IoT: Driving the Future of Smart Places in the UK

Despite economic uncertainty, 2022 has been a landmark year for Internet of Things (IoT), with the technology making strides in creating smarter, greener, and healthier environments across the UK. IoT is reshaping cities and communities through innovative applications, from intelligent lighting to smart waste collection, enhancing efficiency and sustainability.

Scotland and Wales Lead the Charge

Scotland has emerged as a trailblazer, with 31 of its 32 local authorities connected to an IoT network. This national infrastructure, established by North and the Scottish Government in 2018, has empowered communities to deploy IoT solutions at scale. Notably, 2022 saw the introduction of the UK’s first IoT course in colleges in Ayrshire and the Borders, signalling a commitment to developing future-ready skills.

Wales, while still building its IoT infrastructure, made significant progress with government-backed initiatives enabling the establishment of IoT gateways and networks. These upgrades will unlock new opportunities in the coming years.

The UK Government’s policy paper, Transforming for a Digital Future: 2022 to 2025 Roadmap for Digital and Data, further underscores the nation's focus on leveraging IoT to drive efficiency and sustainability.

Challenges and Opportunities

Economic pressures, including public sector funding cuts, pose challenges to the growth of IoT adoption. However, spend-to-save initiatives present a promising solution. By investing in technologies like damp and humidity sensors for homes, local authorities can protect housing stock, minimise repair costs, and ensure long-term sustainability.

Transforming Housing and Social Care

The housing sector is already seeing the benefits of IoT, with registered social landlords and local authorities implementing smart technologies to improve tenant wellbeing and housing quality.

Looking ahead, 2023 will be a pivotal year for IoT in social care. The deployment of smart sensors can:

• Enable vulnerable individuals to remain safely in their homes longer.
• Facilitate hospital discharges by ensuring returning patients have supportive home environments.

IoT’s real-time data capabilities provide actionable insights, enabling data-driven decisions rather than reliance on assumptions.

IoT’s Role in Sustainability

Sustainability remains a critical focus. COP27 highlighted the potential of digital solutions, with IoT poised to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20% by 2030.

North is actively collaborating with organisations across the manufacturing, education, and construction sectors, integrating IoT to advance sustainability initiatives. The application of sensor technology enables better trend analysis and more informed decision-making, accelerating the journey towards a greener future.

A Future Shaped by IoT

As we enter 2023, the expansion of IoT across housing, social care, and sustainability efforts is set to redefine how we live and work. By integrating smart technology from the outset in new-build developments and scaling its use in social care, IoT can deliver meaningful change, empowering communities and individuals alike.

The conversation has only just begun, but the potential of IoT to transform lives, protect the environment, and drive economic efficiency is undeniable.