The State of IOT in 2022

Last Updated: 16 August 2022

Internet of Things or IoT is a popular concept in 2022. It refers to devices consisting of interfacing software and embedded sensors connected to the internet to facilitate communication. With almost all of our household appliances and everyday devices based on IoT–Alexa and Apple Watch, to name a few –understanding where this segment is headed in 2022 becomes crucial.

So, in this post, let’s look at the state of IoT in 2022 and see what trends are prevailing this year!

1. NB-IoT Adoption

Although NB-IoT as a technology has been here for a while, its adoption has been slow. However, in 2022, NB-IoT has seen 61% YOY connections, with people finally realizing the importance of low-cost, low-power devices with enhanced connectivity indoors and in far-flung places.

Most of the problems surrounding this technology, for instance, smaller coverage and billing model, have been resolved. So, more and more people are moving NB-IoT to meter, track, and control devices in remote areas.

2. Increased Interest in Edge Computing

Sending the data to the cloud servers for processing takes one-tenth of a second, which is still too much for applications that require real-time response, such as smart vehicles. In such a case, edge computing resolves the problems by processing and manipulating data closer to the source.

In the fast-paced world of 2022, edge computing is resolving the problem of bandwidth and time by providing on-site or local real-time data processing. Therefore, this year and in the years to come, the world will adopt edge computing to gain low latency rates and local processing for IoT applications.

3. Boost to IoMT

Although Covid-19 boosted the entire IoT industry, one segment –IoMT –benefited the most from this misery.

IoMT or Internet of Medical Things refers to the devices communicating through an internet connection. When doctors could not visit patients, IoMT devices helped in providing remote diagnosis and treatment.

Doctors could monitor, control and prescribe medicine from the safety of their offices to the infected patients through IoMT devices, such as remote hospital bed control and heart rate monitoring.

However, this trend does not seem to be fading away. Now that people know they can practice telemedicine and diagnosis, there’s no stopping it. In fact, 64% of the people in the US reportedly utilize IoMT services, and industries have forecasted it to reach a market value of 200+ billion dollars by 2026!

4. 5G IoT Services

5G cellular services are getting quickly adopted this year. With 5G, the data transfer rate of IoT devices will speed up, and the connection will become relatively more reliable. This technological advancement will help systems that require a continuous internet to communicate critical information, for instance, cameras, health monitoring equipment, and security IoT.

With 5G, countless IoT devices can connect to the internet and perform efficiently, leading to smart cars, high-end phone services, robots, etc.

Countries like Canada, America, Puerto Rico, Brazil, South Korea, and Japan rolled out 5G services well before 2022 and are maturing in this technology.

5. Cyber-Attacks and Security Plans

Internet of Things has brought an uncountable number of devices to connect with one another. And while this is excellent for data sharing and communication, it has also made them vulnerable to cyber-attacks, data theft, and data loss.

In 2022, the expected growth of the IoT industry is 18%, meaning that many more computers, smartphones, and critical devices are open to such attacks.

Overloading computers to make them expose data and hijacking them to attack other systems are common trends in today’s world. Therefore, the IoT industry is continuously working to improve its security and encryption capabilities.

On the one hand, IoT has become a weakness for industries where data secrecy and protection are of utmost importance. On the other hand, professionals are using the same IoT devices to gather suspicious individuals’ data and prevent cyber-attacks.

6. Wearable Technology Industry

2022 has seen drastic growth in the wearable technology industry.

Armbands for games, health bands, smart watches, and AR and VR headsets now come with an internet connection.

With such devices, health specialists can monitor their patients, students can communicate with one another, ordinary man can organize their life, and a gamer can enjoy an immersive experience.

Users are also using wearable IoT technology to track the location of their pets, heart rate, blood sugar level, number of steps taken, and places traveled, etc. And this industry is only expected to grow in the upcoming years. In fact, experts believe that this industry will become a US$ 300 Bn industry by 2028.

7. AI and Machine Learning with IoT

2022 has seen a commercial revolution with Facebook moving towards Metaverse. Similarly, AI and Machine Learning algorithms are taking over almost every industry.

The essential purpose of platforms, like Facebook, Instagram, and Google, is to collect data. This data enables them to target relevant content toward people, making their service grow exponentially. While IoT facilitates this data gathering, AI and ML are needed to make it effective.

By combining AI and the Internet of Things, businesses can intelligently capture their customers and increase their revenues.

Summary

The state of IoT is better than ever in 2022. This industry is revolutionizing many crucial fields this year.

2022 has seen IoT with edge computing to reduce latency, 5G to provide more reliable connections, medicine to reduce the number of visits to doctor’s office, wearable technology to make everyday life convenient, and AI to change the way the commercial sector operates.

Since everything is connected through the internet, cyber-attacks have also increased. At the same time, IoT is being used to prevent such attacks and increase online protection.

Where IoT stands in 2022 is only the beginning –the future advancements will be unlike anything imaginable. Are you ready for it?