The Internet of Things is not new, but has been gaining more attention and traction lately. The concept of the Internet of Things entails the use of electronic devices that capture or monitor data and are connected to a private or public cloud, enabling them to automatically trigger certain events. One such use case is that of garage-door openers that initiate when the owner’s car is nearby or a when the owner sends a command from a mobile device.
The demand for connected devices spans multiple industries including the energy, automotive and consumer spaces. For each of them, the need for devices that can report or react to certain things provides a new level of convenience, efficiency and automation. Healthcare practitioners are closely watching the development of this trend to see if the Internet of Things will be a part of their future.
Electronic devices have been used to schedule maintenance for cars, or report any trouble areas to a mechanic so they can be addressed. Smart devices can also be used at home, where smart thermostats can collect data about the homeowners’ schedule and temperature preference, and adjust it accordingly.