The digital technology has an impact on all aspects of our lives. Even mobility in cities could not be left out. The Internet of Things (IoT) is already transforming the ways in which we move and circulate, causing an impact on everyone’s lives.
But what is IoT and how does connectivity modify the parameters of urban mobility? Below, you will understand how this is happening and what the consequences will be for the future.
What is the Internet of Things?
A cell phone that connects to other devices, a refrigerator that responds to voice commands, or a digital assistant that controls the lights in your home. If you use any of these technologies, you are already enjoying the potential of the Internet of Things.
IoT refers to the network of physical objects, composed of sensors, software, and other technologies, that can establish connections with each other and the internet, transmitting data through the cloud. The forecast is that by 2025, the number of connected IoT devices will reach 22 billion units.
Beyond household items, IoT also impacts – and will increasingly impact – collective aspects of our lives. According to Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter, the Internet of Things is “the most substantial change in the production of goods since the Second Industrial Revolution.”
Therefore, one of the predictions is that urban mobility will also have more and more participation from this and other technologies. This could, of course, mean an improvement in quality of life for many people.
Vinicius Miranda, from the engineering team at Parlacom Telecom M2M & IoT, notes that the integration of IoT into urban mobility systems is a game-changer. He emphasizes that Parlacom offers On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) as a solution to enhance vehicle monitoring and management, contributing to the advancement of smarter and more efficient urban transportatio
New models of urban mobility with IoT
Startups are investing in solutions for transportation in cities. According to a study by Liga Ventures in partnership with Sem Parar, there are currently 157 startups in the country’s IoT urban mobility segment. They can be divided into 10 categories:
– Electric mobility (24.84%);
– Data intelligence (12.74%);
– Support services (10.83%);
– Collective (9.55%);
– E-sharing (8.92%);
– Corporate mobility (8.28%);
– E-hailing (7.01%);
– Parking (7.01%);
– Alternative transportation (5.73%);
– Accessibility (5.10%).
All of them are looking to achieve innovations that help improve the quality of mobility and solve problems related to moving around cities. The Internet of Things promises to provide new technologies, such as integrated data systems, apps that inform about traffic and weather conditions, alternative routes, and information about public transportation.
The idea is that all of this connectivity will improve urban mobility issues. For example, it can help manage congestion and coordinate vehicle flow more efficiently, improving people’s quality of life.
Sustainability in public transportation
Connectivity from IoT promises to bring solutions for mobility in the future. Startups in the mobility sector are also focusing on another essential point: sustainability in transportation.
In the coming years, the trend is a decrease in cars with fossil fuels – which means investing in other more economical and ecological modes of transportation. These include bicycles and electric vehicles, which emit fewer polluting gases.
But all of this technology also brings new challenges, such as creating secure systems, as connected devices become more susceptible to attacks.
Fortunately, several companies are working in this area and investing in the new demands of IoT. For example, they are thinking about cell phones with chips compatible with more controlled use of Wi-Fi.
Therefore, the future points to the emergence of new technologies that will greatly improve our movements around the city. Startups in the sector are investing in innovations that will make traffic, transportation, and all urban circulation smarter and more enjoyable for all of us.