IoT Development Trends 2023: Edge Computing and 5G Connectivity

The Internet of Things (IoT) market is exploding. Forecasts indicate nearly 19 billion connected IoT devices by end of 2024 (up ~13% from 2023). This surge is driven by new use cases and faster networks. Mobile 5G, in particular, is enabling IoT applications that require real-time data transfer, such as autonomous vehicles and remote surgery. In response, edge computing – processing data on or near devices – is a key development practice, reducing latency and bandwidth use.

Key Trends:

5G and LPWAN: The rollout of 5G and low-power wide-area networks (LoRaWAN, NB-IoT) expands IoT reach. 5G’s high throughput and low latency support applications like VR-enabled training and instant IoT analytics. LPWANs provide long-range, battery-friendly connectivity for sensors.
Edge AI and TinyML: More intelligence is moving onto devices. Developers embed machine learning models directly on hardware (TinyML) so that devices can make decisions locally (e.g. predictive maintenance on a sensor without cloud round-trip). This trend lowers data costs and improves response times.
Industrial IoT (IIoT): Smart factories and Industry 4.0 use cases dominate. Sensors on machines, combined with IoT platforms, enable predictive maintenance and process optimization. Development frameworks (like Eclipse IoT, Azure IoT Edge) help builders integrate industrial protocols.
Security by Design: Security is built into IoT devices and platforms. Encryption, secure boot, and hardware root-of-trust protect devices. Over-the-air update capabilities ensure vulnerabilities can be patched in the field. With the growing number of devices (projected ~19B by 2024), strong IoT cybersecurity is non-negotiable.
Standards and Interoperability: Efforts like the OCF and Matter aim to unify IoT ecosystems. Developers increasingly use common data models (e.g. JSON/CoAP) and open APIs so that devices from different vendors can interoperate.

In summary, 2023’s IoT development focuses on connectivity, intelligence, and security at the edge. Companies invest in 5G-enabled solutions, AI-capable hardware, and robust security frameworks. The sheer scale – billions of devices – means IoT solutions must be scalable and maintainable. For European developers, leveraging these trends will enable smarter cities, homes, and industries across the continent.

IoT Development Trends 2023: Edge Computing and 5G Connectivity

Key Trends:

5G and LPWAN: The rollout of 5G and low-power wide-area networks (LoRaWAN, NB-IoT) expands IoT reach. 5G’s high throughput and low latency support applications like VR-enabled training and instant IoT analytics. LPWANs provide long-range, battery-friendly connectivity for sensors.
Edge AI and TinyML: More intelligence is moving onto devices. Developers embed machine learning models directly on hardware (TinyML) so that devices can make decisions locally (e.g. predictive maintenance on a sensor without cloud round-trip). This trend lowers data costs and improves response times.
Industrial IoT (IIoT): Smart factories and Industry 4.0 use cases dominate. Sensors on machines, combined with IoT platforms, enable predictive maintenance and process optimization. Development frameworks (like Eclipse IoT, Azure IoT Edge) help builders integrate industrial protocols.
Security by Design: Security is built into IoT devices and platforms. Encryption, secure boot, and hardware root-of-trust protect devices. Over-the-air update capabilities ensure vulnerabilities can be patched in the field. With the growing number of devices (projected ~19B by 2024), strong IoT cybersecurity is non-negotiable.
Standards and Interoperability: Efforts like the OCF and Matter aim to unify IoT ecosystems. Developers increasingly use common data models (e.g. JSON/CoAP) and open APIs so that devices from different vendors can interoperate.