The Internet of things

• Marie Louise Jørgensen
• Jacob Skjødt Nielsen

Until recently the internet has been limited to web browsers on a computer, but with the still reclining size of network modules and enhanced process power, the internet is now spreading to more and smaller units. The mobile phone is continuously exchanging information about the usage and location of the phone with central servers, and new technologies such as GPS, RFID and NFC (Near Field Communication) create new possibilities for identification and localisation of things and people.

The increased amounts of data create a lot of opportunities for enhanced efficiency. The ‘Travel card’ can register and analyse the collective transportation in details, electronic medical charts make the health care system more efficient and video surveillance combined with facial recognition can analyse the shopping patterns and actions of people in public spaces, in regards to safety and spatial improvement.

The future aspects of internet usage are many and from time to time incomprehensible. Subject that were earlier confined to the private sphere, have had a tendency to become increasingly stored in data collection. This perhaps makes legislation and public debate in relation to privacy even more pertinent than earlier.

Through workshop and public meetings the Danish Board of Technology focus on five themes in relation to the Internet of Things, here among Legislation, Uses and Ethics. The project will continue until November 2012 and is completed with a summarising report as well as political recommendations. For more information, see the Danish webpage.