Trend 1: Growing IoT Popularity Drives Industry Development
The report highlights edge computing as a key trend in IoT development. With the rapid increase in IoT devices, edge computing offers significant advantages by enabling data processing and analysis at the device level. This reduces latency and bandwidth requirements, enhances response speed, and improves data security. The rise of edge computing will drive smarter IoT devices, fostering innovation and expanding applications in the industry.
As shown in Figure 1, global Google searches for "IoT" have steadily increased since 2015, peaking in late 2022 and early 2023. This rising interest reflects sustained societal attention to IoT technologies and applications, boosting awareness and understanding. As IoT adoption grows, applications will diversify, unlocking market potential and accelerating the maturity of the industry.
Trend 2: Accelerated Adoption of IoT in Smart Manufacturing
The integration of AI and IoT is driving innovation in smart manufacturing. AI algorithms enable intelligent sensing, automated decision-making, and smart control in IoT devices. As global manufacturing moves toward digital transformation, IoT plays a vital role. By the end of 2023, China has built 62 "Lighthouse Factories," accounting for 40% of the global total, alongside 421 national-level smart factories and thousands of digital workshops. IoT adoption in manufacturing is expanding, enhancing automation, big data analytics, and AI-driven applications like predictive maintenance and process optimization.
Trend 3: IoT Innovations Revolutionizing Agriculture
China’s rural revitalization strategy and digital village initiatives are fueling IoT adoption in agriculture. IoT technologies support rural industry, ecological protection, governance, and community living, advancing smart farming and rural modernization. These innovations align with national goals to achieve significant progress in rural revitalization by 2035 and full rural development by 2050.
Trend 4: Satellite IoT Expands Connectivity
Advances in satellite manufacturing and launch technologies, such as reusable rockets and modular satellites, have significantly reduced costs. High-throughput satellites now offer capacities hundreds of times greater than traditional ones, with speeds comparable to 4G networks. Technologies like Starlink’s mass production and mobile-to-satellite communication are bridging terrestrial and satellite networks. In 2023, China Mobile achieved breakthroughs in 5G IoT NTN satellite connectivity, accelerating the integration of satellite internet into mainstream use and enhancing global connectivity.