Embedded, wearable computing to revolutionize digital technology
By 2025, embedded and wearable computing will revolutionize the digital environment, becoming “like electricity”—less visible but more central in people’s daily lives, according to a report published by the Pew Research Center’s Internet Project in collaboration with Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center.
This report culminated from interviews with 1,867 experts and stakeholders who answered an open-ended question about the future of the internet by 2015.
While the experts agree on the technology changes that lies ahead, they share varying views on the ramifications. Shared views on the characteristics of the new world of 2025 include:
- A global, immersive, invisible, ambient networked computing environment built through the continued proliferation of smart sensors, cameras, software, databases and massive data centers in a world-spanning information fabric known as the Internet of Things.
- “Augmented reality” enhancements to the real-world input that people perceive through the use of portable, wearable and implantable technologies.
- Disruption of business models established in the 20th century most notably impacting finance, entertainment, publishers of all sorts and education.
- Tagging, databasing and intelligent analytical mapping of the physical and social realms.
Survey respondents expect the Internet of Things to be evident in many places, including bodies, homes, communities, goods and services and the environment. With bodies, the experts envision many people wearing devices that let them connect to the internet and offer feedback on their activities, health and fitness. They also will monitor others who are wearing sensors, or moving in and out of places that have sensors, according to the report’s findings.
Access the report here.