Of all emerging applications of the Internet of Things (IoT), we're most excited about smart grid technology and its potential to increase cost and energy efficiency, according to a PCMag survey.
In the survey of 2,000 US consumers conducted on May 10, 24 percent of respondents selected smart grids as the most exciting emerging IoT application. Health-monitoring wearables came in second with 22 percent of the vote, followed by connected and driverless cars (18 percent), personalized lighting and home appliances (16 percent), and digital shopping assistants (13 percent). Seven percent of respondents said "other" emerging IoT excites them more.
There were some differences in opinion about the most exciting emerging IoT application among different age groups. Eighteen- to 24-year-olds and 25- to 34-year-olds listed smart grids as their top priority, while 35- to 44-year-olds said they are more excited about health-monitoring wearables.
Despite the excitement about these applications, the survey also indicated that most US consumers distrust the IoT. Sixty-six percent responded "no" to the question "Do you think the IoT is safe?" Just 28 percent indicated they think it's safe, and 6 percent were undecided.
As far as risks, survey respondents are most concerned about these applications invading their privacy. When asked to cite the biggest risk or challenge of IoT, 32 percent said privacy and 25 percent said cybersecurity threats trump all other concerns. Other primary concerns were varied: hidden costs and subscription fees (14 percent), software bugs in consumer goods like connected refrigerators (10 percent), health impacts like radiation (8 percent), and a shorter device lifespan (7 percent).