AI adoption, advancements in camera technology, and IoT

By Ryan Wilkinson, CTO at IntelliShift

2020 has presented many challenges for industries across the globe. One 2021 prediction that is sure to be true is this: we can speculate what the future will bring, but the pandemic will certainly have its own say in the end. With that, making predictions may seem like a fool's errand - nonetheless we aim to set ourselves up for success based on current and forward-looking trends, all the while being prepared to adjust for the unexpected.

A few trends to keep an eye on as we head into 2021 - with a focus on connected vehicle and asset operations - include how artificial intelligence (AI) usage will increase across industries, continuous advancements in camera technology and the ability to better integrate the immense amount of data that is being produced every second by IoT into business decision making, metrics and roadmap.

AI adoption continues to surge

It's well known at this point that manufacturing and customer service are already benefiting from AI and are primed for an increase in AI usage, especially considering that these processes are completed thousands of times a day and are generally rote in nature.

The transportation sector has also become a hotbed for the implementation of AI. Companies in the transportation space have been championing the development of autonomous vehicles (AV), but we're still very likely more than a decade away from perfecting the AV for mainstream use. That being said, AI in certain segments will start maturing more rapidly, primarily because the hardware and data is now more affordable than it has ever been and easier to deploy.

Advancements in camera technology

Advancements in camera technology are producing more predictive data than ever before. With the computing power at the edge in smart vehicles, there are more applications for edge computing using machine learning (ML) and AI.

As cellular costs are being driven down by the advancements in communication technology - like 5G - users will eventually be able to transmit large video files faster in a cost-effective way. The ability to host data-rich video and imagery into the cloud for a deeper analysis is already transforming the way AI is being used. For example, the use of AI in video can help increase safety in transportation, providing alerts in real-time if a driver is showing signs of drowsiness - potentially saving lives down the road.

2021 data produced by IoT solutions

With the world constantly shifting, there are more connected devices available to meet a range of needs. Whether it's temperature sensors monitoring the COVID-19 vaccines or the handheld devices purchasing your shopping goods, IoT is growing at a consistent rate and is producing a wealth of data. For businesses and users, data is a form of digital currency that is growing exponentially.

In the past, business intelligence and data modeling tools such as PowerBI and Tableau have been operated by IT and data analysts, and were typically a major project for organizations to implement and integrate within their existing infrastructure. In 2021, there will be more business-tailored data tools available to enterprises than ever before, that are more specific to industries and each company's unique operations, which will help ingest, integrate and analyze that data and align it with their company goals and initiatives.

While every company is certainly overcoming its own set of challenges, it's evident that AI adoption, advancing camera technology and IoT-produced data will play a big role in fulfilling customer needs in 2021. To boost user satisfaction, while keeping operational costs in mind, AI and data-driven technologies will help organizations see unmatched value in all facets of business, from transportation to construction and beyond.

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About the Author

Ryan Wilkinson has always been intrigued by technology, focusing on how and why solutions work the way they do. He believes understanding the how and why in technology is imperative in building technology solutions to drive positive outcomes. Ryan has over 10 years of experience in the IoT, cloud computing and enterprise SaaS market leading teams in delivering solutions that transform how businesses use technology and operate. In his current role as CTO of IntelliShift, Ryan's expertise in applying geospatial technology, machine learning and IoT solutions has helped propel the IntelliShift platform to the forefront of the connected fleet world. IntelliShift is focused on transforming the IoT world with a next-generation vehicle and asset operations intelligence platform to address today's evolving business needs. IntelliShift helps companies align enterprise operations with business goals.