© OuiShare "OuiShare Summit 2012"
M2M (machine-to-machine) technology is prolific in the start-up scene but can often be drowned out by the flashier innovations in social media and app creation. Apps today help us get what we want as quickly and easily as possible – whether it is information, a taxi, or a date. M2M technology – in industry, the office, our pockets – is after the same pursuits with the addition of – when preferable – extracting the human element to allow greater ease and efficiency, for both the individual, and the greater whole.
On the Road
BlaBlaCar is an example of a new ‘smart’ start-up that increases efficiency by joining disparate parts. The concept is very simple: BlaBlaCar connects individuals with empty seats in cars travelling in the same direction as them. In need of a cheap way to travel, by logging on to BlaBlaCar you can locate a driver along with their prices and ratings. Not only does this save money for both passenger and driver, but it is environmentally healthy and helps to reduce congestion on the roads.
BlaBlaCar evidently relies upon the human element for its system. The city of Moscow, however, has turned to M2M technology. The city now uses a system called Fastprk, which through wireless sensors, informs a driver via their smartphone or electronic street panels, where the nearest available parking spot is. Not only is this beneficial for the driver, but allows the city council to collect data on congestion, and reduces CO2 emissions.
M2M from Deutsche Telekom is part of the growing harvest of ‘intelligent’ technology emerging on the scene, enabling cars to navigate themselves away from traffic jams, or towards the nearest services. It is also being utilised for safety, with all vehicles driving in the EU from 2015 onwards having to be installed with an automatic emergency call system.
Smarter Tomorrow
Technology such as this is taking over the world of energy, industry, and health as well as automobiles, and is full of young entrepreneurs. Two of the most prominent of these are Kevin McMahon and Scott Hedges.
McMahon is the CEO of Healthimo, a company that provides remote-healthcare technology. McMahon initially began work on the technology when his daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, and was faced with an assortment of challenges to gain entry to the healthcare field. Hedges has created technology that allows swimmers to be in contact with their coaches while they are in the water. This technology is especially exciting, as it looks to be adapted for all sports and is set to revolutionise training.
With more young innovators like these, our world is set to become very smart, very fast.
