An IoT continuum

Currently, the burden falls on us humans to 1) sense the world around us 2) analyze that sensory data & decide how to best deal with it 3) act on that world accordingly

The Internet of Things will change that - evolving from systems that help us with #1 to eventually helping us deal with #2 & #3.

Consider a story, loosely based on reality, with progressively greater assistance provided to the handsome protagonist

1. I look out the window and see snow coming down hard. I decide to leave early for a trip to the airport. Once in the car, I engage the 4-wheel drive.
2. I get an SMS from a weather alert service notifying me of snow squalls in the area. I decide to leave early for a trip to the airport. Once in the car, I engage the 4-wheel drive.
3. I get an email recommending I leave now for my trip to the airport - given snow squalls in the area. Once in the car, I engage the 4-wheel drive.
4. I get an email recommending I leave now for my trip to the airport - given snow squalls on my typical route. As I turn the ignition key, the car auto engages the 4-wheel drive.
5. My Home Concierge recommends I leave now for my trip to the airport - given snow squalls on my preferred route. Once I confirm the change, the car turns itself on, pre-warms the cabin, and auto engages the 4-wheel drive.

If the Internet of Things can get my two teenage sons to have the driveway shoveled - I won't even get my shoes wet.