The future is NOW

Surely when you hear "Internet of things", an episode of involuntary comedy quickly comes to your memory during the last debate between the candidates for Head of Government of Mexico City in 2018; however, it is a more complex issue. The idea of ​​smart devices and connected cities seemed distant in the 90s.  

However, at the end of that decade, people began to talk about the Internet of Things (IoT).  It is known as IoT to the process that connects everyday physical elements to the Internet, devices and home assistants such as Google Home and Amazon Echo are a look to an increasingly near future. Starting in 2010, every April 9 is International IoT Day, and each year we experience a more accelerated digital transformation.  Companies are adapting to take advantage of technologies that only belonged to science fiction 20 years ago. The IoT has brought multiple benefits to an increasingly connected world. In the business environment it reduces operating and energy costs. It is also used to monitor equipment, reduce downtime, and maximize productivity.  

In the 80s The Amazing Car introduced us to a smart car interacting with David Hasselhoff, now Apple is working on its first autonomous vehicle and other technology companies like Xiaomi are about to enter that race. Today we have a wide range of smart home products such as speakers, clocks, televisions and light bulbs; and even some cities in the United States, England and the Netherlands already have smart traffic lights.  

Various specialists estimate that in the next five years the IoT will generate millionaire profits. The American telecommunications company CISCO Systems estimates that in our country the IoT will produce profits of up to 1.6 trillion dollars by 2025; and that by 2023 there will be about 184.4 million connected devices in Mexico.

However, other indicators show a less optimistic outlook. According to consulting services firm Deloitte, Mexico experiences a lag when it comes to the Internet of Things. Although it recognizes that the telecommunications networks in our country are in a process of transformation, it still places it far from the world forefront. According to data from the firm, currently in Mexico there are just over 8 million connected objects, which is equivalent to 6.3% of the population. This places our country in 18th place out of 24 countries in which the same sample was applied.  

Globally, the IoT has enormous potential in the immediate future. However, the great challenge is to reduce the technological gaps between countries. The IoT proposes solutions to climate change and for agriculture such as the rational use of water. We are used to saying things like “Alexa, play this playlist”, now imagine asking her to water the plants, pick up the children from school, or read an article from Maxim to you. Get used to the idea, because it is closer than you imagine.