The Internet of Things is nigh

Posted on 24 Nov 2005 at 13:13

A report issued by the ITU last week claims society is on the verge of a new era, where smart, chip-enabled and networked devices aren't limited to computers, but encompass everyday objects such as toothbrushes and tyres.

The Internet-fridge has long been a possible example of this new age, with its ability to download recipes according to what RFID-tagged food it contains, as well as ordering fresh supplies when items are used up or go off.

But it remains an idea waiting for development, for someone to pick up and run with the technology available.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) now says in its Internet Report 2005: The Internet of Things, that we are about to turn that corner where these ideas are made real.

'We are heading towards what can be termed a "ubiquitous network society", one in which networks and networked devices are omnipresent,' it reads.

It says the ever-advancing computational power available and the move to nanotechnology will enable myriad devices to be network-ready.

This, says the report, can already be seen in the 2bn mobile phones that are now able to access data services across the Internet.

However, such a move presents many challenges. Not least is the relative embryonic state of standardisation in technology. Networked devices that can only talk to discrete and disparate networks will not bring society the benefits of having all things connected using standards-based platforms.

There are ethical issues as well around monitoring the location and state of these 'smart' devices. Not only are there challenges around managing the vast amount of data that this will generate, but also around who will access it, how it will be used and so on. Yet the report predicts that despite these fears, more and more things will become 'smart'.

It has already started with RFID tags being used by manufacturers and retail companies both for security in stores and to monitor stock levels. The report suggests these abilities will expand to equip things with sensors that detect changes in the surrounding environment, and that such enabled devices will mean more than improving our relationship with inanimate objects, it will give these objects awareness of each other, allowing them to interact.

Written by a team of analysts from the Strategy and Policy Unit (SPU) of the ITU, the report is available from the ITU website.

Author: Matt Whipp