors that collect data and share it through connections that utilize the information for whatever purpose they are designed for. The combination of IoT and Ai allows the data collected to be analyzed and optimized into useful solutions, be it a smart thermostat for your home or lights you can control through your phone, all the way up to entire traffic management systems like Singapore's ITS system which uses sensors and cameras to provide drivers and officials with real-time tracking data. All possible through sensors and analysis, IoT and Ai

The scope for what this pairing can aid with in day-to-day life is only limited to the imagination of those creating the products using it, a mouth-watering prospect I truly enjoy working within

The Past

In the 2000s IoT began with the development of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology which allowed the identification and tracking of physical objects through radio waves. Wireless Networks and early Big Data Analytics were the next milestones that expanded the space but it was largely out of reach for the mass market

In the 2010's widespread use of smartphones paved the way for rapid IoT expansion, as low-cost sensors and WiFi spread dramatically, home appliances, security systems, and temperature management systems all became connected to the internet and were able to be controlled remotely.

Devices like Fitbit, Nest, and Amazon's Echo integrated Ai into the IoT allowing faster advancements, greater interaction, and better products and services to be created

Cloud Computing was the next big milestone along with expanded Data Analytics, providing a way to collect and analyze vast amounts of data generated by devices connected to the system. The data being constantly fed can be processed, optimized, and used to create new models, a cyclical process causing continuous improvement and leading to the expanding use of Ai assisted IoT in the world

Today

The level of use of IoT is increasing not each year but each day, with new innovative products being released to make life easier through ever-increasing connectivity and integration with Ai services, which have both good and bad sides

The Good

There are widespread benefits to utilizing these devices and systems, they include:

• Increased Efficiency and Productivity

• Enhanced Convenience and Personalization

• Improved Safety and Security

• Better Health Outcomes

• Reduce environmental impact

The Bad

There are dangers with using these devices that can greatly affect users, such as:

• Privacy and Security

• Data Overload and Complexity

• Dependence on Technology

• Cost and Maintenance

• Compatibility and Interactivity

These benefits and dangers, especially with regard to Security, show the balancing act that needs to be considered when utilizing this technology and the safeguards we all need to be aware of when using them

Innovative Products Today

Understanding both sides of using the products and systems it is also important to understand what we can do with it today in our own day-to-day lives:

• Automation Systems for the Home - Amazon Alexa, Google Nest, and Apple Home

• Voice Assistants - Google / Apple Home and Amazon Echo

• Smart Security - Nest, Ring, Arlo, and SimpliSafe

• Fitness Devices - Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin Watches, and the Oura Ring

• Domestic Appliances - iRobot, LG Washer/Dryer, Smart TV, and Smart Refrigerators

Many things are already available today to connect each persons day to day life to IoT through Ai and this list is growing daily as more niche products begin incorporating this technology, I myself have worked on this through Travel Goods, along with Relaxation, Meditation, and Beauty Devices and it is clear almost instantly when testing such Devices that it really does enhance and can help elevate the entire experience

The Future

The genie is out of the bottle now and IoT with Ai's ability will only increase as we look to the future, expect that in;

5 years - life will be similar to now but more and more devices and systems in daily life will incorporate the technology, there will be less privacy, but more personalization, and more automation across all sectors with the most obvious example being within the home where all new devices will require a Wi-Fi connection. All of which will result in some societal disruption and change as work and daily life is effected by these new abilities

10 years - the workplace, transport, and healthcare are expected to be greatly impacted by this time with offices becoming totally interactive and linked between both home and work with work patterns affected greatly, self-driving vehicles will have a huge impact on transportation and urban planning, while health monitoring and early intervention should have massive impacts on peoples health, both physical and mental with greatly increased outcomes and early intervention preventing many of the issues of today

Smart Clothing is expected to become widespread, allowing health monitoring but also huge degrees of personalization and expression along with the integration of multiple different devices and uses into clothing

20 years - by this point IoT and Ai will be part of life to such a degree that it will be almost impossible not to engage with them in virtually any part of the world, expect all products to have some level of IoT within them

Through AR (augmented reality) a totally interactive virtual assistant will be a constant companion for every person, to help run your entire life, while life is optimized for efficiency and sustainability to eliminate waste and create truly clean living through autonomous cities

My thoughts:

I genuinely believe we are entering an amazing period of life where the biggest problem in life will be to figure out how to spend your time given how much free time you will have, IoT and Ai working together will solve most problems before you can even think of them, anticipating your needs to the point that it makes life quite boring

The opportunities for product design and development over these next 20 years will be the most fast-paced, engaging, and fascinating in history, and probably won't be repeated to such a degree of engagement in the future as our interaction becomes less and life becomes more iterative improvement than innovative solutions

I do worry about how society can survive this coming change, how professions will be impacted, and how our capitalist system can work given the level of advancement that is possible

Good or bad, we are in, right now, a fascinating, exciting, and revolutionary time in human history. For design and development this is a new renaissance, embrace it and use your imagination...