Internet of Things fair kicks off in Barcelona

The IoT Solutions Congress, one of the leading annual meetings for stakeholders in the Internet of Things industry, kicked off in Barcelona on Tuesday.

Running until Thursday at the Fira de Barcelona convention center, the event features 340 exhibitors from all around the world, with a strong European presence, as well as 14,000 visitors. The number of businesses attending the fair has grown from last year, when 240 companies were features as exhibitors.

The Internet of Things (often abbreviated as IoT) is a state of the art concept which refers to seemingly ordinary devices connecting to each other and the internet in order to gather and exchange data and ultimately improve user experience and come up with new solutions to their needs.

Roger Bou, the director of the congress, told ACN that the IoT "is already a reality," as this is the first year when exhibitors and panelists include not only IT companies, but also businesses from traditional sectors such as the construction or industrial washing.  

The fourth edition of the IoT Solutions Congress includes products such as a smart fire engine, shoe insoles with "memory" that are tailor-made within two hours, as well as buoys to monitor water and air.