The Internet's Next Big Thing

So what is The Internet of Things (IoT)? “IoT is built around machine-to-machine communication,” says Hossein. Photo / Supplied

With Information Technology as the most rapidly changing and growing sector in the world, it’s often difficult to pinpoint what the “next big thing” is going to be within the industry. But Unitec’s Head of Computing, Professor Hossein Sarrafzadeh, says there is a huge opportunity for New Zealand with The Internet of Things. But we need to act fast.

So what is The Internet of Things (IoT)? "IoT is built around machine-to-machine communication," says Hossein. "It's a network of physical objects which have the ability to collect data and then exchange it with each other."

"IoT basically makes your machines smarter by connecting them to the internet in a smart way. It takes a conventional device, like a washing machine, and adds a layer of computing and connectivity that ultimately means a transformed experience for you - the user."

"For example, when you decide to turn your washing machine on, it enables the machine to warn you that it might not be the best time to use it, due to higher electricity charges at that time of day."

"Or it allows your fridge to send you a message telling you that your milk has now expired; or your car to inform you that your brakes may be in need of a replacement."

Hossein says the possibilities you can imagine for IoT are limitless and application areas are vast including smart cities, city planning, farming and agriculture, driverless cars, smart roads, environment - air and water quality, education and health.

"Smart Agriculture is an exciting one for New Zealand. Imagine a farm that can be run entirely from a smartphone? There is already one example of a smart farm in Tokanui, Waikato. The farm has specialist hardware devices which feed through information and allows access to current farm data from a distance."

Cisco IBSG predict there will be 50 billion devices connected to the internet by 2020 and that IoT 'Value at Stake' will be $14.4 trillion for companies and industries worldwide in the next decade.

"This means that companies and countries that move quickly and tap into the opportunities presented by IoT can reap huge financial rewards," says Hossein. "New Zealand is not fully in the game yet and we need to be. However government has already taken steps and brilliant companies like B2 Technologies and Gallagher in Hamilton have already made inroads."

Unitec offer IoT undergraduate and postgraduate courses and also have a new research centre for environmental engineering which has a focus on the opportunities presented by IoT.

"The Centre of Computational Intelligence for Environmental Engineering (CIEE) is a joint venture between Unitec and NIWA in New Zealand and China's Wuhan University and technology company LJDY," says Hossein.

"The centre combines computational intelligence, remote sensing and The Internet of Things capability with environmental engineering to develop tools and technology that will be used to address problems such as air and water quality in New Zealand and China."

"Through the 'Prime Minister's Scholarships for Asia' we have also been sending students from our Computing department to Wuhan, China, to visit companies and universities that are active in IoT."

But Hossein says that on a wider scale, New Zealand needs to dramatically increase its focus on IoT.

"It's a proven fact that the growth of cities and countries has been relevant to their focus on advanced technologies. This is no different for New Zealand. We need to empower our companies to win a fair share of the opportunities in advanced technologies. IoT specifically is an area that presents huge potential due to its rapid growth and it needs to become a focus for our country."

"We're developing connections with businesses and organisations active or interested in IoT, as well as with students and other researchers. If you would like to learn more about working with us, or about the courses we offer, you can phone Clare Kitching, Cybersecurity Client Consultant on 021 0204 9935 or email cybersecurity@unitec.ac.nz."