A noteworthy technology trend is IIoT, or the Industrial Internet of Things. Many devices are now made with WiFi, connecting them to the Internet and to each other. This connectivity allows devices like home appliances and cars to exchange data over the Internet, making IIoT the future of technology.
As consumers, we already use and gain benefits from IIoT. For instance, we can lock our doors remotely if we forget to before leaving for work, preheat our ovens on the way home, and track our fitness using devices like Fitbits.
Businesses also stand to gain significantly now and in the future with IIoT. It enhances safety, efficiency, and decision-making by collecting and analyzing data. IIoT enables predictive maintenance, accelerates medical care, improves customer service, and brings about benefits we may not have even imagined yet.
This technology trend is just starting. Predictions indicate that by 2030, approximately 50 billion IIoT devices will be in use globally, forming a vast network connecting everything from smartphones to kitchen appliances. To dive into this trending technology, you need to learn about information security, AI and machine learning basics, networking, hardware interfacing, data analytics, automation, understand embedded systems, and possess device and design knowledge.
Areas of developments in 2024 may include:
- Increased Integration with AI and Machine Learning: The integration of IIoT with AI and ML technologies are likely to enhance the ability to analyze large volumes of data generated by industrial devices, leading to better insights and predictive maintenance,
- Advancements in Edge Computing: Edge computing is expected to be pushed further allowing for real-time analytics and faster decision-making,
- 5G Adoption for Low Latency: 5G networks can provide low-latency and high-bandwidth connectivity, enabling more reliable and efficient communication between IIoT devices,
- Enhanced Security Measures: IIoT systems are expected to be equipped with robust security protocols to protect against potential threats and vulnerabilities,
- Standardization Efforts: Industry-wide efforts to establish standards for IIoT devices and communication protocols, to be deployed,
- Digital Twins and Simulation: The use of digital twins — a digital representation of a physical asset or system — is expected to experience a big push in 2024,
- Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: IIoT applications to increasingly focus on sustainability and energy efficiency in industrial processes,
- Remote Monitoring and Maintenance: The deployment of advanced remote diagnostics and control will accelerate in 2024,
- Blockchain for Supply Chain and Transactions: The use of blockchain technology in IIoT applications is expected to grow, particularly in supply chain management and secure transactions,
- Human-Machine Collaboration: Improved human-machine collaboration through the use of A interfaces and advanced visualization tools will improve UX and the decision-making process.