How Will the Internet of Things (IoT) Impact the Travel Experience?

Summary

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a collection of objects that transfer data over a network. While the most well-known such object is the smartphone, a variety of IoT devices are currently on the market – and the abundance and sophistication of those in development are quickly increasing. Smart home appliances, voice-controlled lighting systems and wearable activity monitors are just a few examples. The Internet of Things will be a $14.4 trillion market worldwide in the next decade and the number of connected "things" is projected to grow from 4.9 billion in 2015 to nearly 25 billion by 2020. Clearly, the market for the IoT will be huge, as will its impact on the travel industry. This article explores the role of the IoT in both daily life and the travel industry, and examines how up-and-coming smart devices will change the travel experience.