3 Unexpected Applications for Amazon Sidewalk

As we move into a more connected world powered by the Internet of Things (IoT), developers are constantly looking for new ways to improve network connectivity and enhance the user experience for consumers. With extended range and enhanced functionality, Amazon Sidewalk unlocks a world of applications for IoT and offers developers an exciting, new platform for creating innovative applications and use cases.

A growing network of developers, partners, and technology experts including industry leaders are collaborating to improve the functionality and security of IoT devices and unlock the full societal benefits of Amazon Sidewalk. For example, picture being able to check on your elderly parents from afar using smart health monitoring devices. With Amazon Sidewalk, if your neighbors have opted in, their devices can help extend the range of these devices, making it possible to monitor your loved ones from anywhere.

"With extended range and enhanced functionality, Amazon Sidewalk unlocks a world of applications for IoT and offers developers an exciting, new platform for creating innovative applications and use cases."

What is Amazon Sidewalk?

Amazon Sidewalk is a new wireless protocol designed to extend the range of low-bandwidth IoT devices and enable them to work more effectively. Based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and 900 MHz spectrum, Amazon Sidewalk is designed to create a shared network that uses your existing Wi-Fi network and the networks of nearby Sidewalk-enabled devices to provide a longer range of connectivity for your IoT devices. Amazon Sidewalk will ensure that automatic connectivity features do not go to waste and that consumers immediately get the full value of their devices.

Unexpected Applications for Amazon Sidewalk

In addition to the well-known use cases of Amazon Sidewalk based on long range and shared connectivity, there are also many underestimated, lesser-known, emerging, or unexpected applications being developed that we can expect to see in the future. While these aspects haven’t gotten as much attention as the others, they have all the same potential—perhaps even more—to grow IoT.

#1: Smart Appliances

Currently, only 50 percent or less of smart appliances ever get connected to the cloud. Automatic connectivity would significantly alleviate user experience issues with smart appliances and simplify device interaction. Consumers could simply plug in their dishwasher or laundry machine, for example, and it would connect seamlessly and securely to the network without the need for intervention with extra steps like QR codes, Wi-Fi passwords, or close phone proximity. Devices can also transcend ownership. For example, devices in a home can stay connected even during new construction or sale from one owner to the next.

With smart appliance connectivity, devices will be able to leverage more data. For example, consumers can get more information about their appliance operations to make more informed decisions about things such as energy usage. Likewise, devices could send more predictive maintenance information to manufacturers to improve product quality.

#2: Health Monitoring Possibilities

Amazon Sidewalk has the potential to significantly enhance the healthcare industry's remote monitoring capabilities, making it easier and more efficient for patients to receive care outside of traditional clinical settings. In particular, children and the elderly, who often may not have their own IoT gateway or smartphone installed or on their person, can benefit from having their medical devices connect to a ubiquitous network, without owning their own internet connectivity infrastructure.

The wide connectivity could allow low-bandwidth IoT devices to connect remotely, providing real-time data on patient vitals, medication adherence, and other health-related information. This information can be transmitted to healthcare providers, allowing them to monitor patients' health status and provide timely interventions if necessary.

#3: Seamless Cloud Integration

Additionally, intrinsic cloud connectivity is a significant Amazon Sidewalk feature, which allows devices to communicate with cloud services directly through the shared network. This means that devices can send and receive data in real time, enabling more efficient and effective remote monitoring and management.

Overall, the combination of automatic connectivity, persistent connections, and intrinsic cloud connectivity makes Amazon Sidewalk a powerful tool for extending the range and connectivity of low-bandwidth IoT devices. IoT device makers can make all these use cases more secure, easier, and cheaper to create with Amazon Sidewalk Developer Kits.

A Promising Future for IoT Industry

Amazon Sidewalk aims to revolutionize healthcare monitoring, shipping logistics, and commercial operations through data-driven solutions, while also enhancing our daily interactions with smart technology through automatic, persistent, and intrinsic cloud connectivity. Amazon Sidewalk represents a significant step forward in the world of IoT and connectivity and has the potential to create new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.