Triggering the Transformative Potential of the Internet of Things
Nearly three decades have passed since the World Wide Web was invented. Anyone under the age of 30 today can hardly imagine a world without social media, instant messaging, blogs or online shopping. The rapid rise of the Internet since then has revolutionized culture, business and consumer products, and supported the advent of new technologies like “smart” and wearable devices.
The question is: What’s next?
Dr. Khalid Elgazzar, Canada Research Chair in Internet of Things, is trying to answer that question. He is investigating the Internet of Things (IoT) to uncover new information about how Internet-enabled computing devices (things) and advancements in wireless technologies may expand. His findings will have applications for the seamless interaction of “smart” services in areas such as health care, transportation, industrial automation, emergency response and law enforcement.
Elgazzar and his research team understand that privacy concerns among users could inhibit the adoption of IoT, so their research includes developing a dynamic and robust authorization control system that adheres strictly to privacy policies.
The massive deployment of embedded computing devices could revolutionize the way people carry out everyday tasks. But these devices must respond to people’s explicit and implicit needs naturally, without the need for people to even pay attention. Elgazzar’s research could help the IoT reach its full potential, so it can enable informed decisions on how to transform real-time sensor data into useful actions that can help people live smarter, safer, more productive lives.