In 2018 IoT connected the unexpected

According to an article from techradar.com, 2018 was an exciting time in the IoT realm. The Internet of Things connected the unexpected – things like prosthetic limbs and bee hives.

Here’s a look at the list that they collected of unexpected things made better with connection to the internet.

1. Beehives

YHY Group came up with a solution that tracks beehive humidity levels, temperature, and other hive aspects to ensure optimal health of the hive.

Robot Couriers

While still early in overall rollout, the hope for robot couriers is to securely transport goods while allowing employees to focus on long-distance deliveries.

Office Furniture

With interconnected office furniture, your workplace can be tailored precisely to your liking. Not only can your health and posture be improved, but smart furniture can also receive data on how they’re being used and help maximize asset usage.

Porta-Potties

A sensor in the device can detect movement inside the facility. Movement means a clean facility, but a hastily slammed door means it’s likely time for maintenance.

Airport luggage dollies

According to TechRadar, Springshot and AT&T have come up with a solution to keeping ground handers from driving around the tarmac to locate missing luggage dollies. This solution allows airline operators to track utilization and the location of dollies – more importantly – it helps travelers’ luggage get to their destination.

Tectonic Plates

That’s right! Tectonic Plates! But how did they make mountains and islands “smarter?” UNAVCO, a non-profit university-governed consortium, uses sensors placed on geologic plates to detect geologic and seismic activity across North America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Snow removal and mowing robots

Imagine living in a world where you didn’t have to shovel snow or drag out the push mower. For some commercial customers, that world is their reality. Using GPS technology, Left Hand Robotics has created autonomous robots that follow pre-determined paths to mow or remove snow.

Prosthetic Limbs

Many people take for granted the essential mobility we use in our everyday lives. Now imagine losing a limb. Those experiencing limb losses face an unfamiliar journey to restored mobility. Hanger, Inc., and AT&T worked to create a device for prosthetic limbs to improve communications with patients. This device syncs directly to the cloud and receives data on patients’ prosthetic usage beyond the clinical setting.

Clinicians can use this information to address issues impacting prosthesis usage, such as fit and comfort. Ultimately, this will help patients get back to navigating everyday life and doing what they enjoy.

In short, what we’ve learned is that the only real barrier to innovation is our imagination.