📹 ‘Five minutes’ about internet of things

There is such a buzz around the “internet of things”, that the expression has already gained a life of its own. And when this is the case in technology, it is easy to forget everything lying behind the concept, everything that we can really grasp, all that is tangible. There is a bundle of motion sensors, smart devices, and the trend is now spreading to cars and even clothing.

ECO spent five minutes talking to Paulo Patrício, who is one of Celfocus’ managers, responsible for the IoT area in the company. Celfocus is a subsidiary of Novabase, and its business focus is the telecoms area.

In this talk, the IoT manager highlighted two of his projects: a t-shirt that can scan an electrocardiogram, and a solution that provides high-quality Wi-Fi in cars.

“IoT is more and more present in our daily lives. We have witnessed an increase in the number of devices connected to the network, sharing data. Our data, about the ecosystem, and our cities, is intensely growing and the trend is obvious.”, Paulo explained. He connected the growth in this trend with the low cost of devices, and the “evolution of technology”, which is spreading and organically becoming part of our lives.

Concretely regarding the solutions presented by Celfocus in this area, ECO had the privilege to check on first-hand the “smart” t-shirt filled with electrodes that, according to Paulo Patrício, will allow for the wearable device to do a high precision electrocardiogram, with the same results as in a clinic or a hospital. On top of it, the company has added to the t-shirt project a feature that allows more interaction,  following-up on the gamification trend in this sector, which is trying to transform serious things into games.

“The personal trainer and the doctor can monitor the data through this gamification software, defining exercises for the patient, who will as well have an extra motivation to remain healthy and even go through with the rehabilitation faster”, he told ECO, at the terrace of Novabase’s headquarters, in Parque das Nações.

"IoT is more and more present in our daily lives. We have witnessed an increase in the number of devices connected to the network, sharing data. Our data, about the ecosystem, and our cities, is intensely growing and the trend is obvious. ”

Besides the t-shirt, Celfocus is working with Vodafone International to create a solution for a Wi-Fi network for cars. “Yes, well cars are definitely becoming increasingly autonomous and smart. Even though one of us is driving, there are usually four other people who are not” he explained.

Broadly speaking, Celfocus created an access point that allows all passengers to get Wi-Fi in the car. “Inside the car, you register in the hotspot. Having this type of service in the car allows people to watch, say, Netflix. The advantage is that you do not have to handle your own mobile phone or worry that you have to share mobile data. It is already part of the car, and your kids or friends can use it” he underlined to ECO.

To give all this technology full-speed, the market is awaiting the arrival of the 5G network, the fifth generation of mobile networks, which is due to start spreading in 2020. “Yes, the 5G networks will certainly become part of the IoT. Likewise, the IoT will integrate the 5G project. They are complementary technologies, that come to help provide these services to a larger audience.” But he also noted that “until 2020, Portugal will have to wait. It [5G] is still a bit far from reach.”