IoT trends: what we can expect in 2022
The Internet of Things has long ceased to be hot-off-the-press news. Ericsson predicts there will be 29 billion IoT devices worldwide in 2022. We have summarized the most important drivers.
IoT healthcare trends in 2022
The coronavirus pandemic has brought our physical and digital worlds even closer together, accelerating the advancement of the Internet of Things in all areas of life. This is particularly evident in healthcare. Several IoT trends are emerging for 2022 and beyond:
LPWAN sensors for monitoring air quality
LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) sensors can monitor the air quality in enclosed spaces by taking repeated CO2 measurements and sending a notification when specific limits are exceeded. LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) technology, for example, can be used in shops or restaurants in the form of an infrared light barrier that acts as a person counter and can determine the utilization of the available space without capturing personal data.
IoT facilitates patient care
IoT devices enable doctors and health professionals to gather data about a patient’s condition using a contactless process. The possible applications are manifold and range from surveillance cameras and fitness bracelets to telemedicine and remote medical assistance. The latter has proven its worth especially in remote regions with poor access to doctors and hospitals.
In hospitals, too, beds and wheelchairs are equipped with sensors that provide a direct overview of current capacity levels at any time.
IoT environmental protection trends in 2022
Sensor-based IoT technology is also being used increasingly often in the field of environmental protection – in disaster protection, for instance. Taking regular temperature and soil humidity measurements in a forest provides data that can help prevent potential forest fires. Water level sensors are being utilized more and more in connection with flood warning systems. IoT solutions are not just used as preventive measures, however. Projects like the “Carbdown” initiative already use sensor-based LoRaWAN IoT technology to measure how much CO2 is absorbed and, on the basis of the results, actively contribute to reducing global CO2 emissions.
Internet security: IoT will become even more secure in 2022
The number and scope of cyberattacks are increasing every year, and IoT devices continue to be targets for cyber criminals because they offer a point of access to our personal data. More and more manufacturers are relying on multi-layered security procedures, which are gradually replacing standard passwords.
In parallel to this, data collection means connected devices that are part of the Internet of Things also fuel algorithms that can be used in the future not just to predict hacker attacks, but even to prevent them.
Industry: IoT brings efficiency and resilience
Robotics and IoT infrastructure have changed our approach to production, service, and customer support in many ways in recent years. Many factories and logistics facilities have increasingly automated their processes and greater availability of this technology has even made it accessible to smaller businesses. Even more companies are set to establish data-driven procedures and processes in 2022 and benefit from increased efficiency. In the future, these IoT trends will lead to companies and industry becoming more resilient.
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