The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing the way we live every day. It changes how we interact with ordinary physical objects that enrich our lives. Everything from refrigerators to storage to parking, IoT connects everything into a seamless whole. Here, in this blog, we will discuss top IoT development trends 2020 that you can expect in this year and talk about how they will transform lives. High performance and easy to use mobile applications built using IoT help to engage more users. You can also hire an Android developer to create such interactive and well-tailored mobile applications to meet your business requirements.

What is IoT, and how does it work?

IoT is an amalgamation of devices that form an independent network. A digital ecosystem if you will. These devices can be computing, mechanical or digital machines that interact with objects, animals or people without the need for external human-computer or human-human instructions. Each device and the object, animal or person it communicates with receive a Unique Identifier (UID) which helps the system keep track of what to do and how to behave.

Top IoT trends to expect in 2020

A rise in popularity for smart home devices

The initial reaction to smart home devices was that they are unrealistic toys meant for lazy youngsters to get out of doing more and more work. However, the adoption speed of IoT is proving this theory otherwise. For example, washing machines that warn the user when lint levels build up in the filter, or air conditioners that automatically adjust performance according to changing weather conditions are the kind of smart home functionality people want and will continue to see in 2020.

As these devices become more and more intuitive and innovative, their presence is likely to grow far beyond home comforts, saving energy and security and help manage our daily lives as well.

A shift from cloud to edge computing

If nothing else, this shift in IoT development trends 2020 is an effort to become more secure and reduce the load on the network your devices link-up through. Almost all IoT devices use the cloud for both data storage and handling. The trend now seems to be shifting to a hybrid system in 2020. Essentially, this shift means that devices can store and processes data on-site or at the ‘edge’ of the network rather than uploading everything to the cloud. This local storage device reduces traffic on the net by sorting, filtering and calculating data before sending all or a part of it to the cloud. In this way, “edge computing” helps manage large volumes of data and reduces dependency on the cloud, thereby assisting applications to perform faster and reduce latency.

Increased adoption of IoT in healthcare

Healthcare is one of the more critical applications of IoT systems. IoT development trends 2020 will likely include the more widespread adoption of IoT devices such as connected sensors, monitoring equipment and drug administration devices. Moreover, mobile apps for health and virtual assistants are quickly becoming a trend for 2020. Intelligent wearables and implants all link up to handheld devices that help you keep track of you and your family in terms of healthy vitals and emergencies.

Increased use of AI and IoT to generate Big Data

Billions of people use IoT devices every day around the world, creating vast volumes of data. All of it comes together to what is known as Big Data. All of this data will require an equally robust system for analysis. Therefore, IoT development trends 2020 will reveal the inclusion of data analytics both in terms of software and hardware. This convergence of IoT, AI and Big Data will lead to a fresh wave of new generation apps and devices.

Smart cities will become a standard

Smart cities are not a futuristic concept out of a ‘Back to the Future’ movie. Another top IoT development trend 2020 relates to how city management all over the world now try to incorporate IoT in planning and development. As can already be seen around the world, cities with a vision of the future invest in pioneering forms of data exchange that enable the amalgamation of data between public and private bodies while allowing access to the general public. In 2020, we will have the opportunity to see traffic lights, road signs, street lights and even pedestrian walkways respond to human interaction and adapt.

IoT powered predictive maintenance innovations

Similar to how smart cities are supposed to behave, this new IoT development trend 2020 sees improvements in how we deal with maintenance. Just as smart homes inform homeowners about leaks, device failures and other issues, manufacturing and assembly businesses can use IoT powered predictive maintenance techniques to fix a problem before it becomes one. Sensors in machinery, airplanes and automobiles can automatically detect minor defects and damage that is known to cause significant accidents if left unchecked. And all of this from the relative comfort of a mobile phone or any other handheld device.

Similarly, third party contractors that specialise in repair and maintenance or security can respond faster to emergencies since IoT devices respond faster to a sudden situation than humans might. These operational enhancements can help organizations streamline processes and become efficient.

Shift towards Software-As-A-Service (SAAS)

In the beginning, companies focused on how IoT can improve operations in-house and thereby create an operational advantage through all the connected technology. That is why most stories you read are about how a manufacturer used sensor data to repair machinery before a catastrophic breakdown. In some cases warehouses are employing fleets of autonomous robots, all communicating with each other to move goods around the facility. Utility companies are installing smart meters to manage energy flow into buildings more effectively.

However, the real power of IoT lies in its ability to transform any company into a SaaS company. Companies can collect a wide range of data from customers’ connected devices and then offer additional subscription services such as predictive maintenance, track-trace and performance management. As more companies understand the extent to which IoT can add to their bottom line, that number will increase dramatically.

Integration based on a cohesive framework

A valuable addition to the top IoT development trends 2020 is the push for a unified IoT framework. As it stands now, consumers have to assess what devices are compatible with each other carefully. A shared, cohesive platform can either act as an intermediary between the various devices or become the base on which IT companies develop their products.

Blockchain can help in this regard as well. It can help in the development of such a platform and accelerate the adoption process as well. In the next decade, we are likely to see significant advancements in this concept if companies can come together and work towards a genuinely modular design to IoT.

Resource allocation and control with IoT

One of the most common types of resources used today is energy. Therefore, energy management has received significant attention in terms of IoT application. Primarily since understanding consumption patterns depends entirely on the quality and volume of data gathered. IoT devices within circuit boards, for example, can alert the homeowner to areas of the house consuming the most electricity. Furthermore, these devices can send automatic notifications to utility companies in case the user exceeds the acceptable power threshold.

Customizing the retail experience

Another more exciting addition to IoT development trends 2020 is the customization of the retail experience. Using IoT to improve supply chain management of the retail sector enhances efficiency. With the help of smart beacon technologies, the shopping experience has become intuitive as well as interactive. Consumers feel engaged and appreciated when they enter a store equipped with IoT devices. For example, you might get a detailed map of the inside of your favorite store on your phone showing you exactly where to find the product you need. In short, this latest technological trend of IoT will ensure better integration of a personalized retail experience.

More focus on improving IoT security especially Blockchain

As the adoption of IoT devices and systems increases, protecting the integrity of data in storage and transit becomes equally critical, if not more so. A more significant boost to IoT security should accompany the increased use of IoT. Therefore, IoT development trends 2020 will see the inclusion of more advanced security systems and the use of biometric identifiers to control access. Furthermore, authentication will overlap from machine-to-machine coupled with artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data techniques.

On another note, blockchain is an encrypted, distributed computer filing system designed to allow the creation of tamper-proof, real-time records. At the moment, any weaknesses within an IoT ecosystem exposes every node to foreign threat. That is why hackers so far have been able to interfere with cardiac implants, completely cripple vehicles and shutdown smart homes remotely. The problem usually occurs in the authentication, connection, and transaction process. However, by using blockchain to manage data access and protect data in IoT devices, hackers have to bypass an additional layer of security for every node in the ecosystem. In other words, every IoT powered machine becomes a distinct fort that relies on some fo the most advanced encryption standards available. Besides, because there’s no centralised authority, single-point failure concerns become a distant memory, no matter how populated a particular network is.

Conclusion

Listed above, in no specific order, are some of the top IoT development trends 2020. These tendencies in the IoT sector will most likely dominate the IoT app development ecosystem in 2020. Both industrial and domestic IoT devices will see significant advancements and technology which previously seemed impossible, are soon to become a reality.

However, even though these new emerging technologies will make IoT more intuitive and easier to use, manufacturers will have to work twice as hard to protect their devices since the risk to data exponentially increases as the number of devices increases. Amid all these trends and predictions, the future is promising and certainly worth the wait.

Future IoT development trends to expect in 2020 FAQs

Why is it called IoT?

Kevin Ashton was the first person to use the phrase Internet of Things (IoT) way back in 1999. The terms originally stemmed from his experience working with RFID technology and the concept of tagging every object in a person’s life with machine-readable codes. These codes would then allow computers to identify, manage and inventory all of these things quickly and efficiently. In 2020, however, the term has a much broader connotation than in 1999. IoT now refers to digital ecosystems, inter-connectivity of standalone devices, Big Data, machine learning and everything in between.

What companies are using IoT?

Here is a shortlist of some of the companies that offer IoT services and can help manage the connectivity of your home or business:

• Litmus Automation, a cloud platform for enterprise apps;
• Gemalto, hardware and software for IoT;
• Folio3, an IoT development and deployment partner
• Pegasystems, cloud software provider;
• Microduino, systems for students, teachers and inventors;
• KaaIoT, an open-source IoT platform;
• ForgeRock, digital security systems;

What is an IoT company?

An IoT company enables its clients to scale and connect its devices effectively and subsequently deliver innovative IoT powered solutions. Some companies, such as Folio3 have a diverse team of experts in-house that with experience working on a wide range of end-to-end IoT solutions along with other services such as consultation, development and integration of IoT services.

What are examples of IoT devices?

Most IoT devices fall under one of three categories, i.e. consumer, enterprise and industrial.

Consumer devices include smart TVs, smart speakers, toys, wearables and smart appliances. Enterprise IoT devices can consist of things like smart meters, commercial security systems and smart city technologies. Similarly, robotic error prevention devices are an example of industrial IoT — are examples of industrial and enterprise IoT devices. Other technologies, including smart air conditioning, smart thermostats, smart lighting and smart security, span home, enterprise and industrial uses.