The Internet of Things28th Nov 2011

It wasn't that long ago that being connected to the internet meant sitting at a desk with a cable connecting your computer to a phone line. Now when we think about being connected to the internet, we think about not only computers but phones and tablets. So where to next in this ever increasingly wireless world?

The next era is being referred to as The Internet of Things and it's already well underway. In 2008 the number of things connected to the internet exceeded the number of people on the planet. And we're not just talking about computers and mobile devices but things in general, even cows. That's right, cows! Dutch company Sparked has developed a sensor that can be implanted in the ears of cows to measure their vital signs. This information is then transmitted wirelessly to a server where a farmer can use the data to determine the health of individual cows as well as the herd and respond accordingly if they are sick. The cow's eating habits, movements and response to various environmental factors can also be monitored.

This may sound like something out of a science fiction novel but this is where the internet is heading and cyber cows are just the beginning. Imagine a scenario where your train is running 15 minutes late so it sends a signal to your alarm clock which allows you to sleep longer and also signals your kettle to turn on later as well. Imagine being able to turn on your tumble dryer from your car after it sent you a message letting you know that your clothes were still damp. These are just a couple of scenarios that could be made possible by machine to machine communication and the Internet of Things.

It's not only our day-to-day lives that could be improved either. Local governments could use this new technology to improve traffic, energy consumption, water systems and waste management. The possibilities are endless and new ideas are emerging every day. Watch the video below to learn more about this exciting future.

Tags: Internet of Things, technology