How the Internet of Things will benefit older and younger generations – The Property Chronicle
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How the Internet of Things will benefit older and younger generations What’s more important? Your fridge telling you to buy some milk on the way home, or your floor recognising an older person has fallen and notifying the emergency services?

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Having recently hosted an event at MIPIM 2018 on the topic I can confidently say the Internet of Things (IoT) is here to stay and is set to make big differences in the way we live, work and shop.

You can look at stats such as there being a predicted 20.4 billion connected things in use globally by 2020, or the value of the industry being set to be US$138 billion by 2023. However, I look to the simple fact that from primitive man to the present, as a species we have always pursued increased connectivity.

When it comes to the home IoT is already here with over 40% of homes having a connected device within the UK. However, we firmly believe the biggest impact is going to be initially made with seniors. It’s great that anyone can adjust their heating or lighting from their phone but it’s not a true game changer. However, how IoT can help older people live for longer in their homes truly is.

We carried out a survey with the over 70’s which threw up some key insights into this field. After deteriorating health, losing their independence was the biggest concern. This concern involves moving to a retirement home, but eventually, IoT is what could make the difference to accomodate people to stay in their existing home for longer.

77% of respondents also felt technology can make living at home easier. When we probed further it covered a variety of reasons:






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About James Fenner

James Fenner

James Fenner is founder and MD of Silk Road (www.wearesilkroad.com) and Co-Founder of Optim. He set up Silk Road four years ago to shake up the property marketing landscape. Previously James’s only property experience was running the marketing for the highly successful Fitzroy Place scheme. In the 15 years prior he worked with brands such as: Coca-Cola, Levi’s, Citibank, Schweppes, Southern Comfort, Habitat, Audi, Volkswagen, Rio Tinto and Unilever. He brings knowledge of how other sectors work to property, endeavouring to haul it into the 21st century.

Articles by James Fenner

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