Driverless cars, intelligent buildings, sophisticated algorythms with the ability to find bugs (i.e. errors) in video games sending them in a total spin. They are not the wicked Skynet from Terminator 2, nor the terrible Matrix machines, but a a clear picture projected directly into the not so far future, the future marked by a technological revolution inaugurated by the Internet of objects. This is the web extending into the world of objects, in order to provide a digital identity. In a nutshell to make them communicate between themselves, under human control.
According to experts, by 2020 about 50 billion products will be connected to each other and will be able to create data, namely almost ten times the human population. And not only will it concern the informatic relationship between the objects, but also thir relationship with us thus changing our way of life. In order to be able to understand the true scope of this phenomenon, it would be interesting to read the classification as put forward by the Observatory Internet of Things (Iot) of the Politecnico of Milan.
The first theme in the study speaks of Smart Cities, i.e. intelligent cities. Futuristic technologies will make it possible to overcome some obvious shortcomings in the urban environment. From the traffic lights that will handle the traffic according to the volume of the movement, the environmental parametres calculation carried out by rubbish-bins, by filling them with a barrier against degradation generated by rubbish left on the tarmac. There will also be street lamps that provide light, taking into account the state of the natural lighting and security monitoring systems in the city.
A further macro area affected by Iot will be in the construction industry. One day buildings, especially office-buildings, will detect on the basis of the presence of humans, and decide when to turn on the power supply and heating systems, with a saving for the environment and for society on the all. And even households can count on these applications: kitchens that prepare coffee when they wake up, hot water heaters able to understand when we need a shower, automatic doors and so on.
Without forgetting the importance of Smart Grid and Smart Metering aimed at “managing more efficiently and effectively the water mains (e.g. they will be able to locate leaks in the pipes) and gas (introducing a punctual measurement system for remote consumption similar to that of metres)”.
The most significant development will be in healthcare. Starting off with those affected by chronic diseases that require ongoing care, such as diabetics. For the latter, experimenting with particular anatomical systems that measure the glucose level in the blood and provide insulin when necessary, have already taken off, allowing the ill to lead a normal life. And then the facilities for disabled people and eHealth systems, that will be able to monitor patients remotely, including illnesses and then allow them to stay at home with more serenity. Flow science fiction inventions that hide a fundamental truth: that progress, which all too often has been put at the service of violence and oppression, if used in the proper way, proves to have a wonderful potential. And permits one to look into the future with more hope.
Translation provided by Marina Stronati
