From wearable medical trackers to smart cars and homes, machine to machine (M2M) technology – enabling remote communication between machines and other machines and people – is quickly carving out a presence in all areas of our lives.
Gartner predicts the number of internet-connected devices to reach 26 billion by 2020, so there will certainly be plenty of opportunities and mainstream adoption in the years ahead. Several businesses ahead of the innovation curve are already using M2M to better connect with consumers, improve operational efficiency, and generate new revenue streams.
Here’s a look at some interesting use-cases for M2M technology already at work in three major industries:
An M2M device a day keeps the doctor away
Smart, connected devices already improve the quality and quantity of information available to us about our health and well-being. From heart rate and activity trackers to glucose monitors, people can now use M2M technology to stay in the know, manage health issues such as obesity and as a preventative measure to rising health conditions. For example, Swiss smartwatch maker Limmex recently announced plans to rollout connected watches which allow the wearer to trigger an emergency call with the touch of a button. The watch helps those with special needs, the elderly, children, and even VIPs quickly get in touch with family or friends using an automated dialling process, inbuilt microphone and even GPS tracking in the event of an emergency. A new SIM platform specially designed for M2M applications is simplifying the manufacturing process, allowing the watches to reach global markets more quickly and easily.
Medical professionals can also utilise the data from connected devices to improve treatments and lower healthcare costs. M2M-enabled wearables can trigger real-time automated alerts if certain health thresholds are reached, allowing patients to better manage chronic or serious illnesses remotely and reducing the time spent in the hospital.
Smarter helmets mean safer sports
M2M technology is also making sporting fields safer for some of the world’s top athletes. Riddell, the official helmet manufacturer of the National Football League in the US, has developed the Revolution IQ HITS helmet with the aim of better diagnosing head injuries. Sensors inside the helmet monitor and record the location, magnitude, duration and direction of head impacts sustained during games and practices. Another system sends an alert in the event of high-risk impacts, improving the chances of diagnosing concussion. With more than 180 concussion incidences among players in the NRL, AFL and Rugby Union since 2012, including many players with multiple concussions, this technology, if adopted, could have a big impact on Australian sports organisations. Other athletes including cyclists, or high-speed racing drivers could also benefit from the technology.
M2M helping cities go green
Smarter waste bins are helping clean up the streets of major cities around the world in a more-environment-friendly way. For example, the US city of Philadelphia implemented wirelessly-connected waste bins to reduce the amount of resources needed to collect trash. When a bin is full, the system notifies the waste removal teams to pick up the garbage. The smart bins also compact the rubbish, allowing them to store as much as five times the regular capacity. By eliminating the need for constant collections and checks, the city has not only saved millions of dollars, but has been able to leverage its resources to improving its recycling programs.
Seoul, in South Korea is also implementing similar measures, working with Vodafone to set up bins with M2M SIMs. Officials expect the city to see a 20 percent decrease in waste collection workload. The drop in waste removal operations, due to the elimination of trucks, will decrease CO2 levels equivalent to planting 150,000 trees around the city.
These are just a few of the ways in which M2M is already making a difference and we expect to see more fascinating use-cases in the near future. The technology has the potential to improve customer experiences, capture new insights, improve the safety and quality of current systems and even help spark the development of new innovations. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to begin conversations about the possibilities that M2M technology might offer you and your organisation.
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About the Author:
Michael Wallon, VP Sales, M2M, APAC, Gemalto
