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TREND REPORT IIW
‘THE INTERNET OF THINGS’
Carmen Gruson Avans University of Applied Sciences ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Internet of Things ....................................................................................... 2
Examples of the Internet of Things ........................................................................................ 3
Toon smart thermostat ....................................................................................................... 3
Philips Hue lightning system .............................................................................................. 4
KPN LoRa .......................................................................................................................... 4
TomTom ............................................................................................................................ 4
BitLock ............................................................................................................................... 5
Business working with the Internet of Things ......................................................................... 6
Philips ................................................................................................................................ 6
Eneco ................................................................................................................................ 7
Future of the Internet of Things ............................................................................................. 8
What are the further possibilities from the view of the companies? .................................... 8
What is my vision for the future of the Internet of Things in the Netherlands? .................... 8
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 9
Bibliography .........................................................................................................................10
Introduction: The Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical objects or ‘things’ embedded with
electronics, software, sensors and connectivity to enable it to achieve greater value and
service by exchanging data with the manufacturer, operator and/or other connected devices.
Each thing is uniquely identifiable through its embedded computing system but is able to
interoperate within the existing internet infrastructure (Internet of Things, 2015).
In 2008-2009, the Internet of Things was ‘born’. According to Cisco Internet Business
Solutions Group (IBSG), the Internet of Things was born in between 2008 and 2009 at simply
the point in time when more ‘things or objects’ were connected to the internet than people
(Internet of Things history, sd).
According to an estimate by Gartner (a technology research and advisory corporation), in
2020 there will 26 billion devices be connected to the Internet of Things. According to Green
Peak’s CEO, Cees Links, this estimate could even well be on the low side. He predicts that
each house gets at least 100 sensors that collect all information about what we do, what we
do not do and how we live. Scary or can you not wait?
100 sensors. At first glance it looks scary. It looks like spionage, 100 sensors in a house. As
if someone, from a government or a company, wants to keep an eye on you. Nevertheless, it
considers Cees Links, there is no question of spionage, but a clever system that supports us
and helps us.
Both the Dutch smart thermostat ‘Toon’ from Eneco, as the personal navigation devices from
‘TomTom’ are examples of the Internet of Things in which there is much intelligence in the
(expensive) device and there is enough energy available to communicate, for example via
Wi-Fi or cellular network (Blaauboer, Wonen tussen 100 sensoren het internet of things start
bij jou thuis, 2014).
I think that the Internet of Things is important in a lot of counties around the world. But in the
Netherlands, we are far ahead with the Internet of Things compared to other countries
around the world. We are influencers, trendsetters and early adopters. Internet of Things is
very important in the Netherlands, because we want to be early with new technical inventions
and we want to be involved in the process of a new technical invention.
Examples of the Internet of Things
Toon smart thermostat As I have said in the previous paragraph, the Internet of Things is very important in the
Netherlands. We are influencers, trendsetters and early adopters. We want to be involved in
the process of a new technical invention. There are a lot of companies in the Netherlands
that focuses on ‘Internet of Things’ or ‘Internet der dingen’ as it is called in Dutch. Below, I
am going to explain some Dutch examples of the Internet of Things.
Energy is important in every country, also in the Netherlands. There are around 30 energy
companies in the Netherlands (Energieleveranciers, sd). Eneco is one of them. Eneco is the
first and only Dutch energy company that has a smart thermostat for consumers. This smart
thermostat is called ‘Toon’.
‘Toon’ looks like a tablet and is placed on the wall in (for instance) a living room. ‘Toon’ lets
you see what your consumed energy is in your house, always and everywhere. You can also
compare to previous periods or compare with other households or friends. You consume
more than estimated? Then you will get a notification. Thus, the annual bill is never a
surprise. With the smart thermostat functions, your heating is controlled more efficiently.
Additionally, ‘Toon’ is self-learning and takes into account the weather. This allows the
consumer to automatically consume less energy.
With the smart thermostat ‘Toon’, you unplug the future into your home. You already can
operate Philips Hue lamps via the ‘Toon-application’. The same applies to ‘Toon smart
plugs’. These plugs give you insight in the consumption and cost per device or group devices
via the ‘Toon-tablet’. (Toon thermostaat, sd)
This trend is interesting and applicable for the Internet of Things because it connects
technology with humans. This smart thermostat is self-learning, it connects you iPad (or
other tablet) and smartphone with the rest of the house. You can operate the Hue lightning
system from Philips with the same app. This is just the beginning, ‘Toon’ will connect more
devices in the future. Maybe you sound system or TV?.
Philips Hue lightning system As I have mentioned earlier, ‘Toon’ already connects with the Hue lightning system from
Philips. Therefore, the Hue lighting system is the second example of the Internet of Things in
the Netherlands.
Hue is invented by Philips in the Netherlands. It is the first lightning system in the
Netherlands which you can operate with your tablet or smartphone. You want to
concentrate? Click on ‘concentrate’ and the light will change immediately. You want a touch
of romance to your house? Or want to use Hue as your alarm clock? Everything is possible.
With one touch on the app, you have the access to various white-toned colours and a color
pallet with all the other colors. You even can change the lightning in your house from the
other side of the world. So, if you are on vacation, you can still turn on the lights at night to
prevent criminals from breaking into your house.
To get a better image about the Hue lightning system, watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=81&v=68t2I3XB11A
I think this trend is interesting and applicable for the Internet of Things because you can
change your lighting with your smartphone. It is very simple and it connects technology with
humans.
KPN LoRa KPN will roll-out a new mobile M2M network in 2015 called LoRa. This type of network will have a significant impact to (inter)nationally speed up the developments of Internet of Things. KPN made use of the LoRa protocol (LoRaWAN), which is the protocol for mobile networks that has been specially developed to be able to meet the high demands of Internet of Things. The LoRa network is a new type of mobile M2M network which aims to connect millions of low-data devices to the internet. For example with this network sensors are able to send easy their data on a long distance to the internet or devices can receive assignments from the internet (on/off, open/closed/etc). A LoRa network makes it possible in the future to connect, cost efficient, millions of devices that use very little power and data to the internet. Organizations can improve their service and possible business processes, reduce cost or even develop new business models (Internet of everything LoRa, sd). LoRa is a trend that is interesting and applicable because this is just the simple Internet of
Things. It connects different devices using a new mobile M2M network.
TomTom TomTom is a Dutch company that provides navigation systems- and software. The
navigation systems have special versions for cars, trucks, motorcycle, campers and
caravans. What you might not realize is that all these navigation systems are the basis of a
different kind of service from TomTom: selling information about the traffic. All modern
TomTom navigation systems are sending information about their location, speed etc. to
TomTom, if you have given permission for this course. This information will be anonymized
and gives a good image of the traffic.
TomTom has (thanks to the millions of navigation systems they have sold) so much
information about the traffic in the Netherlands that they have information about the traffic on
99% of the Dutch roads. This information is worth money, and TomTom sells the information,
just like Google and Facebook. This information is used for the consumers itself off course,
by TomTom Traffic. This is a live map about the traffic on the roads in the Netherlands
(Blaauboer, TomTom, het Nederlandse navigatiebedrijf dat internet of things goed snapt,
2014).
This trend is interesting because this company uses existing information to help their
customers and companies. They connect different devices (from the navigation systems to
smartphones and their website) and are trying to help consumers to get to their destination
as soon as possible.
BitLock BitLock is a company that has invented a bikelock, but without keys. I have found the
following description about BitLock on their website:
“Lock and unlock your bike seamlessly without even having to reach your pocket! Simply
walk up to your bike and press the button on BitLock to lock/unlock. Bitlock senses your
proximity and identifies you as you come within 3 feet of your bike (as long as BitLock
application is running in the background on your phone). No more lost keys or endless
searches to find them. it is over.” (Bitlock, sd)
So, BitLock uses Bluetooth on your smartphone to identify you. It unlocks your bike and you
are good to go! As simple as it is.
To get a better impression about BitLock, watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=107&v=KoF6yXsBlYc
I think that this trend is interesting and applicable because it replaces keys to something
digital. It gives you access to your belongings by your smartphone. It connects everyday
supplies, who never had anything in common; your bike and your smartphone.
Business working with the Internet of Things
Philips Royal Philips is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s
lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and
Lighting. Headquartered in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, Philips posted 2013 sales of €23.3
billion and employs approximately 115.000 employees with sales and services in more than
100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare,
energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting
applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and
oral healthcare.
Philips Lighting is a global market leader with recognized
expertise in the development, manufacturing and
application of innovative lighting solutions. Philips has
pioneered many of the key breakthroughs in lighting over
the past 123 years, laying the basis for their current
strength and ensuring they are well-placed to be a leader
in the digital transformation. Philips aims to further strengthen their position in the digital
market through added investment in LED leadership while at the same time capitalizing on
our broad portfolio, distribution and brand in conventional lighting.
Equally, today’s digital parents want technology to serve their families’ ever-changing needs.
So the Philips innovators are developing the Philips AVENT Smart Baby Monitor which
connects to and is operated by a smartphone, ensuring parents are never disconnected from
their baby. It is also linked to Philips’ revolutionary lighting system, Philips Hue, to create an
immersive experience for the baby, with lighting ‘recipes’ that create the right ambiance to
help at bedtime, waking-up and feeding.
The ‘Internet of Things’ puts the consumer in the driving seat and allows Philips to ensure
their products are more personal, relevant and impactful than ever before. The consumer has
always been at the heart of what they do. This interconnected world presents new ways for
Philips to work with consumers to help them to be healthier, live well and enjoy their life
(Nota, 2014).
“The ‘Internet of Things’ has become central to how we innovate at Philips – and how we listen to, engage with and take inspiration from our consumers”.
Eneco Eneco’s more than two million customers are provided with consistent, secure energy
supplies. For this reason, Eneco ensures that they can contribute value throughout the entire
chain. Eneco is an integrated energy group with more than 7000 employees, offering
comprehensive solutions for, and together with, our customers and partners. Eneco invests
in well-maintained networks, onshore and offshore wind farms, solar energy projects and
biomass plants. And they are doing this from bases in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK,
France and Germany. (About us, sd)
(About us - Our Mission, sd)
The vision of Eneco about the future is connected to the ‘Internet of Things’. ‘Everyone
having a energy generator at home. Solar panels on the roofs of all businesses. Wind
turbines, bio-energy or heat pipelines for industry. Everyone is an energy producer and
shares energy with their neighbours, businesses or with the whole neighbourhood.’ This is
the Internet of Things, this is the future. Eneco is market leader with this sustainable way of
producing energy.
“Imagine if everyone had sustainable energy at their disposal. Generated at home, by you, together with the rest of the street or neighbourhood. Solar panels on the roofs of all businesses. Wind turbines, bio-energy or heat pipelines for industry. Everyone is an energy producer and shares energy with their neighbours, businesses or with the whole neighbourhood. We no longer see ourselves as a traditional energy supplier, but as a partner who, together with you, makes it possible to save, use, exchange or sell energy. And this isn’t an unrealistic vision. We know it is possible, and we are working every day on projects that are making our ambitions and those of our customers into a reality.” – Jeroen de Haas, CEO Eneco.
Future of the Internet of Things
What are the further possibilities from the view of the companies? “In the near future the Internet and wireless technologies will connect different sources of
information such as sensors, mobile phones and cars in an ever tighter manner. The number
of devices which connect to the Internet is – seemingly exponentially – increasing. These
billions of components produce consume and process information in different environments
such as logistic applications, factories and airports as well as in the work and everyday lives
of people. The society need new, scalable, compatible and secure solutions for both the
management of the ever more broad, complexly-networked Internet of Things, and also for
the support of various business models.” – www.internetofthings.fi (InternetofThings, sd)
"One of the things I see when people are talking about Internet of Things in general, is this
feeling like, 'This is just what it's going to be. That's the beginning and end of the market,'" he
says. "But I think that's how the Internet felt in 1992, and we're in that beginning part, and it's
really hard to figure out exactly how it's going to play forward." – Jared Newman (The future
of the internet of things is like the internet of the 1990s, 2015)
The vision about the future of the Internet of Things from the view of the energy companies,
you can watch this video from Eneco. In which they explain what their point of view is about
the future of the Internet of Things in the energy compartment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=212&v=MVDKl5TreXA
What is my vision for the future of the Internet of Things in the Netherlands? I think that the Internet of Things is going to have a big influence in our daily lives. I think that
in 2025 everything in our daily lives is connected with the Internet of Things. I also think that
it is going so far that there are becoming complete ‘Smart houses’, all devices and furniture
in these houses are connected to each other.
Innovation is always and everywhere. There was innovation in 1800 and there will be
innovation in 2080. I personally think that the Internet of Things is something from 2015, but I
do not think that the Internet of Things will last until 2080. By that time there will be
something new, something futuristic and exciting. There is a possibility that the Internet of
Things will be a beginning of this new invention.
Conclusion There are many different companies working with the Internet of Things. Philips, Eneco and
TomTom are some examples of companies who are developing very fast in the Internet of
Things in the Netherlands. These products are making our daily lives easier and more
efficient.
In general, the Internet of Things is something new. You can call it a trend, a hype, or the
lifestyle of the future. It is starting now, and developing very fast. Companies are bringing
new products to the market, trying to anticipate on this new invention. Is it worth it to invest in
the Internet of Things? The opinions on this are very different. Some say it is the lifestyle of
2025. Others say that it seems too good to be true. Some people are not ready, or are not
waiting for this kind of change. Some people do not want the ‘digital world’ to know
everything about them, something even more than they know about themselves. I
understand that completely, I am scared too, but I think that the Internet of Things is at the
start of its success. We have to accept that the Internet of Things is coming, and is going to
take over our lives. Whether we want it or not.
Bibliography (n.d.). Retrieved from InternetofThings: http://www.internetofthings.fi/
About us. (n.d.). Retrieved from Eneco: http://www.eneco.com/about-us/eneco-group/
About us - Our Mission. (n.d.). Retrieved from Eneco: http://www.eneco.com/about-us/our-
mission/
Bitlock. (n.d.). Retrieved from Bitlock: http://www.bitlock.co/
Blaauboer, R. (2014, December 8). TomTom, het Nederlandse navigatiebedrijf dat internet of
things goed snapt. Retrieved from Frankwatching:
http://www.frankwatching.com/archive/2014/12/08/tomtom-het-nederlandse-
navigatiebedrijf-dat-internet-of-things-goed-snapt/
Blaauboer, R. (2014, October 7). Wonen tussen 100 sensoren het internet of things start bij
jou thuis. Retrieved from Frankwatching:
http://www.frankwatching.com/archive/2014/10/07/wonen-tussen-100-sensoren-het-
internet-of-things-start-bij-jou-thuis/
Energieleveranciers. (n.d.). Retrieved from Energieleveranciers:
https://www.energieleveranciers.nl/energieleveranciers
Internet of everything LoRa. (n.d.). Retrieved from KPN:
http://www.kpn.com/zakelijk/grootzakelijk/internet-of-everything-en/lora.htm
Internet of Things. (2015, May 6). Retrieved from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_Things
Internet of Things history. (n.d.). Retrieved from Postscapes.com:
http://postscapes.com/internet-of-things-history
Nota, P. (2014, August). De impact van internet of things op ons allemaal. Retrieved from
Philips: http://www.philips.nl/e/nederland-blog/blog/de-impact-van--internet-of-things--
op-ons-allemaal-.html
The future of the internet of things is like the internet of the 1990s. (2015, March 27).
Retrieved from Fastcompany: http://www.fastcompany.com/3044375/sector-
forecasting/the-future-of-the-internet-of-things-is-like-the-internet-of-the-1990s
Toon thermostaat. (n.d.). Retrieved from Eneco: https://www.eneco.nl/toon-thermostaat/
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