The main technological evolutions of 2017

In the world of technology, every year is important, because the evolution in this sector is a constant and what today is a novelty, tomorrow may already be outdated. The end of the year is always a time of balance and it is time to analyze the main technological developments of 2017 and the impact they had in the business world!

Artificial intelligence

Who doesn’t know robot Sophia? This humanoid was developed by the company Hanson Robotics, of Hong Kong, and is able to reproduce 62 facial expressions. It was created to be able to learn, work and adapt to human behavior. The fact that this robot has received the citizenship of a country this year is a very important step for the world of artificial intelligence. The great goal of this new form of intelligence is to make the life of corporate employees easier by performing repetitive and more bureaucratic functions. 2017 was a very important year for this area and it is expected that in 2018 the trend will evolve further.

Cloud storage and software

It is no longer new that the use of Cloud has been growing in recent years. The increased security of information and the ability to access data from any device and anywhere in the world are factors that have led companies in 2017 to opt for these solutions. This was the year in which Cloud’s position was strong in the business world, and today there is no longer any mistrust of cloud solutions, but rather a growing need and demand.

Bots

The bots are systems that can simulate human actions, played the role of virtual assistants. The main purpose of using this technology is to make the user experience more interesting. The bots are programmed to give information about products and services without having to do research (good examples of this are Ikea’s Anna’s assistant and Apple’s Siri). In 2017, bots have become better at interpreting human language, and more and more companies choose to use these small robots, especially in the after-sales service areas.

Mobility

The present is mobile and there is no doubt about it. In 2017 it has been proved that mobility has to be part of companies’ lives. A recent IBM study reveals that we spend 90% of our time next to our mobile phone. Over the course of this year, technology companies have become aware that if they are to win in today’s competitive world, they must adapt to mobile devices. Having a mobile-friendly website and software that works on mobile phones and tablets is a must to stay one step ahead of the competition.

Internet of Things

This year, the number of devices sending information has grown dramatically. It is estimated that by 2020 there are between 20 and 30 billion connected devices. The great goal of the Internet of Things (IoT) is to make objects more efficient. For example, in a production line, through this system, it is possible to detect possible problems in machines before causing damage to the whole production.

5 Internet of Things Applications Across Industries

Top Internet Applications of Things in the Industry

Internet of Things describes a scenario in which various objects used in everyday life are connected to the Internet. Today, more and more objects are connected to the Internet. At the beginning of this digital age, it was only possible to connect smartphones and tablets. However, in recent years there was a revolution in this area and now it’s possible to connect gaming consoles, televisions and surveillance cameras to the network. The Internet of Things has a vision that goes even further beyond this.

This new concept proposes that people will be able to connect several objects to the network, not with the intention of creating a new way of consulting information on the Internet, but with the purpose of making the objects more efficient. Consider the example of a refrigerator. With the definition of the Internet of Things, the object would have the ability to inform us when the shelf life of a food is nearing its end. In the case of a thermostat, this object would be able to search the climatic conditions of the geographic are where it is to define the ideal conditions for the air conditioning.

According to Gartner, in 2020 there will be 20.8 million interconnected devices, without counting computers and mobile devices. It’s estimated that in 2020 there will be 7.3 million people on the planet, which means that on average every inhabitant of the Earth will have about three objects connected to the network. At industry level, there are many applications of the Internet of Things, we highlight the most important.

Production

With the application of the Internet of Things in the production phase it’s possible to identify problems that may have an impact on the final result and compromise its quality. In addition, it’s possible to implement corrective actions and to increase the efficiency and productivity of machines.

Maintenance services

Having detailed and up-to-date product information is important to reduce maintenance costs. This feature allows you to identify defects or failures, avoiding product breakdowns and associated costs. The sensors are able to detect vibrations or unusual temperatures and recommend preventive maintenance.

Engineering

The monitoring of the operation of the machines and their configuration helps to define adjustments in the production process, including at the level of the raw materials.

Logistics

Connected sensors contribute to greater agility throughout the entire distribution chain. The real-time information allows you to know where a particular batch is located and informs if there was any anomaly during the transport process. The sensors also contribute to implement improvements in future processes, contributing to cost reduction and to increase efficiency.

Fleet management

The Internet of Things allows you to monitor fleets and optimize speeds, fuel consumption, vehicle status, among other indicators.

Internet of Things can be applied virtually to everything and it’s put by Gartner in the mix of five digital technologies that companies will have included in their platforms in the coming years. This is another concept that shows the importance of having information in real time. People need to be constantly updated and this contributes to improvements in the industrial processes.