• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, August 4, 2014

According to the first Internet of Things Survey from SOASTA, 73% of Americans admit to being unfamiliar with the Internet of Things (IoT), technologies that connect “smart” devices and everyday electronic objects between themselves and the Internet to share information and drive new applications. However, when the technology is explained, 67% say they are excited about the possibilities of IoT coming to consumer technology.

SOASTA commissioned the research to find out how much American consumers know about the Internet of Things, which was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of SOASTA from May 28-30, 2014 among 2,051 adults ages 18 and older.

Only 6% of Americans say they are very familiar with IoT. When provided with examples, though, consumers said that cars, represented the most highly anticipated consumer application, followed by smart home appliances, heart monitors, and fitness devices.

Among the most well-known IoT devices is Google Glass, but only 15% of respondents said they were really excited about connected glass. That was just below drones, at 18%. The most highly anticipated applications of internet-enabled consumer technology include:

 77% of Americans think that IoT can improve any activity. 47% say IoT would help them stay healthy, and 46% say it would help them save energy, for example by reducing their carbon footprint. Other answers included:

 When Americans were asked which SciFi story most accurately reflects the promise of the next wave of technology, including IoT and cloud computing, the respondents’ overwhelming favorite was Star Trek (12%), followed by The Jetsons (9%). Other top choices included:

 SOASTA CEO, Tom Lounibos, said "… most Americans… unfamiliar with the term 'Internet of things,' but… excited by the promise of the technology… “

Consumers aren't the only ones getting excited about the IoT, says the report. The concept covers a wide range of increasingly intelligent devices and systems, from smartphones and tablets to home appliances, surveillance cameras, cars and manufacturing systems connected and exchanging massive amounts of data.

N.B. There is no standard definition for the “internet of things” (IoT). The term generally denotes an advanced level of networked connectivity between objects, platforms, systems and services that enables the exchange of data without human intervention.

For additional information, please visit SOASTA here.