Do we really need an internet-connected toaster? If you do, you can get one. There are many options for such a monstrosity. 10 years ago, no one expected to need an internet connection for their kitchen appliances. Pretty soon, it will be hard to find a refrigerator that isn’t having conversations with refrigerators in China. The question is no longer, will it blend. The question is, will it text.
Some see this connected future as a dystopian ordeal. There are cameras in the bedrooms and even dressing closets all over the world. Not so long ago, law enforcement had to go to a judge to get half the surveillance equipment into homes that people are voluntarily installing. People have scales with their own Twitter accounts that tweet sensitive, personal data every time someone uses them.
Is there any escape from the madness? No, there isn’t. It is just going to get worse. But there is a silver lining to the connected cloud. not all IoT is the internet of junk. And not all smart things are connected to the internet. Sometimes, they just enhance what was possible in new and surprising ways. Here are a few examples:
Smart Suits
Not all smart things are connected to the internet such as this motorized exoskeleton suit that gives you enhanced strength and capabilities. These suits are best positioned for manufacturing and warehouse settings, augmenting the operator’s strength and stability which can improve productivity and reduce instances of injury. These suits lend themselves to the expression, “work smarter, not harder.” A smart exoskeleton suit can help you do both.
Smart Lights
If we want a brighter future, we have to get smarter about how we light up the present. Smart lamps and smart bulbs are the way to get there. Smart lights can do more than not so smart lights. They can literally turn themselves on and off, change color and color temperature depending on the time of day, and set a scene depending on what is playing on TV.
Beyond all that, smart lights can save you money. They can dim when full brightness is not needed. They also tend to be power-stingy LED bulbs. Besides using significantly less power, they last an exceedingly long time. You don’t have to worry about replacing blown bulbs every other day.
Do your lights really need an internet connection? Maybe. When you are away on vacation, you can randomly turn lights on and off so that it looks like someone is home. Better still, these lights have the smarts to turn themselves on and off. A brighter future begins today.
Smart Locks
One of the smartest smart products ever produced is the smart lock. Some people fear that smart locks will give technically inclined thieves easier entry into their home. They fail to take into account the vastly larger number of people who are able to just kick a door open with no technical expertise.
Besides adding an extra layer of physical security, smart locks can alert you when the door is opened. They can even lock themselves if you forget to do it. You can also improve security by not making and handing out extra keys to your house. With a smart lock, you can grant anyone entrance at any time regardless of where in the world you happen to be. Stop leaving keys in the planter on the porch. That is not fooling anyone.
No, we absolutely don’t need an internet-connected, camera-laden heating blanket. But we can improve our lot by adding a smart exoskeleton at work, smart lights at home, and smart locks everywhere.
Feature photo by John Tekeridis
