The Internet of Things is a developing technology which uses many devices in conjunction as well as the internet to manage the existing world with data. It works by using the sensors on these devices and transferring this data between them using low energy communications such as Bluetooth or Wifi. Then, this data can be used to manage and predict various systems within a city, such as traffic, waste management, water usage, air conditioning, and more.
This is a developing technology and not currently being used in many places. However, in the future we can expect this to become a great development, so long that it is uninvasive, helpful for humans quality of life, and doesn't breach the privacy of civilians within the city. This can benefit a city like Chico a lot. While the Internet of Thing's utility is mostly discussed for big cities, small cities and towns can benefit from this as well. For example, many traffic lights in Chico are well managed currently, but on certain holidays, or unpredictable days, traffic light timing can really slow down in certain directions. Sensors in cars and phones can help reprogram lights to have better timings when there is more movement from east to west than north to east on certain streets, once again, benefitting everyone, and readjusting when this isn't the case. Additionally, air conditioning and energy usage can be better managed as well as Chico has more and more intense weather patterns every coming year.
Chico residents can have smart homes with the internet of things to help regulate thermostats, locks, and lights. This can help reduce energy consumption, enhance home security, and improve convenience. Chico also can benefit from the IoT for monitoring the environment. Chico is prone to wildfires and pollution, and IoT sensors can be deployed to help watch air temperature and humidity, helping warning Chico residents in advance before they plan their outings and events.
Healthcare also benefits a lot from the Internet of Things, and Chico residents can count on patient monitoring, telemedicine, and predictive analytics from apps and devices. Finally, Chico's agriculture sector would benefit from weather monitoring for moisture, temperature, and humidity, further helping farmers make data-driven decisions for irrigation, fertilizer application, and crop management.
