5 Invisible IoT Applications
The Internet of Things is already having a real-world impact, as these five real-world examples attest.
July 20, 2016
![Technology is at its best when it becomes "invisible." Technology is at its best when it becomes "invisible."](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt31d6b0704ba96e9d/blt6e36011dc23101c5/63abea1ac1c9b64b9b5a322e/invisible-4.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
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Remember when people would rig up light-timers before they went on a trip—to maintain the illusion that house was occupied at night? Now, thanks to the IoT, you can keep an eye on your home remotely while controlling your thermostat, lights, and appliances.
In the past three years, the U.S. airline industry has had big gains in the percentage of flights that are on time, which increased from 75% in 2014 to 83% so far this year. The number of flights also has decreased from 3.33% in 2014 to 1.30% thus far in 2016. Part of the gains are a direct result of IoT technology, which is used in everything from wireless sensors for remote diagnostics to self-monitoring jet engines.
There are now more connected cars than there are cell phones, according to Chetan Sharma Consulting. IoT connectivity is being used for a plethora of applications in cars, ranging from connected sensors designed to improve vehicle performance while preventing crashes. The IoT also can monitor driving habits.
Beverage companies are relying on the internet-connected technology to keep tabs on inventory, the temperature of their goods, and machine performance. Today, it is even possible to monitor how much beer is in a keg, while keeping an eye on its freshness and location.
Who needs cash anymore? It has never been easier to pay for goods using wireless payment systems. Some retailers are beginning to use IoT technology to optimize their floor layouts.
Who needs cash anymore? It has never been easier to pay for goods using wireless payment systems. Some retailers are beginning to use IoT technology to optimize their floor layouts.
Cool new technologies seems to fade into the background as they gain adoption. Roughly a century ago, electricity began to gain widespread acceptance in the United States. Now, it is nearly everywhere, yet we take it for granted—just as we do computing, wireless technology, GPS, and the cloud. The Internet of Things is undergoing the same transition—fading into the background as it becomes indispensable.
The more unobtrusive the IoT is for consumers, the more successful it will become, says Robb Henshaw, Head of Global Communications, IoT Cloud at Cisco Jasper, which has just published a blog post and infographic on the subject. “Businesses across industries have already harnessed the power of IoT to create value-added services that enhance our lives in ways that aren’t totally obvious to the average consumer,” he says.
Indeed, IoT technology shouldn’t constantly remind us that it is there. “The more we can benefit from enhanced experiences and new services enabled by IoT without having to consciously think about how those services are delivered, that is what will lead to IoT’s ultimate success,” Henshaw explains.
Click on to see five examples of IoT connectivity selected by Cisco Jasper that are becoming invisible:
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