IoT devices and machines with embedded sensors
and actuators generate enormous amounts of data
and transmit itto businessintelligence and analytics
tools for humans to make decisions. These data are
used to discover and resolve business issues–—such
as changes in customer behaviors and market
conditions–—to increase customer satisfaction, and
to provide value-added services to customers. Business
analytics tools may be embedded into IoT
devices, such as wearable health monitoring sensors,
so that real-time decision making can take
place at the source of data.
The IoT and advances in business analytics now
make it possible to capture vast amounts ofindividual
health data. The IoT enables healthcare service
providers to personalize patient care. New IoT technologies
provide data about a patient’s everyday
behaviors and health, creating opportunitiesfor care
providers to influence patients far more frequently
and effectively. For example, Humana’s Healthsense
eNeighbor1 remote monitoring system reports
changes in the member’s normal patterns of movement
and activity to Humana care managers–—via inhome
sensors that measure routine daily activities
with data analytics–—to help triggerinterventions and
help prevent adverse eventsfrom escalating to emergency
room visits or hospital stays.
IoT-based big data are also transforming the
healthcare product industry. For example, Proctor
& Gamble developed the Oral-B Pro 5000 interactive
electric toothbrush to provide users with a smarter,more personalized oral care routine. The interactive
electric toothbrush records brushing habits with mobile
technology while giving mouth-care tips alongside
news headlines. This innovation provides users
with unprecedented control over their oral care.
Tests of the interactive electric toothbrush have
shown that when connected, brushing time increases
from less than 60 seconds with a manual toothbrush
to 2 minutes and 16 seconds with an electric toothbrush,surpassing
the 2-minute session recommended
by dental professionals.