IoT Trends 2024: What’s the Next Wave of Connected Devices

Are you ready for the next wave of connected devices?

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionised the way we live and interact with technology, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

From smart homes to wearable devices, the possibilities seem endless.

But what can we expect in the near future?

Sit tight because you’re about to discover how connected devices will revolutionise our lives in ways we’re just beginning to understand for the year 2024.

Integration of 5G Networks into IoT Devices

The advent of 5G technology1 promises a significant improvement in speed, latency, and connection density over the current 4G networks.

The 5G network provides superior connectivity to IoT devices compared to 4G in several ways.

Firstly, it offers increased bandwidth for more data transmission, which is particularly beneficial for video data.

Secondly, the 5G network has lower latency, enabling a quicker response to data. This is crucial for applications like autonomous vehicles and drones that rely on real-time data for safe and efficient operations.

The combination of 5G and IoT is expected to unlock new potentials in various sectors, including healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing, among others, which we will explain below.

However, the successful integration of 5G into IoT devices hinges on overcoming several challenges, including developing new hardware that can support the 5G network, ensuring the security of the devices, and establishing the necessary infrastructure.

IoT in the Healthcare Industry

The Internet of Things (IoT) will further revolutionise the healthcare industry by enhancing operational efficiency in patient care and boosting overall patient engagement.

By 2024, the trend towards incorporating IoT in healthcare2 is expected to rise exponentially, as connected devices offer vast opportunities for improving patient health and delivering cost-effective treatments.

The real-time monitoring provided by IoT devices helps track patients’ health, ensures timely treatment, reduces the need for hospital visits, and thus decreases overall healthcare expenditure.

The data collected by these devices is proving to be a gold mine for medical researchers, enabling them to comprehend various diseases better and develop effective cures.

In addition, expect to see advanced wearables and implantable technology that offer continuous, real-time health monitoring, which includes using a 5G network as part of the technology stack, as mentioned earlier.

For example, smart implants3 like pacemakers and insulin pumps will be able to communicate data to medical teams, allowing for remote patient monitoring and immediate response to any changes in the patient’s status.

The Future of Smart Homes

In 2024, you’ll likely see a significant surge in smart home devices4, dramatically transforming how you live and interact with your home.

This growth is driven by the increasing ubiquity of smart devices and advancements in AI technology, cloud computing, and data analysis.

Expect to see advanced energy management systems that learn your habits and adjust your home’s energy use accordingly.

Another anticipated trend is the rise of interoperability among smart devices, leading to the creation of a truly connected home.

As it stands, the smart home ecosystem is somewhat fragmented, with various devices operating independently. However, the future will likely see a more unified smart home environment where devices can seamlessly communicate and coordinate.

For instance, your smart car could communicate with your smart home system, signalling to turn on the lights and adjust the thermostat as you near home.

IoT Impact on Urban Infrastructure

The Internet of Things (IoT) is poised to transform urban infrastructure significantly.

Smart meters and grids enable more efficient energy usage and distribution in utilities. At the same time, IoT devices in public safety, such as surveillance cameras and emergency response systems, can enhance security and emergency response times.

Moreover, the IoT also has the potential to transform environmental monitoring5. Sensors can monitor air and water quality in real-time, providing valuable data to tackle pollution and improve public health.

However, these advances also pose challenges, particularly in terms of data privacy and security, requiring robust solutions to ensure the safe and ethical use of IoT technology.

Autonomous Vehicles Powered by IoT

By integrating IoT technology, autonomous vehicles6 can collect, analyse, and interpret massive amounts of data from their surroundings in real time, enabling them to make quick decisions, predict potential hazards, and navigate complex environments with minimal human intervention.

Moreover, the interconnectivity of IoT devices allows autonomous vehicles to communicate with other connected devices like traffic lights, parking spaces, or other vehicles, hence promoting safer and more efficient road networks.

Currently, from the perspective of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), it appears that there are no specific laws or regulations in Malaysia that directly address automated driving systems. 

However, the lack of specific legislation7 does not mean drivers using automated systems are exempt from existing traffic laws and regulations.

IoT and Metaverse

As we look towards the future of IoT in 2024, the Internet of Things (IoT) will continue to transform our daily lives, creating a seamless integration between the physical world and the digital universe.

The metaverse8, a collective virtual space that includes augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and the internet, would interact with IoT devices to gather data from the real world and replicate it in the virtual world.

This interaction will result in a more immersive and interactive user experience.

For example, smart wearable devices could track a user’s physical activities in the real world and replicate them in the metaverse, allowing the user to interact with virtual objects as if they were real.

Similarly, smart home devices could adjust the virtual environment based on real-world conditions, such as changing the virtual lighting based on the real-world time of day.

Data Privacy and Security Enhancements in IoT

As we move towards 2024, an increased focus on data privacy and security9 enhancements has emerged in response to the growing proliferation of IoT devices and the vast quantities of data they generate, collect, and transmit.

This data’s sheer volume and nature, which often include sensitive personal and business information, make it a prime target for cybercriminals.

Additionally, the interconnected nature of IoT devices means that a security breach in one device can potentially provide access to others, leading to widespread damage.

As we move closer to 2024, we can expect these data privacy and security enhancements to become integral to the design and operation of IoT devices, shaping the next wave of connected devices.

To Sum Up,

As you navigate the future, brace yourself for an IoT explosion in 2024. There will be challenges to overcome in adoption, but the opportunities far outweigh them.

So, stay tech-savvy, keep analysing, and embrace the next wave of connected devices. The future is IoT, and it’s more exciting than ever.

At Grayscale, we are at the forefront of this revolution, helping businesses and individuals navigate the complexities of IoT technology.

We provide the necessary resources, from consulting services to tailored solutions, so that you can take advantage of the numerous benefits of a connected IoT world.

Email us at enquiries@grayscale.my so that we can discuss how to bring your business into the IoT era.

References

1 Vaish, R., & Matthews, S. (2020, September). 5G Will Accelerate a New Wave of IoT Applications. IBM Newsroom. Retrieved December 21, 2023, from https://newsroom.ibm.com/5G-accelerate-IOT 

2 Meola, A. (2023, January 12). IoT in Healthcare 2023: IoT Medical Devices & Companies. Insider Intelligence. Retrieved December 21, 2023, from https://www.insiderintelligence.com/insights/iot-healthcare/ 

3 Gaobotse, G., Mbunge, E., Batani, J., & Muchenwa, B. (2022). Non-invasive smart implants in healthcare: Redefining healthcare services delivery through sensors and emerging digital health technologies. Sensors International, 3. Science Direct. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2022.100156 

4 Yasar, K. (2022, March 31). What is a Smart Home? Everything You Need to Know|Definition from TechTarget. TechTarget. Retrieved December 21, 2023, from https://www.techtarget.com/iotagenda/definition/smart-home-or-building 

5 Mohd Azhari, N. E. (2023, July 25). UPM CREATES IoT MONITORING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY, HELPS PREVENT PEAT FOREST FIRES. Universiti Putra Malaysia. Retrieved December 21, 2023, from https://www.upm.edu.my/news/upm_creates_iot_monitoring_system_technology_helps_prevent_peat_forest_fires-74136

6 X. Krasniqi, & E. Hajrizi. (2016, December 22). Use of IoT Technology to Drive the Automotive Industry from Connected to Full Autonomous Vehicles. IFAC-PapersOnLine, 49(29), 269-274. Science Direct. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2016.11.078

7 Lee, J. (2022, April 6). Police bans hands-free driving in Malaysia after Singaporean drives Tesla Model 3 to Penang on Autopilot – paultan.org. Paul Tan’s Automotive News. Retrieved December 21, 2023, from https://paultan.org/2022/04/06/police-ban-hands-free-driving-singaporean-tesla-model-3-penang-autopilot/

8 Cifu, A. (2022, September 12). How will IoT integrate the real world with the metaverse? Blockchain Council. Retrieved December 21, 2023, from https://www.blockchain-council.org/metaverse/how-will-iot-integrate-the-real-world-with-the-metaverse/ 

9 Tawalbeh, L., Muheidat, F., Tawalbeh, M., & Quwaider, M. (2020, June 15). IoT Privacy and Security: Challenges and Solutions. Applied Sciences, 10(12). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10124102