In recent years, Chicago has begun making a name for itself as a hub for new “internet of things” (IoT) technologies. One after another, new IoT technologies continue to emerge from the Windy City, and because of this, we can honestly say that this is an exciting time to be alive.
From cooking and fitness to driving and parking, IoT has found its place in our daily lives, and it would seem IoT tech is here to stay. Fortunately, the changes these technologies have made are pretty incredible and very positive, making it easy to accept such an enormous shift in the way we do things.
Want to learn more about the newest IoT innovations being developed in Chicago? Below are three of our favorites.
#1: Jiobit
By now, everyone has seen a Fitbit or Apple Watch. These wearable technologies are far from new, and as useful as they are, they are no longer something to get too excited about. That said, the Jiobit is a new wearable technology that might just pique your interest, especially if you are a parent of caregiver to a young child.
This small, lightweight, wearable device can clip onto a child’s clothing or backpack and accurate track him or her wherever they wander. It will send alerts to your smartphone, updating you on your child’s location, and will even set off an audible alarm when your child walks too far away in a public place.
The battery life on this tracker is incredible, as it can last up to a week on a full charge. Additionally, the Jiobit is compatible with Amazon’s Alexa assistant via devices such as the Amazon Echo.
#2: Tovala
Okay, so we all like to eat a delicious, home-cooked meal at the end of a long day. Unfortunately, actually cooking that meal is not something most people want to do after working for several hours.
Therefore, most people end up ordering take out or heating something up in the microwave. This is unfortunate because there are so many incredible meals they could be enjoying. Fortunately, Tovala is about to make its debut and take weeknight dinners to the next level.
Tovala is a smart oven that makes cooking amazing meals as easy as can be. The oven will scan the codes located on the Tovala-brand packaged meals and proceed to bake, steam, and/or broil the meal to perfection. Don’t have a Tovala meal on hand? No worries! The Tovala app includes plenty of DIY recipes that work perfectly with the Tovala oven. On top of all that, the oven also works with meals you create, meaning you can put directions for cooking your favorite meals into the Tovala app and ensure they are cooked just right, every single time.
#3: ParqEx Access+
If you have ever used ParqEx, you know how helpful this parking-sharing program can be. That said, it can be a bit difficult for those who are trying to rent parking in a garage. In the past, these cases would require the parking space owner to leave the garage door unlocked for when their customer arrived, something that made a lot of people uncomfortable for obvious reasons. Fortunately, we have fixed this problem with a nifty little feature called ParqEx Access+.
ParqEx Access+ allows approved renters to open garage doors with their smartphones. This means no more unsecure garages. Customers can get in and out of their rental space without a problem, and space owners no longer have to worry about safety and security, making this a win-win technology for all.
Want to learn more about how ParqEx is using the Internet of Things to improve lives? We’d love to hear from you. Please contact us today!