The Internet of Things is a network of physical, everyday objects that use embedded technologies to interact with each other. Think how a tablet communicates with a laptop or smartphone, sharing information and reacting to prompts.
Now imagine a similar interaction between an alarm clock and a smart car. Or between two cars driving on the highway.
“This will lead to improved safety, security, and loss prevention in the insurance industry,” research firm Gartner said last year. “Internet of Things will also facilitate new business models, such as usage-based insurance calculated based on real-time driving data. The banking and securities industry will continue to innovate around mobile and micropayment technology using convenient point-of-sale terminals and will invest in improved physical security systems.”
Gartner predicted that there will be more than 26 billion items on the Internet of Things by 2020, an number far greater than the 7 billion smartphones, tablets, and computers predicted to be around.
Internet2 and Innova said they hope the advanced electric vehicles can help researchers better understand the quickly growing network. At the end of the project, all of the data will be publicly available to researchers.
“The project is part of Innova’s goal of engaging with researchers in all fields across higher education.University involvement gives campus participants an ideal dense use environment in a contained space,” said Roman Kuropas, Innova’s chief executive officer. “I am excited about discovering new applications to leverage the vehicle, the Internet2 Network and services to benefit campuses nationwide.”
Interested universities can apply to be apart of the project by visiting Internet2’s website, which proclaims that the experiment will “help move beyond ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD) to devices that can bring you!”
Follow Jake New on Twitter at @eCN_Jake.
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