The Digital Divide: Two Ways IoT Can Bridge the Gap

2022-12-17
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The Digital Divide
Illustration: © IoT For All

Opposition to new technology and consequent social division is not a recent phenomenon. The first Industrial Revolution created swathes of marginalized groups who felt their livelihood and traditional artistry were threatened by corporate entities. In England, the government was even forced to dispatch 14,000 troops to quell a riot inflamed by the infamous Luddites.

Fast-forward to 2022, and IoT-based technology is now a fundamental component of modern society. Gradually, cities are becoming more digitized, and urban dwellers have to embrace new technology to successfully maneuver in modern society. However, sections of society, including the elderly, low-income, and less educated populations are struggling to keep abreast of the new technological world. Yet, two sectors using IoT architecture are helping to close the digital divide.

'One could argue that the digital divide will significantly reduce as IoT becomes more pervasive, ubiquitous, and normalized over time. However, a digital divide will always exist.' -Neil Anthony DaruwalaClick To Tweet

IoT in Healthcare

The growth of e-health and mHealth has enabled technology to play an increasing role within the medical sector. The elderly are already benefitting from the Internet of Medical Things (IoTM). Ambient assisted living (AAL) alerts families or a support center if a monitored older person does not perform their usual routine in the home. This type of smart technology has added a sense of security, independence, and enhanced well-being for people of advanced age.

Wireless body sensor networks (WBSN) and super medical sensors (MSS) are used to monitor people’s health status. These advanced sensors attached or implanted into the body provide crucial information regarding body temperature, blood pressure, heartbeat rate, respiration rate, ECG, and oxygen saturation. They use various standards such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, RFID, NFC, and UWB for intra-communication. The massive amount of health data is stored on cloud-based platforms, such as ThingWorx, OpenIoT, Nimbits, and GENI. Telecare can also provide access to medical professionals for people with mobility problems.

In addition, using Intelligent Voice Assistants (IVA) has resulted in positive outcomes for people who may feel insecure around IoT technology. Autistic children gain essential life skills such as controlling smart homes, ordering weekly shopping, communicating with peers, and accessing information via interactions with IVAs. Although IoT technology can help people more prone to being on the wrong side of the digital divide, they will still need someone to assist them periodically as technology is not fail-proof. Hence, a support system must be in place when the technology needs maintenance and updates.

IoT in Education

Apart from the elderly, individuals with a low socio-economic status exacerbate the digital divide. They have less access to technology, especially in developing countries, and as a result, do not possess the digital skills needed to maneuver successfully in the digital world. Yet, education based on IoT systems can help bridge the divide by eradicating old education systems and introducing more creative, interactive, and fun ways to learn.

Instead of pen and paper, IoT education solutions include competitive games and audio/video animation to help increase participation and retention. IVAs can also take notes as the student reads out loud, and their spoken word is converted onto a virtual notebook. Companies are now fitting school buses with a free Wi-Fi connection for students who may need that extra time to finish and turn in homework. Students living in remote areas can now attend class remotely with platforms that allow access regardless of bandwidth capabilities. Indeed, virtual classroom apps enable students to stay connected with classmates and teachers through digital class discussions and real-time virtual class sessions.

Moreover, learning management systems (LMS) can pinpoint which students are struggling in class, track their progress with attractive and intuitive displays, and keep students on track for learning success. The IoT-based classroom has many possibilities to enhance the learning experience. Automatic Lighting and Air Control Systems benefit students as room temperatures impact academic performance. Using an RFID reader to monitor student attendance could encourage students to participate in school. Interactive blackboards using Intelligent liquid crystal display technology create a dynamic learning experience using visuals, text imagery, video, and sound. As a result, students with difficulties can engage effortlessly and become more involved in the learning process.

Reducing the Digital Divide

One could argue that the digital divide will significantly reduce as IoT becomes more pervasive, ubiquitous, and normalized over time. However, a digital divide will always exist, as technology changes and morphs quickly within small-time frames. Therefore, IoT manufacturers, governments, and policymakers must ensure IoT-based healthcare and education is available to all, irrespective of their social standing. Yet, it is also the individual’s responsibility to stay up-to-date with the latest IoT technology and be willing to learn new skills to better understand the digital world.

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  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Bluetooth
  • Connectivity
  • Consumer IoT
  • Consumer Products

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Bluetooth
  • Connectivity
  • Consumer IoT
  • Consumer Products

参考译文
数字鸿沟:物联网弥合鸿沟的两种方式
对新技术的反对以及由此产生的社会分裂并不是最近才出现的现象。第一次工业革命造就了一批边缘群体,他们感到自己的生计和传统艺术受到了企业实体的威胁。在英国,政府甚至被迫派遣14000名士兵去平息由臭名昭著的勒德分子引发的骚乱。快进到2022年,基于物联网的技术现在是现代社会的基本组成部分。渐渐地,城市变得越来越数字化,城市居民必须接受新技术才能成功地在现代社会中生存。然而,包括老年人、低收入者和受教育程度较低的人群在内的社会群体正在努力跟上新技术世界的步伐。然而,使用物联网架构的两个部门正在帮助缩小数字鸿沟。电子保健和移动保健的发展使技术在医疗部门发挥越来越大的作用。老年人已经从医疗物联网(IoTM)中受益。环境辅助生活(AAL)如果被监控的老人没有在家中进行日常活动,就会提醒家人或支持中心。这种智能技术增加了老年人的安全感、独立性,并增强了他们的幸福感。无线身体传感器网络(WBSN)和超级医疗传感器(MSS)被用于监测人们的健康状况。这些先进的传感器连接或植入身体,提供有关体温、血压、心跳频率、呼吸频率、ECG和氧饱和度的重要信息。他们使用各种标准,如蓝牙、ZigBee、RFID、NFC和UWB进行内部通信。大量的健康数据存储在基于云的平台上,如ThingWorx、OpenIoT、Nimbits和GENI。远程医疗还可以为行动不便的人提供医疗专业人员的帮助。此外,使用智能语音助手(IVA)为那些对物联网技术感到不安全的人带来了积极的结果。自闭症儿童获得了基本的生活技能,如控制智能家居,每周订购购物,与同龄人交流,并通过与IVAs的互动获取信息。尽管物联网技术可以帮助那些更容易站在数字鸿沟错误一边的人,但他们仍然需要有人定期帮助他们,因为技术并非万无一失。因此,当技术需要维护和更新时,支持系统必须到位。除了老年人之外,社会经济地位较低的人也加剧了数字鸿沟。他们获得技术的机会较少,特别是在发展中国家,因此不具备在数字世界中成功运作所需的数字技能。然而,基于物联网系统的教育可以消除旧的教育系统,并引入更有创意、互动和有趣的学习方式,从而帮助弥合鸿沟。物联网教育解决方案包括竞争性游戏和音频/视频动画,以帮助提高参与度和留存率,而不是纸和笔。IVAs还可以在学生大声朗读时做笔记,他们所说的话会被转换到虚拟笔记本上。公司现在为那些可能需要额外时间完成和交作业的学生在校车上安装了免费的Wi-Fi连接。居住在偏远地区的学生现在可以通过平台远程上课,无论带宽能力如何。事实上,虚拟教室应用程序使学生能够通过数字课堂讨论和实时虚拟课堂与同学和老师保持联系。 此外,学习管理系统(LMS)可以确定哪些学生在课堂上表现不佳,用有吸引力和直观的显示跟踪他们的进步,并让学生保持学习成功的轨道。基于物联网的课堂有很多可能性来增强学习体验。自动照明和空气控制系统使学生受益,因为室温影响学习成绩。使用RFID阅读器来监控学生出勤率可以鼓励学生参与学校。使用智能液晶显示技术的交互式黑板使用视觉、文本图像、视频和声音创建动态学习体验。因此,有困难的学生可以毫不费力地参与,并更多地参与到学习过程中。有人可能会说,随着时间的推移,物联网变得越来越普遍、无处不在和正常化,数字鸿沟将显著缩小。然而,数字鸿沟将永远存在,因为技术在短时间内迅速变化和变化。因此,物联网制造商、政府和政策制定者必须确保所有人都能获得基于物联网的医疗保健和教育,无论其社会地位如何。然而,个人也有责任跟上最新的物联网技术,并愿意学习新技能以更好地理解数字世界。
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