Shaping the Future with Technology
Base station
Technology has completely changed the ways of man. It has set up comfortable platforms for most of its activities, with it, having to adapt to an array of unfolding new applications almost always in split seconds, writes Emma Okonji
The pace of technological advancement is fast becoming giddy, that sooner than expected a tiny remote control will carry out any human activity at the greatest convenience anytime and anywhere.
Imagine such possibilities as controlling your car remotely, getting the iron to press your clothing items, activating robots and using them as surveillance tools in your home.
A situation where with the remote control, you can open the door of a car, turn on the ignition and drive out of the garage with a voice command. How about a kitchen appliance like a refrigerator that can alert you when you have almost run out of milk or eggs or even juice? What do you think a house that welcomes you after a long, hard day at the office, and tells you when a visitor is at the door and who the visitor is?
A house that is voice-activated and can read your emails if you are too tired to get to your computer. A wrist gear that is networked with your house so delicately that at every point in time, you are in touch with your home and with what is going on there.
These are all signs of how technology would driving the world in no distant time and such is the power of new technologies that is driving today's world and shaping the future of people globally.
M2M Technology
Machine-to-machine or M2M as it is called, is a technology that allows both wired and wireless systems and devices to communicate with each other. Data usually flows from one device over a network through a gateway to another device, interpreting the data and ultimately performing functions useful for people.
Devices, especially mobile phones, have become so integrated with our lives that they have greatly affected the way we live, work and relax. It is commonplace to hear people say 'I cannot leave home without my mobile phone, or I would rather lose my wallet than lose my mobile phone'. In the past, visually impaired people for instance, moved around with the aid of guide canes.
Devices, especially mobile phones, have become so integrated with our lives that they have greatly affected the way we live, work and relax. It is commonplace to hear people say 'I cannot leave home without my mobile phone, or I would rather lose my wallet than lose my mobile phone'. In the past, visually impaired people for instance, moved around with the aid of guide canes.
As time progressed, these canes became self-illuminating in the dark, after which dogs were trained to lead the blind. Today, a visually impaired person can live a very normal life with the aid of his mobile device, which practically speaks to him and even alerts him when he is moving too close to danger. With the power of M2M technology, his device can also communicate with other devices and gadgets in his home, thereby enabling him to live a very normal and convenient life.
Display of Technology at Mobile World Congress
At the 2014 edition of the Mobile World Congress (MWC), in Barcelona, Spain, which is the largest exhibition forum for the latest in gadgets, technology and mobile devices, companies such as Ericsson, Vodafone, and even a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company like P&G, showcased how the application of the M2M technology is being adopted to help bolster the sophistication of the retail experience, engaging their customers to enjoy even more savvy customer experience.
Over 80,000 participants visited Barcelona to have a glimpse of the future today.
Over 80,000 participants visited Barcelona to have a glimpse of the future today.
From connected products to digital marketing, digital signage and digital displays, FMCGs and retail organisations have cashed in on the M2M technology.
The organisations flaunted the seamless manner technology has helped them to cut costs of energy use considerably and improved supply chain effectiveness to get goods to retail outlets more efficiently. Customers have also been engaged through in-store connections via digital signage and wireless point of sale (PoS).
Vodafone Group, a UK-based telecommunications company with over 403 million customers around the world launched the Smart Retail concept, which makes use of innovative technology to drive customer experience and the company's business performance, was launched during the Mobile World Congress. For them, the M2M technology is the future for customer interaction.
The concept basically speaks about interactivity at the heart of the Vodafone store. The ease and convenience, clear and intuitive navigation and tools to aid customers with their business transactions, are mind-blowing.
In partnership with Volvo and based on Ericsson's multiservice delivery platform (MSDP), Ericsson's connected vehicle cloud, provides infortainment, Apps and communications services in Volvo's new cars.
With the service, drivers and passengers will be able to access an application that provides entertainment, information, and navigation from a screen in the car. With connected vehicle, the driver can equally get traffic alerts, software updates, music downloads, and charging support for electric cars. In addition, Volvo cars will yield part of its platform to other players in the automotive ecosystem.
The Smart Toothbrush
P&G, a FMCG company, made debut, the world's foremost interactive digital toothbrush tagged connected toothbrush from its smart series. With a 4.0 Bluetooth connectivity, one is able to monitor one's oral hygiene through the Oral-B App downloaded in one's mobile phone.
It provides real-time guidance while you brush and makes available your brushing and hygiene data that can be shared with your dentist on your next appointment. The beauty of the Oral-B App is that it not only reports your brushing data to you, it can also personalise a proper brushing routine and programme your smartphone as a remote control to customised brushing needs.
The user is also kept engaged while brushing with news feeds, weather reports and oral care tips . The Oral-B App can be downloaded free of charge on iOS and Android smartphones.
More Technology Advancement
Indeed, the progress of connected devices and Machine-2-Machine communications continues to grow at an incredible pace, shaping the world around us. The MWC was also digitally compliant with digital signage positioned at the entrances and around the exhibition halls to enable visitors, without human interface, easily find their way around the over 98,000 square kilometres of space, at the Fira Gran Via.
Tap-and-go digital signage for near field communications (NFC) gave visitors easy and convenient access to restaurants, badge/security passes and mobile banking among, other services.
Organisations are increasingly beginning to understand the critical need for interactivity with customers, and have cashed in on the M2M technology to reach them. An organisation like Amirror, which advertises on mirrors using the M2M technology, has recorded resounding success with its Smart Mirror series.
The Smart mirrors beam messages to people on mirrors in wash-rooms, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other frequented public places with mirrors. These messages are downloaded directly from Admirror's servers, enabled by Vodafone, straight to the customers. A sort of in-your face advertising without being unnecessarily offensive.
At the MWC, Vodafone showcased its partnership with Admirror on the use of M2M for more impactful adverts in real time.
According to Vodafone's M2M Business Development Manager, Peter Manolescue, the problem faced by advertisers is the difficulty of getting messages across to a very crowded market and very often, you only have a moment to get such messages across effectively.
He said Admirror found a way to distil messages to customers in areas where they least expect it. In other words, adverts can be done in real time. The advert messages are in line with marketing campaigns and adapt to the twists and turns in the campaign. Vodafone's M2M servers allow advertisers to update their messages in real time.
According to a recently released Hollywood movie, 'our devices are us'. The storyline of the blockbuster movie entitled 'Her', portrayed a man who fell in love with his computer operating system (OS).
Perhaps because of how completely wrapped in his world the OS was, it did everything for and with him: helped him to work more efficiently, sleep, relax well to the sound of soothing music and was generally the best PA anyone could ask for.
Again, what the movie and indeed Hollywood is saying is that man and machine have been so integrated that one day, people may actually fall in love with their machines and even go as far as marrying their devices, if the law permits it.
Evolving Technology
Technology is evolving and shaping the future with endless possibilities in various fields including, medicine, agriculture, commerce, aviation, arts, culture, tourism and indeed, everything that affects our daily lives.
Telecommunications companies, vendors, content developers, technology companies, have emerged in the forefront of this evolution, masterminding the birth of new innovations that shape even the way they do business and relate with their various customers. If the movie 'Her' is anything to go by, then indeed, the future is here.
Telecommunications companies, vendors, content developers, technology companies, have emerged in the forefront of this evolution, masterminding the birth of new innovations that shape even the way they do business and relate with their various customers. If the movie 'Her' is anything to go by, then indeed, the future is here.
In Nigeria, there is a revolution in the technology space and people are becoming increasingly aware of these evolutions and becoming better informed. Companies are striving to up their game in order to take the lead in the bold new digital world. An organisation like MTN for instance, understands this and has positioned itself to be part of the digital revolution.
It has evolved from being a telecommunications company to becoming a technology company, providing digital solutions to meet the diverse needs of their very diverse and futuristic customers.
With the proliferation of online shops, one can buy anything simply by going online, surfing for what you need and clicking the purchase button. Within 24 hours, your purchase will be delivered right to your doorsteps. It is also easy to sell off what you no longer need by again, going online and displaying a photograph of the item for sale.
Within days, a buyer will click on it and your old item is taken off you. Statistics have shown the explosion and astronomic rise of online shopping as people avidly seek new ways of digitally meeting their needs without minimum stress and at a lesser cost.
Today, technology is creating smart devices that will better the lives of all that understand the power of technology. It is therefore expedient that Nigerians take advantage of the evolving technology that is shaping the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment