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How IoT is changing life as we know it
How IoT is changing life as we know it Joseph Hong
The Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly becoming the next big thing in the platform of innovation. A wide range of electronics, digital projects and business models are now becoming reliant on the IoT platform where sensors and devices are connected via the internet, enabling our lives to become more productive, efficient and comfortable. To exemplify this, take Bosch’s automated valet parking – drivers do not have to worry about wasting their time finding a parking spot, as they can simply use the Bosch application on their smartphones and have their car parked autonomously. 1
A global prediction suggests that there will be 1 million IoT devices installed hourly by 2021. 2 For that, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensors are integral to the functionality of IoT devices; at Bosch, 4.5 million MEMS sensors are produced daily. Sensors are the vital parts that help smart electronic devices to sense and adapt to the surrounding environment. For example, the light monitoring and control system at our Bosch Singapore campus uses sensors
together with our software application to automatically adjust the ceiling lights to the required brightness regardless of the time of day. 3
In 2019, Thailand ranked 70 out of 100 in a study of the most digitally competitive countries. 4 This implies great potential for development and business opportunities to increase competitiveness in this area. Last year alone, Thailand registered 126 million mobile phone subscribers. 5 A study forecast that internet penetration in Thailand would reach 63.1 per cent three years from now. 6
Moreover, the emergence of 5G is expanding the scope of the IoT market with newer applications such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and fully autonomous vehicles involving both business and customer segments.
IoT for the home users
With IoT’s increasing popularity, the smart home market has also been gaining the spotlight with a current market value of about US$ 161 million in Thailand. A big chunk of that revenue comes from smart appliances. Thai consumers have been able to reap great benefits from these appliances, which include devices such as refrigerators, washing machines, coffee machines, vacuum and mowing robots. 7
Appliances connected to the internet assist home users in carrying out their daily tasks by working in the background and reducing the effort by the home users themselves. With these smart appliances doing the chores “smartly”, home users can allocate their time to carrying out other endeavors.
This can be demonstrated by Bosch’s robotic lawnmowers, which have autonomous functions and can be controlled easily from a Bosch app in the user’s smartphone. 8 In this way, home users do not have to mow their lawns manually since these smart appliances have them covered.
1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IRA6FPoaJU. 2 https://www.depa.or.th/storage/app/media/file/Second%20Deliverable%20RevVer%20EN%20V12%20140819%20FIN.pdf. 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5aTeQkBBew&t=70s. 4 https://www.statista.com/statistics/1042743/worldwide-digital-competitiveness-rankings-by-country/. 5 https://www.statista.com/statistics/995467/thailand-number-mobile-subscribers/. 6 https://www.statista.com/outlook/994/126/digital-economy/thailand. 7 https://www.statista.com/outlook/283/126/smart-home/thailand. 8 https://www.bosch-garden.com/int/indego.html.
IoT in the workplace
Current trends indicate that industry is one of the sectors to be most affected by the emergence of 5G. Moreover, in the ASEAN region, IoT adaptation is mainly required in sectors such as government and public services, industries and agriculture. 9
Early adopters of smart manufacturing systems have seen increased production efficiency, fewer product defects and higher customer satisfaction. With increased data transparency, thanks to IoT, manufacturers are able to manage their operations better and thus reduce inventory costs, manufacturing disruption and the overall amount of capital expenditure to operate their business. 10
This can be exemplified in Bosch’s own smart factory in Thailand, which utilizes connected solutions and data analytics to improve the overall performance of the manufacturing process.
The way forward in IoT
With the influx of IoT, however, comes growing concerns with regard to security and privacy. Block-chain based solutions, enhanced cybersecurity measures and proper policy frameworks will play a major role in addressing this aspect. 11
In the coming decade, 5G services will give rise to a range of innovative use cases such as enabling fully autonomous robots and immersive remote operations. A study has shown that 5G connections will be widespread, with about 1.3 billion connections globally by 2025. For Thailand, this will create better business opportunities, especially in the telecom industries and IoT service providers as they provide IoT solutions, both for the consumer and the business segments. 12 Contact details: Joseph Hong Managing Director Bosch Thailand Tel: +662 012 8888 info.help@th.bosch.com www.bosch.co.th
