Let the Machines Do the Talking

Berg Insight found recently that a growing percentage of mobile network connections worldwide are being used for wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. Analysts paint a picture of a technology-savvy wireless user with a smartphone, tablet, e-reader, connected PND, an embedded telematics system in the car, and a cellular security alarm at home; and maybe throw in a smart electricity meter with GPRS connectivity, and a cellular speed control warning system for good measure. And all the devices could be talking to each other.

Do we really have to talk to each other anymore? Is the same thing happening in the factory? Senior analyst Tobias Ryberg says OEMs increasingly offer factory-installed M2M solutions, and aftermarket systems are more available too.