IoT: more than just a buzzword

IoT may have reached the hype peak but this decade-old term is a lot more than a buzzword.

The global Internet of Things (IoT) output is expected to reach $600 billion in 2016, according Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute (MIC). Taiwan wants a big slice of this market. The government is strongly encouraging local businesses to embrace new technologies and capture the global IoT market.

Taiwan’s IoT market is expected to grow to $290 million in 2017 from $148 million in 2013 to $ 290 million in 2017, with a compound annual growth rate of 19%, according to IDC. Multimedia telecommunications, government and logistics industries are expected to witness fastest growth - estimated to account for 5% of the overall market size.

Not surprisingly, IoT is a hot topic at the country’s biggest annual electronics show, Taitronics. The show features an IoT pavilion that showcases future smart home technologies. Below are some highlights from the pavilion.

Access control technology

iiKey is an access control system that enhances security by combining three biometrics authentication technologies. These include: face recognition, iris identification and eye tracking, to verify user identity. To complete a valid authentication, each user must pass all three verifications. The eye-tracking technology (Brain ID) allows the user to enter passwords with their eyes and the face recognition technology captures information and measures distinctive features of the face to identify individuals by matching them against a list saved in the database. Iris identification extracts iris information from the user and compares it against the user list in the database.

The multibiometrics system of iiKey helps prevent the falsification, enhance security and strengthen safety. Other features include: silent call for help - an eye-triggering silent call-for-help function is embedded in iiKey for a user to notify security guards unobtrusively when in danger; intention driven identification - an unconscious person will not be able to enter the password with their eyes, thus the person cannot pass the eye-tracking verification; multibiometrics helps prevent falsification; proof of life: the iris pattern changes when a person dies, thus, a dead person or a disembodied eye will not have valid iris information to pass the verification.

Driver behaviour technology

Applying the image processing technology, the Intelligent Co-Pilot (ICP) evaluates driver behaviour, vehicle condition and driving environment to determine whether it is safe to stay on the road. The system will generate real-time alerts to a control centre through 3G when critical events occur, which allows faster response to traffic emergency. The efficiency of fleet management can be enhanced with the assistance of ICP.

Features include: embedded GPS, speed reminder, overspeed alarm, fatigue detection, 3G communication, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication.

Eye-controlled computer

SpringTrack is an eye-controlled computer that allows people with communication difficulties to express freely through gaze interaction. The technology provides accurate measurements of every eye gaze and movement. By simply looking or blinking at the screen, the users can control the cursor by their eyes to execute each command. SpringTrack allows communication-challenged users to engage in daily interactions through writing emails, reading the news, surfing the net or even controlling the environment.

Non-invasive glucose monitor

The non-invasive glucose monitor detects how the glucose inside the eye’s anterior chamber responds to low-power infrared light that is gleamed on the liquid inside the chamber. A relative body glucose concentration reading can be derived by measuring the glucose concentration of the aqueous humour. The detector provides continuous inspection and causes no pain, bleeding or infection and no consumable materials are required. It’s a convenient device for diabetics to use at home.

Musical bulb

Ace Victory Energy’s LED bulb not only lights up a room but can play music. It can also connect to other LED lighting products through Bluetooth. The bulb offers lighting output of 800 to 2500 lm