It’s predicted that by 2020, there will be more than 20 billion connected things sending data all over the world. Everyday objects, from running shoes to fridges, from fish tanks to vending machines, have the potential to send and receive data from the likes of networks, infrastructure and our mobile phones.
The possibilities for what can be achieved are endless but for fleet or field service managers, the smart city is one exciting area where this is really starting to take shape.
How do smart cities work?
Smart cities use Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors to gather and analyse information across infrastructure. This helps city authorities to intelligently manage their assets, increase efficiencies, revolutionise transport, reduce costs, and in theory, enhance overall quality of life for residents.
For fleets, there is a huge potential upside. With connected infrastructure, drivers will be able to receive and send an unprecedented amount of data to make their job easier and be more efficient.
There are two key technologies that are powering smarter cities. First is the promise of the next generation of data transfer speeds. This will deliver dramatically quicker data movement from one point to another, which means data can be collected, processed and analysed faster than ever before. Sensors are the second piece to the puzzle. Smart cities are powered by an intelligent network of sensors that collect and transmit data that is used to gather insights and information.