Smart and connected appliances are generating new value in our lives in ways we could have not imagined five years ago. With higher disposable incomes, rising purchasing power parity, lower cost of production and improved efficiencies in service and technological innovations, markets are opening up to newer landscapes for invention and growth. Thanks to the technological revolution, one can imagine a world where your home can start the air-conditioner, coffee machine, air purifier and lighting because it knows that you are a few minutes away. The ‘Internet of Things’ opens a whole new world of possibilities where everything around you gets ‘smarter’.

The ‘internet of things’ is not just about using your phone to power appliances, or getting status updates. Instead, it is a revolutionary new platform of intelligent systems and services that allow humans and machines to get closer and interact in a ‘human’ way, making lives easier and more convenient.

It starts with building smarter hardware platforms that have the ability to communicate with the internet, and change their behaviour on the go.

Since the low-level control and intelligence is moved to the internet and server, it allows for applications to be written on the server and run on the machines.

These servers then connect with the manufacturer as well as consumers. The manufacturer can identify if a machine has a problem, or needs repairs.

Analytics about the machine’s operation and usage habits can be collected and sent to the manufacturer to improve designs. The customers can use their mobile apps to interface with the machine in a user-friendly way.

Visually rich mobile interfaces are a lot more inviting than cryptic machine controls and remotes.

Convenience: The modern, sophisticated home automation systems let customers easily control the inter-operation of various devices and sub-systems in their homes by enabling one-touch integrated control of various home appliances. Now one can easily control the lighting, adjust the brightness, mood and other aspects, AC, room temperature, home appliances such as microwave ovens, draw or close the curtains at the press of a button!

Security: There are unique product offerings available in the market which take care of home automation needs and also bring convenience and security literally to the home owner’s fingertip. It not only brings a one-touch integrated control over a wide range of home appliances to the users but also enables home-owners to keep an eye on their children and senior citizens even when they are not at home.

In addition to this, there are 4D security solutions which provide comprehensive and intelligent security management systems, and break the myth that one product cannot always provide complete protection from break-ins, as it requires an all-inclusive solution.

The 4D concept allows you to keep an eye on your home, from wherever you are, helping you secure your world with a simplified and convenient solution.

The Internet of Things also has huge benefits for installation, service and after-sales maintenance. The ability of machines to report their performance and functionality to the manufacturer means that a customer never has to complain about a problem again.

It is possible to remotely diagnose and fix problems, upgrade the firmware, and also improve your appliance’s design after installation. It is even possible to use RFID (radio frequency identification) solutions to track spurious goods and fake spares remotely. If a spare part is not authorised, your machine will know.

There is a brand new world on the horizon. A world where machines and humans will understand each other better. A world where things are fixed before you knew they were broken. A world which will be connected. Problems connected with solutions. Expectation connected with instant gratification. A customisable world where everything you desire is served to you, just the way you like it. The ‘Internet of things’ is making technology human.

Shashank Sinha is Senior General Manager (Marketing), Eureka Forbes

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