The integration of Digital twins and Metaverse, and the Rise of Healthcare Networks

4 major trends in the field of Internet of Things in 2023

The Internet of Things is an important part of the new generation of information technology. Unlike the Internet, the main application objects of Internet of Things are some physical devices, such as vehicles, home appliances, and buildings. Embedding electronic software, sensors and some network connection devices in these physical devices can realize data exchange between devices, thus establishing an interconnected network.

In 2023, it is estimated that more than 43 billion devices will be connected to Internet of Things worldwide. They will generate, share, collect and help people use data in various ways. In a recent report, Forbes Biweekly website listed 4 major trends in the field of Internet of Things in 2023.

Digital Twins and Metaverse Fusion

In 2023, digital twins and metaverse will be integrated to better promote the development of the industry.

For commercial enterprises, one of the most valuable applications of the metaverse is to bridge the gap between the real world and the virtual world. By using the data provided by the Internet of Things sensors, it is possible to build more and more realistic digital twins for many different systems, ranging from manufacturing facilities to shopping centers. Later, commercial users can enter these digital twins through experiential metaverse technology (such as virtual reality headphones) to better understand their working methods.

This technology integration has been applied to the retail industry. Store planners can monitor the flow of people in real time, and adjust the display and promotion form of goods to monitor the impact of these measures on customer behavior and store revenue. In the industrial environment, the integration of these two technologies enables factory designers to test different mechanical configurations, find potential safety problems and predict where failures may occur.

Network security attracts more attention

The Internet of Things may also make people more vulnerable to various forms of network attacks. Because the more devices connected in the environment, the more accesses open to attackers. The number of Internet of Things devices will increase explosively after the year of 2023. Enterprises, device manufacturers and security experts should strengthen their efforts to deal with malicious attackers and minimize their chances of stealing valuable data.

The National Security Committee of the White House of the United States said that it would launch the network security label plan for consumer-level Internet of Things devices in 2023 to help buyers of Internet of Things devices understand the risks they may bring when introducing specific devices into their homes. At that time, consumers can scan the code of smart phones to learn more, including software update strategies, data encryption and vulnerability repair.

The UK will also introduce its own product security and telecommunications infrastructure bill to protect IoT devices. The UK official in charge of digital affairs said that the bill will set up firewalls for everyday technologies such as mobile phones, thermostats, dishwashers, baby monitors and doorbells, and impose huge fines on organizations that violate the new security standards.

A British market research institute predicts that the security expenditure of Internet of Things will reach 6 billion US dollars by 2023.

Health care Internet of Things is in the ascendant

The market value of IoT health equipment will reach 267 billion US dollars in 2023. Among them, the biggest game changers are wearable devices and home sensors, which enable medical personnel to monitor the health status of patients outside the hospital, thus realizing all-weather care, and also freeing up valuable medical resources for patients who need immediate and direct care.

In 2023, the virtual hospital ward will be known by more people, and doctors and nurses will monitor the condition of patients and carry out treatment through sensors and telemedicine.

Smart watches equipped with electrocardiogram and blood oxygen saturation sensors are now very common, and more products will follow in the next year, such as wearable skin patches. Elon Reeve Musk’s brain-computer interface company “nerve connection” device may also be available. The company is manufacturing implants that can read nerve signals to help paralyzed patients regain control of the body.

More attention is paid to governance and supervision

The development and possible impact of strategic emerging industries like Internet of Things have attracted more and more attention from countries around the world.

In 2023, the European Union is expected to introduce legislation that requires smart device manufacturers and operators to comply with stricter rules, including how to collect data, where to store data, and what measures need to be taken to prevent violations. This is only part of a series of new legislation implemented around the world.

With the closer combination with AI and 5G technology and the continuous support of industrial policy, Internet of Things is rapidly expanding towards a broader application scenario. With the gradual maturity of technology, the global Internet of Things has entered a period of rapid growth in scale and industrialization.