The latest in a line of buzzwords is the Internet of Things (IoT).
It refers to the use of sensor technologies embedded in object (similar to
ubiquitous computing) and making objects recognisable. An example of this is QR
codes which are imply representation of URLs and when scanned can direct a
mobile device to a web page. Near Field Codes (NFC) are also becoming popular,
and are entering the shopping arena. You can now pay for things without ever
pressing a butting just by holding your credit card over or close to the NFC
scanner.
The excitement around IoT is not what exists currently but
what the potential for this technology is.
Ubiquitous and ambient technologies have been around for a
while now, but using IoT in conjunction with Ubicomp or Ambient sensors adds a
new dimension. For telecare the
possibilities are interesting. It should
be possible to embed sensors into the fabric of the home to monitor people at
home. Sensors could be embedded in clothing, and provide GPS coordinates to
friends and family when someone can no longer recall the right direction to
travel.
Sensors in clothing could also provide biosensor data on
heart rate, blood pressure, and other critical data which could be fed
wirelessly to a localised hub in the home.
This means the home occupier owns their own data, but the data could be
sent to specific people, such as doctors, in the event of an issue arising.
Sensors that detect when someone falls could be embedded in
clothing and bedding.
Most importantly and most excitingly, these sensors can be
integrated together so the data is amalgamated to provide a clear picture of a
person’s life style and habits. They could provide traceability when accidents
and other things occur.
The advances in sensors mean that sensors can be developed for specific issues such as Parkinson's or Epilepsy. Every condition will require different settings on sensors to measure bespoke things. Most importantly, the necessity for call centres will disappear as the technologies should be able to contact the correct people depending on the event.
IoT has the potential to make sensors and data SMART. The task of the programmer is to work with the
range of data that could be available and build realistic algorithms to harness
the potential of this technology. I
suspect this is where things might have to wait for humans to catch up. But as
with mobile technologies, there is no reason for this technology to be
harnessed for the benefit of everyone.
As we see with the various fitness bracelets that gather
data on exercise, this technology could be employed to work as a support for
everyone. Working away in the
background, forgotten about until it is needed.
What we have to ensure is that we do not build a need which is
unsustainable or itself a problem. So I would recommend liberal use of the off
button when required.
