Two technological innovations/revolutions that are changing the World: Internet of Things and Smart City. The Internet of things (IoT) is the interconnection via the Internet of everyday computing devices enabling them to send and receive data while Smart City is an urban development that integrates information and communication technologies to enhance the quality and performance of urban services. Constant power supply is the backbone to the success of these innovations.
Internet of things (IoT) technology is a revolution that is already shaping the world in every sphere of life. It is a secure means of managing a city’s assets. Making our cities ‘smart’ will promote the use of urban informatics and technology to improve the efficiency of services. This could be as basic as sharing power generation and availability information over the grid, so that non-critical loads can be turned off, to make power more available, or delivering bus tickets via SMS linked to RFID tags on commuter phones.
Some people doubt that smart devices are important and could be the next technological revolution. Few also stop to consider that, amid the new conveniences and wonder, IoT also promises to bring new problems and concerns, some technical, and others social or environmental. So far, most of these new problems and concerns are barely acknowledged, although many are already starting to appear. Top of the list of concerns are security and privacy issues.
None of these challenges is necessarily a reason to oppose the Internet of Things. Just as purposes for smart devices will be found that we cannot fully participate in today, so challenges are likely to emerge that we cannot anticipate today.
Just imagine the progress we have made, from registering domain names by filling forms and sending off via email to be manually processed, to the current situation of Registrar servers talking to the Registry servers and the very many automated tasks that keep the Domain Name and hosting ecosystem working. Obviously, we have come a long way!
We must continue to push the envelope and use technologies that will enhance the quality of lives of our people. Access should be universal. We must seek avenues to include everyone and make communications ubiquitous.
We can be better prepared to meet the challenges that we didn’t anticipate, if we work at enhancing those things that will enhance the quality of our lives. We can only accomplish in proportion to what we attempt!
I remain at your service.
Rev’d Sunday Folayan
President, NIRA Executive Board