Eight Industries that are being transformed by Sigfox
Sigfox aims to connect simple objects with a simple network, spurring an IoT Revolution that will transform every conceivable aspect of our society.
Credit: VT IoT
Published 14/08/18
Sigfox is the largest network for the Internet of Things, connecting the physical world around us with the digital world. When millions of devices are connected to the Internet, we will witness the transformation of our society, a transformation that will revolutionise dozens of industries forever. For this transformation to occur, a solution needs to exist that fulfils the fundamental requirements of the Internet of Things. Sigfox promises to be that very solution, the technology provides the required characteristics for an IoT Revolution.
Sigfox boasts ultra-affordability and low energy consumption, both critical features which will allow millions of devices to connect to the Internet. Furthermore, Sigfox delivers unparalleled coverage, capacity and quality, thanks to its variation from traditional cellular networks. All technologies require some form of versatility, and Sigfox possesses versatility that allows it to expand the number of use cases for the technology, amplifying its ability to affect change in more industries. Finally, as data becomes the new oil, there will be a need for vastly enhanced security. Sigfox uses many techniques to ensure the security of data isn't compromised.
As the prevalence of Sigfox becomes more widespread, more and more industries will be touched by the new possibilities that it provides. Soon, anything that can be connected to the Internet will be connected to the Internet, presenting new opportunities for so many different industries. Below, you will discover eight industries which will be transformed by the presence of Sigfox. In each case, the technology will deliver similar results: improved efficiency, reduced costs, and the power of real-time data to utilise.
Sigfox boasts ultra-affordability and low energy consumption, both critical features which will allow millions of devices to connect to the Internet. Furthermore, Sigfox delivers unparalleled coverage, capacity and quality, thanks to its variation from traditional cellular networks. All technologies require some form of versatility, and Sigfox possesses versatility that allows it to expand the number of use cases for the technology, amplifying its ability to affect change in more industries. Finally, as data becomes the new oil, there will be a need for vastly enhanced security. Sigfox uses many techniques to ensure the security of data isn't compromised.
As the prevalence of Sigfox becomes more widespread, more and more industries will be touched by the new possibilities that it provides. Soon, anything that can be connected to the Internet will be connected to the Internet, presenting new opportunities for so many different industries. Below, you will discover eight industries which will be transformed by the presence of Sigfox. In each case, the technology will deliver similar results: improved efficiency, reduced costs, and the power of real-time data to utilise.
Agriculture undergoes another Revolution
Credit: Sigfox Partner
Sigfox will play a key role in helping our farmers meet the increasing demand for food as the population explosion continues. As well as producing crops, farms will produce data. This data will stem from the presence of millions of sensors across all aspects of farming, from monitoring greenhouse gas emissions to managing livestock. The data will provide farmers with an enhanced insight into the operation of their farm, giving them the opportunity to boost crop yields, ensure the welfare of their livestock and more accurately monitor weather patterns in real time.
Irrigation will become smarter, making use of soil moisture monitoring sensors and weather stations, conserving water for when it is needed most. The spread of disease amongst livestock will become a thing of the past, as sensors can pinpoint where the disease lies an isolate the animal. For farmers with particularly large herds of cattle, real-time location monitoring will save time.
Greenhouses will become significantly more productive, as the introduction of sensors and IoT will monitor and control the climate in response to changes in real-time. The requirements of individual plants will be identified and the environment within the greenhouse will adapt to these parameters. This eradicates the requirement for manual intervention, reducing labour and time.
Sigfox will pave the way for precision farming, that is, methods which make farming more controlled and tailored on a case by case basis. Drones will be used to aid the growth of precision farming, using data from sensors to regulate their activities such as crop spraying and crop health assessment. When Sigfox and the IoT Revolution touch agriculture, the technologies will prompt the beginning of another agricultural revolution.
A good example of one of these sensors is pictured above, a weather station connected to the Sigfox network which measures climatic conditions in accordance with World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) standards.
Irrigation will become smarter, making use of soil moisture monitoring sensors and weather stations, conserving water for when it is needed most. The spread of disease amongst livestock will become a thing of the past, as sensors can pinpoint where the disease lies an isolate the animal. For farmers with particularly large herds of cattle, real-time location monitoring will save time.
Greenhouses will become significantly more productive, as the introduction of sensors and IoT will monitor and control the climate in response to changes in real-time. The requirements of individual plants will be identified and the environment within the greenhouse will adapt to these parameters. This eradicates the requirement for manual intervention, reducing labour and time.
Sigfox will pave the way for precision farming, that is, methods which make farming more controlled and tailored on a case by case basis. Drones will be used to aid the growth of precision farming, using data from sensors to regulate their activities such as crop spraying and crop health assessment. When Sigfox and the IoT Revolution touch agriculture, the technologies will prompt the beginning of another agricultural revolution.
A good example of one of these sensors is pictured above, a weather station connected to the Sigfox network which measures climatic conditions in accordance with World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) standards.
Retail embraces Data
Credit: Sigfox Partner
Retail is on the verge of experiencing a transformation that will benefit both the customer and staff in-stores and online. Customer's satisfaction will be monitored with greater emphasis than ever before. Shown above is an example of a device connected to the Sigfox network which allows retailers to gauge the satisfaction of their customers in a simple and non-obtrusive way. This data can then be utilised to make changes intended to improve the customer's experience in the store.
Amazon has launched its first grocery store, Amazon Go, which provides a glimpse into the future of stores. The store uses the data which Amazon has garnered from the customer's online shopping habits to create a frictionless shopping experience. You can purchase products without the need of using cash or card in-store, just walk in and walk out with your shopping. Amazon uses sensors to detect which items you have taken and the charges are automatically applied to your account. This system maximises the efficiency of the store and minimises the number of staff required.
Something more discrete which retailers are implementing to reduce operational expenditure and maximise the uptime of equipment is the use of sensors to indicate and predict when equipment may fail. In this way, retailers can identify issues with a refrigeration unit and solve them before the machine stops working.
Shelves will become smart thanks to the use of sensors, allowing for more efficient inventory management. The store will learn which items are purchased most, ensuring that there is sufficient stock of the item, and use these patterns to predict future demands for the product. This data can also be utilised for marketing purposes, targeting customers needs with specific ads.
Amazon has launched its first grocery store, Amazon Go, which provides a glimpse into the future of stores. The store uses the data which Amazon has garnered from the customer's online shopping habits to create a frictionless shopping experience. You can purchase products without the need of using cash or card in-store, just walk in and walk out with your shopping. Amazon uses sensors to detect which items you have taken and the charges are automatically applied to your account. This system maximises the efficiency of the store and minimises the number of staff required.
Something more discrete which retailers are implementing to reduce operational expenditure and maximise the uptime of equipment is the use of sensors to indicate and predict when equipment may fail. In this way, retailers can identify issues with a refrigeration unit and solve them before the machine stops working.
Shelves will become smart thanks to the use of sensors, allowing for more efficient inventory management. The store will learn which items are purchased most, ensuring that there is sufficient stock of the item, and use these patterns to predict future demands for the product. This data can also be utilised for marketing purposes, targeting customers needs with specific ads.
Our homes will be Hubs of Intelligence
Credit: AskMen
The homes of tomorrow will be hubs of intelligence. A multitude of sensors will provide data to the homeowner, data with the power to lower the cost of living and maximise the energy efficiency of our homes. We will know when and where a leak is detected, thanks to the use of water leak detection sensors. As well as this, sensors will give us the ability to monitor the air quality throughout our homes, giving us the ability to understand the biggest sources of indoor air pollution.
There are many existing Sigfox devices which serve the purpose of detecting smoke. Unlike traditional smoke detectors, these connected devices can notify the homeowner remotely and indicate the source of the smoke. Security systems will be monitored in real-time, giving the homeowner ultimate control over the security of their home anytime and anywhere. For example, Sigfox's Sens'it IoT device uses magnets to detect when a door is opened and sends a message to the Sigfox cloud when activated.
Our pets will be monitored on a constant basis, using WiFi and GPS for geolocation. We can also take advantage of smart thermostats, devices which will regulate the temperature of our homes in correspondence to the surrounding environment, rather than using fixed settings. This adaptable nature will be key to ensuring sustainable use of our natural resources such as timber, gas and oil.
Our homes will amalgamate all of this data provided by sensors to help reduce our insurance premiums. For example, if we set up a system of smart security cameras, the insurance company will be willing to reduce our premium due to a perceived lower risk. This data extends to use cases outside the home, we can monitor our well's performance, and prepare for droughts by analysing previous patterns of performance during dry spells.
There are many existing Sigfox devices which serve the purpose of detecting smoke. Unlike traditional smoke detectors, these connected devices can notify the homeowner remotely and indicate the source of the smoke. Security systems will be monitored in real-time, giving the homeowner ultimate control over the security of their home anytime and anywhere. For example, Sigfox's Sens'it IoT device uses magnets to detect when a door is opened and sends a message to the Sigfox cloud when activated.
Our pets will be monitored on a constant basis, using WiFi and GPS for geolocation. We can also take advantage of smart thermostats, devices which will regulate the temperature of our homes in correspondence to the surrounding environment, rather than using fixed settings. This adaptable nature will be key to ensuring sustainable use of our natural resources such as timber, gas and oil.
Our homes will amalgamate all of this data provided by sensors to help reduce our insurance premiums. For example, if we set up a system of smart security cameras, the insurance company will be willing to reduce our premium due to a perceived lower risk. This data extends to use cases outside the home, we can monitor our well's performance, and prepare for droughts by analysing previous patterns of performance during dry spells.
Utilities are ripe for a Change
Credit: Sigfox Partner
Sigfox opens up a whole new range of opportunities for utilities to become more efficient and cost-effective. Smart meters will play a major role in all aspects of our utilities, from water and electricity metering to renewable energy production monitoring. The use of smart metres to determine usage will deliver huge cost and time savings for utility companies. Furthermore, these metres will provide utility companies with the ability to identify localised faults such as water leaks and solve the issues quickly.
As mentioned earlier, water wells can be monitored using sensors. This principle also extends to oil wells. Companies operating such wells will have the ability to understand how their wells are performing and employ techniques to boost their performance. Gas pipelines will be monitored in real time, allowing us to locate areas of corrosion and leakage, ensuring the safety of the surrounding environment.
Sensors connected to Sigfox's network will play a fundamental role in ensuring a smooth transition to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. These sensors will provide information relating to weather conditions, vital for the successful generation of solar and wind energy, and inform utility companies of when demand will exceed the supply of these renewable sources. When this occurs, we can utilise traditional fossil fuels to supplement renewable sources to meet the demand.
Utility companies can use the data provided by their sensors to deliver personalised reports to customers. These reports will inform customers of the best methods of reducing their usage, and educate them about how their usage affects their bill. This is an essential step that will make everyone aware of the importance of minimising their use of resources.
As mentioned earlier, water wells can be monitored using sensors. This principle also extends to oil wells. Companies operating such wells will have the ability to understand how their wells are performing and employ techniques to boost their performance. Gas pipelines will be monitored in real time, allowing us to locate areas of corrosion and leakage, ensuring the safety of the surrounding environment.
Sensors connected to Sigfox's network will play a fundamental role in ensuring a smooth transition to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. These sensors will provide information relating to weather conditions, vital for the successful generation of solar and wind energy, and inform utility companies of when demand will exceed the supply of these renewable sources. When this occurs, we can utilise traditional fossil fuels to supplement renewable sources to meet the demand.
Utility companies can use the data provided by their sensors to deliver personalised reports to customers. These reports will inform customers of the best methods of reducing their usage, and educate them about how their usage affects their bill. This is an essential step that will make everyone aware of the importance of minimising their use of resources.
Cities will be Highways of Information
Credit: Sigfox Partner
Our cities will become smart, enabling us to garner data from millions of sensors. Sigfox gives us the ability to monitor our transport systems in ways that save time, costs and energy. We will know exactly when and where a bus, car, truck, etc. is thanks to geolocation data. The city can utilise this data to manage traffic, and detect serious collisions or other road obstructions.
The disposal of our rubbish will see a revolution thanks to IoT. Bins will be collected when sensors detect they are at maximum capacity, instead of being based on a fixed schedule. We will minimise air pollution created by cars by using sensors to indicate which parking spaces are free, abolishing the need to drive around aimlessly looking for a space to park. This same use case also applies to locate our car's when we have finished working or shopping, an app will guide us to the cars precise location.
As global warming increases the frequency of severe weather events, we will require new methods of warning people about dangers such as floods or hurricanes. Water levels in rivers, streams and underground reservoirs will be monitored thoroughly and combined with data from weather stations to predict when a severe weather event is likely to cause disruption. In this way, we can prepare for imminent weather events before they occur, rather than as they occur.
Street lighting is a major source of energy wastage today. However, with Sigfox sensors, this will become a thing of the past. As is the case with bin collection, lights will only activate when required, not on a fixed schedule. Our city councils will be given the ability to control lighting in real time, so lighting can adapt to our changing needs.
Finally, our cities will become safer. There will be dense networks of surveillance cameras, tracking our every move with the aid of technologies such as facial recognition. Sigfox can be utilised to ensure the devices aren't tampered with, providing the relevant authority with a warning when the device detects something abnormal.
The disposal of our rubbish will see a revolution thanks to IoT. Bins will be collected when sensors detect they are at maximum capacity, instead of being based on a fixed schedule. We will minimise air pollution created by cars by using sensors to indicate which parking spaces are free, abolishing the need to drive around aimlessly looking for a space to park. This same use case also applies to locate our car's when we have finished working or shopping, an app will guide us to the cars precise location.
As global warming increases the frequency of severe weather events, we will require new methods of warning people about dangers such as floods or hurricanes. Water levels in rivers, streams and underground reservoirs will be monitored thoroughly and combined with data from weather stations to predict when a severe weather event is likely to cause disruption. In this way, we can prepare for imminent weather events before they occur, rather than as they occur.
Street lighting is a major source of energy wastage today. However, with Sigfox sensors, this will become a thing of the past. As is the case with bin collection, lights will only activate when required, not on a fixed schedule. Our city councils will be given the ability to control lighting in real time, so lighting can adapt to our changing needs.
Finally, our cities will become safer. There will be dense networks of surveillance cameras, tracking our every move with the aid of technologies such as facial recognition. Sigfox can be utilised to ensure the devices aren't tampered with, providing the relevant authority with a warning when the device detects something abnormal.
Fleet Management will become Easier
Credit: Sigfox Partner
Sigfox provides the necessary features for the use of IoT in fleet management. As Sigfox is a global network with a coherent pricing structure across forty-five countries, the technology is ideal for international operations such as logistics. Companies will gain the ability to monitor their fleet of vehicles in real-time, providing data such as fuel level and speed.
More importantly, however, will be the ability to make use of GPS and WiFi with connected sensors to provide geolocation data to the company. As shown above, these geolocation devices are tiny, low cost and boast battery life measured in years. The geolocation data provided by such sensors can be utilised to improve the operational efficiency of these companies. For example, if freight has arrived at a port, the logistics company will be notified immediately, rather than waiting days for a notification, saving time, something which is crucial in such a business.
Sensors within vehicles will provide data about the vehicle's health. This is important to ensure issues are resolved before they reach a critical point.
More importantly, however, will be the ability to make use of GPS and WiFi with connected sensors to provide geolocation data to the company. As shown above, these geolocation devices are tiny, low cost and boast battery life measured in years. The geolocation data provided by such sensors can be utilised to improve the operational efficiency of these companies. For example, if freight has arrived at a port, the logistics company will be notified immediately, rather than waiting days for a notification, saving time, something which is crucial in such a business.
Sensors within vehicles will provide data about the vehicle's health. This is important to ensure issues are resolved before they reach a critical point.
Industry will see New Efficiencies
Credit: Sigfox Partner
As I mentioned in a previous article, the advent of IoT and Sigfox are the primary technologies which will stimulate a fourth industrial revolution, a revolution that will minimise our use of natural resources in the manufacturing process by boosting efficiency.
Sensors in factories will ensure equipment is safe and warn operators when issues arise. This application maximises the uptime of factory equipment, and therefore maintains productivity. Sensors will be used to manage inventory on a macro-level, using geolocation data to locate products at any time.
The safety of workers will be ensured using a number of techniques. Sensors will monitor air quality in the factory, giving factory owners the ability to see which pollutants exist and how to minimise their effects. Furthermore, sensors on machines will record every event that occurs. This will prove invaluable in the event of accidents as we will be able to learn what happened and understand how to prevent the same mistake occurring in the future.
Sensors in factories will ensure equipment is safe and warn operators when issues arise. This application maximises the uptime of factory equipment, and therefore maintains productivity. Sensors will be used to manage inventory on a macro-level, using geolocation data to locate products at any time.
The safety of workers will be ensured using a number of techniques. Sensors will monitor air quality in the factory, giving factory owners the ability to see which pollutants exist and how to minimise their effects. Furthermore, sensors on machines will record every event that occurs. This will prove invaluable in the event of accidents as we will be able to learn what happened and understand how to prevent the same mistake occurring in the future.
Data is the New Medicine in Healthcare
Credit: Sigfox Partner
The use of IoT in healthcare will be transformative for both the patient and the healthcare staff. For people living at home, emergency buttons will be used for instant assistance. Fall detectors can also be utilised, notifying the relevant person when the device's accelerometer and gyroscope detect that the patient has fallen.
Defibrillators are expensive pieces of equipment, but they warrant their price tag because of their ability to save lives. However, as with any device, defibrillators are subject to failure. Sensors within the defibrillator can send data about the device's current state, allowing the owner to solve any issues before they hamper the operation of the device. As shown above, the cabinets in which these defibrillators are located will also connect to the Sigfox network, notifying the owner about the internal temperature and humidity, and when the sensor detects the removal of the device from the cabinet. This will be an important deterrent to theft and vandalism.
Sigfox will provide hospitals with an easy way to track everything in real-time. The use of prescription pills with microscopic sensors, providing information about the patient to doctors, ensures the patient receives the correct dosage and can help doctors to administer future prescriptions.
With so many sources of data about patient's health, we can use Artificial intelligence and Deep Learning to crunch this data and identify patterns of disease. The result will be new methods of treating illnesses, focused on a patient by patient basis. This saves time and money as the patient forgoes the need to visit the hospital, and more importantly, ensures a higher quality of life for patients as they can stay in their home and continue their life without the interruption of hospital visits, especially important to patients who have issues with mobility.
Defibrillators are expensive pieces of equipment, but they warrant their price tag because of their ability to save lives. However, as with any device, defibrillators are subject to failure. Sensors within the defibrillator can send data about the device's current state, allowing the owner to solve any issues before they hamper the operation of the device. As shown above, the cabinets in which these defibrillators are located will also connect to the Sigfox network, notifying the owner about the internal temperature and humidity, and when the sensor detects the removal of the device from the cabinet. This will be an important deterrent to theft and vandalism.
Sigfox will provide hospitals with an easy way to track everything in real-time. The use of prescription pills with microscopic sensors, providing information about the patient to doctors, ensures the patient receives the correct dosage and can help doctors to administer future prescriptions.
With so many sources of data about patient's health, we can use Artificial intelligence and Deep Learning to crunch this data and identify patterns of disease. The result will be new methods of treating illnesses, focused on a patient by patient basis. This saves time and money as the patient forgoes the need to visit the hospital, and more importantly, ensures a higher quality of life for patients as they can stay in their home and continue their life without the interruption of hospital visits, especially important to patients who have issues with mobility.
Conclusion: This is just the Beginning
Credit: Medium
Sigfox is the key that will unlock an endless chest filled with new possibilities for every part of our society. The Internet of Things will transform eight industries as discussed in this article, but this is just the beginning. Every industry will be touched by IoT in one way or another, in each case, breaking down the barriers that exist today and paving the way for a brighter future.
As I've explained before, look what happened when we connected the smartphone to the Internet. Now, imagine what will happen when we connect everything else to the Internet also. Whatever the result, it will cause a paradigm shift in our society, prompting the fourth industrial revolution, creating new opportunities to cure and care for the sick and give us more control and understanding than ever about our crops and natural resources.
As I've explained before, look what happened when we connected the smartphone to the Internet. Now, imagine what will happen when we connect everything else to the Internet also. Whatever the result, it will cause a paradigm shift in our society, prompting the fourth industrial revolution, creating new opportunities to cure and care for the sick and give us more control and understanding than ever about our crops and natural resources.
NB-IoT Explained: The Technology that Vodafone hopes will connect everythingAs the Internet of Things continues to grow at a phenomenal pace, Vodafone wants a piece of the pie, prompting the launch of NB-IoT across Europe.
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