The Internet of Things: Cloud-based Services and Smart Living

To highlight the essential role GNSS plays in the developing area of the Internet of Things, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) recently participated in four global events on the topic.

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a major development in the role of the Internet: the interconnectivity of uniquely identifiable devices. Beyond improving productivity and efficiency of organizations, IoT solutions are opening a new set of applications in almost every sector of the economy.  The IoT network can connect anything ranging from personal cell phones, tablets and PCs to smart roads, smart shelf signage and smart appliances.

While GNSS is integral to the Internet of Things, its role is often downplayed as an element within smart applications. To raise awareness of its role and to ensure that European GNSS programmes will be considered as important players in this potentially massive global market, the GSA recently took a closer look at the market trends surrounding the Internet of Things. 

The Essential Role of GNSS

At World Smart Week, an annual event dedicated to smart, connected services and innovation, the GSA took part in a panel discussion entitled ‘Geo-Location, the Beating Heart of IoT’. The discussion highlighted how location based services and timing information, using GNSS, will become increasingly important for IoT applications. For example, the improved accuracy and overall performance created by multi-constellation systems means GNSS will move from being a sensor to actually controlling the ‘things’, including UAVs and connected cars.

In Prague, at the IOT Forum, over 200 representatives of Czech companies gathered to discuss the role of IoT in industry. The GSA joined Vodafone, EMC, BMW, IDC, Robodrone and others for a panel discussion on the evolution of IoT. Specifically, the GSA explained how the technology enabling IoT relies heavily on sensors that connect the physical and digital worlds. As such, Galileo sensors will play an important role in providing valuable information on location, velocity and time.

At the TechUK Satellite Applications and Services Conference, the focus was on how new developments in satellite technology are expanding the scope of applications. New developments in satellite technology are finding applications not only in the traditional sectors of broadcasting, communications, navigation, earth observation and defence, but across the wider economy, including transport and healthcare. Speaking at the conference, the GSA stressed that European GNSS is an enabler of IoT, pointing to the ITS sector as an example where Galileo will provide better positioning accuracy and signal authentication.

Last but not least, at a seminar hosted by GNSS.asia in Taipei entitled ‘Smart X: When GNSS Meets the Internet of Things”, the GSA joined a variety of institutional and industrial experts from the EU and Taiwan. The event was an excellent opportunity to build a solid team of EU and Asian industrial professionals and GNSS experts, the GNSS.asia project seeks to develop relationships, networking opportunities, and increased visibility to Asian markets.

The Message is Clear

From these various events – across sectors and countries - the message is clear: European GNSS provides a level of reliability, precision and robustness that can help expand the Internet of Things and its benefits throughout the EU and beyond. By allowing for the development of new applications, in addition to the improvement of existing applications, European GNSS will provide new avenues of economic opportunity to EU countries, businesses and citizens via IoT.

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