The Internet of (Any)thing, eh?
Many names are prominent in the technology world — Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos — but my personal favourites are George, Jane, Judy, Elroy and Astro. When I was a kid, watching the Jetsons zoom around in their flying car and come home to their household robot, Rosie seemed like a world straight out of my imagination. But when I look around now, many of the Jetson inventions already fill our homes. My phone controls my lights and thermostat while my watch doubles as a pedometer that communicates with online programs to customize my workouts.
Many of these inventions fall under the umbrella of the Internet of Things (IoT), which is any internet capable device. I know — that’s pretty much anything and everything these days. From industry-specific tools to Jetson-worthy robot vacuums, here’s a list of some exciting IoT technologies created in our very own backyard.
Zephyr Sleep Technologies
I love my sleep. My husband can attest to two crucial agreements in our marriage — don’t wake Nadirah up and don’t take away her food. But sleep doesn’t take my breath away. Over 20% of adults suffer from sleep apnea, which in the simplest terms means you stop breathing in your sleep. Those who suffer from sleep apnea have to undergo time-consuming testing and may face a lifetime of sleeping with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which is essentially a mask that may span your whole face forcing you to breathe through your sleep continuously. The alternative to the CPAP machine is a custom fitted oral appliance, but not every patient takes well to the device. Zephyr Sleep Technologies has created an at-home system, the MATRx plus, that will help predict a patient’s response to an oral appliance. The system includes a mouthpiece with tiny motors that adjust depending on breathing rates and blood oxygen levels.
MakeFashion/StitchKit
Founded in Calgary, MakeFashion fuses fashion and technology with clothing that changes colours or shades depending on your body temperature or time of day. Using LED lights, a custom Arduino-based board and a vast array of sensors, fashion is literally lighting the way.
Last year, MakeFashion proposed Stitchkit on Kickstarter, a kit that includes all the components to adapt any clothing item into a wearable. In January, they more than tripled their goal of $10,000, receiving over $30,000 from 209 backers.
bObsweep
Vacuuming is one of those chores that I do when I realize the dark patch in the corner of my room is not a shadow; it’s a ball of dust. I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a Roomba, but I haven’t been able to convince myself fully. Enter bObsweep. Founded in Toronto in 2011, bObsweep comes in approximately 100 dollars cheaper than it’s American counterpart. With multiple models ranging from those who own pets, those with smaller spaces, and those who’d rather see the clean, not hear it, it would be difficult to find one not suited for your needs. bObsweep is programmable and plugs himself in when he’s running out of power.
Instant Pot
Instant Pot arrived on the scene in late 2010 from Ottawa, but when they incorporated Bluetooth technology in 2014, we were suddenly able to program our meals using an iOS or Android app. As someone who dreads the dinner prep after finishing a long day at work, a cooking appliance that I can start using a simple app on my phone is a lifesaver!
Visionstate — WANDA
I usually need to use the washroom at the most inopportune moment, and there is nothing worse than a dirty toilet. Based in Edmonton, Visionstate’s WANDA (Washroom Attendant Notification Digital Aid) is an industrial grade tablet that allows customers the capability to provide real-time data for building and property managers to maintain their facilities. With a touch of a button, a customer can notify the building manager of a malfunctioning facility or a request for service.
Echologics
Toronto-based engineer company, Echologics offers an array of leak detection technology to provide real-time data ensuring a lower rate of water loss. According to Environment Canada, water utility companies lose up to 15 percent of their water through leaking pipes. With the use of Echologics IoT based leak detection solutions, cities could prioritize and address the repair of pipelines and infrastructure.
When I started my research on IoT, it was overwhelming. Anything and everything that can be connected to the internet or communicate with another device will be connected. If IoT is your passion or you want to learn more about IoT, check out Chic Geek’s monthly MeetnTech events along with other STEM supporters! For now, I have to go, Rosie is telling me that Astro’s swallowed my phone and the lights are changing colour.
If you’d like to learn more about the Internet of Things or meet the awesome community members & volunteers from Chic Geek, head over to our next Meet N Tech event happening April 18 in Calgary!
