5 Limitations of IoT (And why they’re all about to disappear?)

The IoT has become an indispensable way with which we get things done. Thanks to the vast, interconnected web of Internet-enabled sensors, robotics and computers, it is easier than ever to have AI-powered automation, as well as data-driven analytics that allow businesses to better understand and respond to their customers than ever.

And yet there are still ongoing issues with IoT that have yet to be resolved. Addressing these will be the key to IT being able to fully unlock the benefits that the technology has to offer. The good news is that these solutions are already on the way, and over the next few years IoT is going to be unleashed in a way that few could imagine right now.

1. IoT costs need to come down

One of the problems with IoT, currently, is that it is relatively expensive to run. As IoT are technologies and devices operated on the edge, bringing environments onto the network and then ensuring that they’re running smoothly and reliably can be an expensive feat that requires heavy networking investment.

This is going to become much more cost effective, as the costs of hyperscale clouds like AWS and Microsoft Azure start to come down. As prices start to come down, the use of IoT will become broader and more standardised in kind.

2. IoT currently has a latency issue that needs to be resolved

Another consequence of IoT devices sitting on the edge is that they can be disrupted by latency. Whether the devices are connected to the edge nodes and, from there, the network, via WiFi or 4G, in either case they can experience significant latency issues. The latency for WiFi depends on the underlying connection, and while it can be fast (as low as 0-10ms for T1 connections), they can also be quite high (10-70ms for a DSL connection). It is, of course, possibly to upgrade an Internet connection to a much lower latency option as part of an IoT strategy, but with lower latency connections typically costing (much) more, only enterprises can usually afford this approach. Even then, the IoT environment is then limited to the range of the WiFi connection.

4G connections, meanwhile, can be used to power IoT devices that are remote, but typically have a latency of around 50ms. This is fine in a general sense, but any IoT device that needs instant response and precise movements cannot operate effectively on that kind of connection.

5G will be a gamechanger for IoT, because 5G connections have a latency of between 5-20ms, and that will continue to get lower. Theoretically it should eventually be down to 1ms. 5G also allows for the same kind of remote connections as 4G. What this means is that as 5G becomes more entrenched and widespread, innovations such as remote operating robots that require fine levels of precision and responsiveness (thing robotic surgeons), and safe, self-driving cars become more viable. These are powered by IoT and in many ways represent the holy grail for the technology. What was once held back by the latency of the connection will no longer be.

3. The security of IoT needs to be vastly improved

Far too many IoT devices are effectively open doors for people of malicious intent, allowing them to take over everything from alarm systems to the household pet camera and robot vacuum cleaner. In many cases these can only be used for vague annoyances, such as perpetuating DDOS attacks on target third party websites. The victims of such attacks would only experience a slow network.

But what happens if hackers take over self-driving cars or other critical applications? This is something that the IoT industry will need to address, because there are so many mission critical applications that will not be allowed to interact with the IoT until the users can be reasonably sure that they’ll be secure. The industry is responding with the creation of standards and best practices, and so we should see a more secure IoT emerge, and with that, an IoT that plays a more fundamental role in our society.

4. Smart cities have yet to prove themselves

One of the most commonly-floated uses of IoT is in so-called “smart city” development, where IoT sensors are deployed across the city to better manage it and improve citizen’s lives. A common example is the use of sensors in traffic lights to better gauge the flow of traffic, and adjust light frequency to improve travel times, or sensors in the water systems to detect leaks and wastage and thus protect the water supply.

The flip side to this promised convenience is that it requires a lot of the collection of data, and for citizens, a lack of comfort in the government having access to that much data needs to be overcome before smart city projects can be embraced. This will happen as the first wave of smart city concepts come online and demonstrate their value, resulting in an accelerated appetite for more.

5. The consumer has yet to fully embrace IoT in the home

There are IoT devices in the home, with Google, Apple and Amazon all offering consumers a “smart hub” experience, connected to everything from lightbulbs to sound systems. Adoption is piecemeal, however, with people finding these devices to be more of an interesting curiosity than an essential addition to their lifestyles.

As the integration between devices becomes more intuitive and the AI that powers them becomes smarter, IoT will start saving people genuine time and money, and at that point the value of the devices will hit the tipping point that sees them standardised in homes.

In all these examples, we’re not far from IoT delivering on its promise. The technological limitations are being reduced and removed rapidly, but more importantly, designers, developers, and communities are better understanding how to best use these devices to add genuine value to people’s lives. What was once limited, experimental and quirky will soon go mainstream, and as it does, we will see a rapid improvement in people’s lives. IoT was always a technology that needed the infrastructure around it to catch up, and we’re going to see that happen rapidly from here.