"How to profit from the Internet of Things" is a business and finance book that will describe the process of investing in the innovation and technology related to the Internet of Things (IoT), a burgeoning industry where previously ordinary objects like dishwashers, air conditioners, door locks, and smoke detectors are now wirelessly interconnected and controlled using some sort of intelligent device like a smartphone, tablet, or wearable.
Within five years about nine billion devices will be considered part of the IoT, more than the combined total of smartphones, tablets, and PCs expected to be in use at the time.
As more and more devices get connected there will be increased opportunities for businesses and investors to profit from the trend. New companies will continually spring up and shareholders of existing companies will be richly rewarded by making precedent investments.
Some of the potential commercial applications will be in:
1. Advertising (e.g. electronic billboards)
2. Traffic and urban events management
3. Waste management
4. Smart electric grids safe from electronic and physical attacks
5. Smart and safe water systems
6. Industrial automation (including robots)
Large, high tech companies like Apple, Google, and IBM are the forefront of the industry right now. In the future more companies and investors will be able to benefit.
Apple wants to be in the middle and control your IoT experience. The company has filed patents and has created a developers toolkit, HomeKit, that hint at what is to come down the road. The homeowner and businessman might be able to use an Apple device to turn on lights, air conditioners, or appliances automatically as they walk in the door. Apple has already partnered with Kwikset and Kevo to develop an automated deadbolt application.
Google, through its acquisition of Nest, already is involved in the IoT and will likely grow its presence there over the years to come. The driverless car is actually part of the IoT. The system will need smart sensors and controllers, both onboard the vehicle and on the roadway, to provide safe and effective transport from Point A to Point B.
Behind the scenes IBM will be developing Big Data applications that are needed to make the IoT run flawlessly. Big Blue’s broad experience in the enterprise world will be a big advantage as the century-old company continues its transition from commodities-based, it was once the worlds biggest supplier of PCs, to a software and services-based entity.
IBM and Apple recently announced a strategic partnership to compete in the business-to-business market that could have some elements of the IoT as part of it.
With the funds raised, I will research and write a book which will provide readers with an introduction to the innovation and technology and the trends in the industry, the companies involved, and finally a guide on how best to profit from the Internet of Things. I will travel to conferences and interview the important players in the industry. I envision that the book can be a gateway to future work in this area