The Internet of Things and Social Media

Chances are if you have used a wearable device or sat in traffic and had to use Waze on your smartphone, you have already been apart of The Internet of Things.

Wikipedia defines The internet of things (IoT) as the network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other items—embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data.

So when we talk about the future of social media, the internet of things must also be included in the conversation. IoT has the potential to change what it means to be social. We can see this first hand in the mobile traffic app, Waze. By linking internet connected smartphones to traffic signals, cameras, people, data and other systems, the network helps drivers optimize their journeys in real time.

The Internet of Things and Healthcare

The Internet of Things is rapidly taking shape. Billions of smart devices, from cars and trucks to containers and hospital beds, are creating and sharing data. There are so many possibilities we could discuss but let’s focus on the medical and healthcare applications.

At the very least patients will be able to connect easily and conveniently to the best doctors and healthcare professionals using social media tools. Healthcare professionals will also be well informed of our physical state by accessing our health data that we share with them and be able to provide expert health advice quickly and reliably.

Another great use of healthcare IoT are mobile medical apps or wearable devices that allow patients to capture their health data. As explained above, this allows doctors quicker access to help provide expert health advice. Hospitals also use IoT to keep tabs on the location of medical devices, personnel and patients. This use can also be extended to monitoring hand hygiene compliance at local hospitals to reduce transmission of Hospital Acquired Infections to patients.

The ability to not only connect with the best healthcare professionals from across the world but securely capture and share our health data will enable us to live healthier and happier lives.

Lessons for Others

Healthcare is just one of many possibilities for the Internet of Things. Organizations have also been applying it to the automotive industry, asset management, tracking and just in time delivery of products.

“With a trillion sensors embedded in the environment—all connected by computing systems, software and services—it will be possible to hear the heartbeat of the Earth, impacting human interaction with the globe as profoundly as the Internet has revolutionized communications,” says Peter Hartwell, senior researcher at HP Labs…”

 

If you have concerns as to the accuracy of anything posted on this site, please send your concerns to Peter Carr, Program Director, Social Media for Business Performance.

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