Examining the potential and limitations of the 'internet of things' for developing countries
The “internet of things” is an emerging class of technologies which use machine-produced data, most commonly from sensors, communicated via connectivity technologies such as mobile phones, to gather real-time information, which can then be analyzed and used to improve processes and decision-making.
Internet of things has taken off in the last few years in developed countries, for example wearable sensors in watches and bracelets to measure vital signs and count steps and progress towards products such as self-driving cars.
While there are examples of internet of things applications in developing country settings, they are far less common and the majority are focused around the so-called smart city movement; a new model of urban design which integrates information and technology to build and run a city more sustainably and efficiently.
About the author
Sophie Edwards
Sophie Edwards is a Devex Contributing Reporter covering global education, water and sanitation, and innovative financing, along with other topics. She has previously worked for NGOs, and the World Bank, and spent a number of years as a journalist for a regional newspaper in the U.K. She has a master's degree from the Institute of Development Studies and a bachelor's from Cambridge University.
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