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The Internet of Things (IoT) is nothing new—and in fact, we utilize this technology more and more daily without even realizing it. From our smart TVs and vehicles to a surprising number of household appliances, more and more of our devices transmit and receive data via the Internet. And it’s only expanding. Some reports predict the market share of IoT will more than double in 2021. But where is IoT technology going, exactly? What trends should we be aware of in the years ahead, and how can they make our lives better?

INCREASED FOCUS ON USEFULNESS, NOT NOVELTY

Experts believe that we won’t see as much of a proliferation of new IoT devices in the months and years to come as we will see the technology fine-tuned to become more valuable to us. For example, a smart refrigerator that gives you the weather forecast and automatically orders replacement filters might be nice to have, but it’s not something you couldn’t do without. A refrigerator that self-diagnoses and contacts tech support for predictive maintenance in the background, so you never know it was malfunctioning—that could be a real headache-saver.

INCREASED HEALTHCARE APPLICATIONS

With the increased dependence on telemedicine, wearable medical devices that transmit patient data will become more prolific to make patient care more efficient and streamlined. We can also expect to see more gathering of patient health stats through mobile apps for smartphones and smartwatches. This sector of the market is expected to grow by as much as 26 percent.

MORE RELIANCE ON LOCATION SERVICES

Marketing agencies representing brands already use location-based services to send marketing messages to people in their local area based on their mobile devices’ data. We can expect to see this technology also used to improve customer experiences in the days ahead by using location services to connect customers with employees. From shorter service windows to allowing customers to track deliveries in real-time, to activating curbside pickup as the customer approaches the store—watch for IoT location data to streamline the interactions between businesses and their customers.

If you haven’t used location-based advertising, it’s time to see how effective this type of targeted marketing can be in growing your business. Contact Los Angeles-based marketing and advertising agency Wicked Bionic here.

SMART CITIES

We already see a proliferation of “smart buildings” that use IoT to automate security, energy consumption, etc. A growing number of “smart cities” are now integrating IoT tech into their infrastructure. Cashless toll booths, real-time energy redistribution, “smart trash cans” that signal when they are full, connected traffic signals regulating traffic flow in real-time are all examples of ways cities are making life more convenient for their citizens in the background.

Of course, IoT doesn’t just serve the purpose of making life easier or better; it can also help your bottom line as a brand when you know how to leverage it. Contact Wicked Bionic to discuss options for how you might use IoT technology more to your marketing advantage.