The IoT(internet of things) and Overlanding: What could be possible.
What is the IoT?
Wikipedia describes it as “The Internet of things (IoT) describes physical objects (or groups of such objects) that are embedded with sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communications networks.” So basically, things that are connected to the internet (like your smart fridge)
But there’s a lot of other uses for the IoT besides your fridge sending you a notification that you’re low on almond milk. A lot.
Looking at the website
CalChip Connect (the largest distributor of IoT products) we can see the long catalog of different sensors, trackers, and other categories.
“But Conner,” you say “we’re going Overlanding! There’s none of that darn internet out there! Heck my cell phone barely works at times!” Well, that’s where it gets a little more complicated….
One solution is Starlink. I believe this company will be fundamental to the evolution of the internet as times goes on. I’ll be dedicating a post to this as well and my thoughts on them. Their satellite internet program though, would be the only (I believe) present solution.
Overlanding is a pretty rural hobby, and that’s one of their focuses is connecting the rural areas better to the internet. Their satellites are pretty small, definitely portable and maybe even small enough someone could eventually make a mount for them on rigs like another antenna. The internet speed they promise is 100-200mb/s, which is way faster than you’d ever need really. I also like they have no data caps, I believe the price is also $99/mo. So theoretically, this would cover your internet needs for your rigs while Overlanding. Anywhere.
The other solution, which I personally believe to be way more interesting (although much, much more complicated) is the Helium Network. The Helium Network is described by Amir Haleem (CEO & Co-Founder of Helium) as “Helium is a blockchain network that leverages a decentralized global network of Hotspots — devices that double as network miners and wireless access points — initially to provide long-range connectivity to Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and long-term to connect anything to the internet via a decentralized wireless network such as 5G. Hotspots can be deployed by anyone and enable individuals to earn Helium’s native HNT coins in exchange for providing devices with connectivity. This decentralized, blockchain-based approach allows wireless infrastructure to scale more rapidly and at a fraction of the cost of traditional models.”
To be continued.