Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Smart city and communication network powered by IoT getty When it comes to technology, what seemed to be science fiction several decades ago can now be a mundane thing everyone takes for granted. Could we have imagined in the early 2000s that entire economic sectors would operate in near-autonomous ways under a watchful eye of monitoring sensors, cameras, and a myriad of other connected devices collectively dubbed the Internet of Things (IoT)? Once a prerogative of incorrigible enthusiasts and dreamers, this hi-tech reality is already here. In areas where human input used to be key, the onus has largely shifted towards internet-enabled devices that provide real-time data collection, remote monitoring, and automation.
The number of these objects is predicted to exceed 29 billion by 2030 globally, twice the stats for 2020. Out of all the domains that IoT has revolutionized, critical infrastructure stands apart as a particularly tangible intersection of the digital and physical worlds. Today, it enhances operational efficiency, reduces costs, and steps up service reliability of electrical grids, municipal utilities, transportation systems, manufacturing entities, military facilities, airports, and more.
This technological leap, predictably enough, comes with its challenges. First, deploying seamless IoT networks over long distances can require hefty engineering, construction, and investment to upgrade the existing wiring infra.
