Is IoT a thing in Ireland?

IoT has become one of the most important technologies of the 21st century. We can use connected devices and the technology that facilitates communication between devices and the cloud, as well as between the devices themselves.

Using low-cost computing, the cloud, big data, analytics, and mobile technologies, physical things can share and collect data with minimal human intervention. Digital systems can record, monitor, and adjust each interaction between connected things.

IoT and Its Global Reach

The number of connected IoT devices is expected to grow by 13% by the end of 2024. According to the State of IoT Summer 2024 report from IoT Analytics, there were 16.6 billion connected IoT devices at the end of 2023, a 15% increase from 2022. IoT Analytics predicts this number will rise to 18.8 billion by the end of 2024.

This projection is lower than in 2023 because of enterprises' cautious spending. Regardless of economic factors, 51% of enterprise IoT adopters intend to boost their IoT budgets in 2024, with 22% of organizations anticipating an increase of over 10% compared to 2023.

Here are some of the leading IoT software companies in 2023, according to IoT Analytics:

• Microsoft - A leader in IoT software with solutions like Azure IoT Hub, Defender for IoT, and Azure RTOS, holding 9% of the market share.

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) - Known for AWS IoT Core and AWS IoT Greengrass, AWS is a global leader in cloud-based IoT services.

• Siemens - Invests in IoT through its Siemens Xcelerator portfolio and Industrial Edge offering, focusing on industrial IoT applications.

• IBM - Despite retiring its Watson IoT platform, IBM remains influential in enterprise IoT solutions.

• Cisco - Offers IoT solutions like the Cisco Edge Intelligence platform and security products, solidifying its long-standing presence in IoT.

Ireland’s Current IoT Landscape

• Global Presence: Ireland hosts 16 of the top 20 global technology companies, including IoT leaders Intel, IBM, and Cisco.

• IoT Market Growth: The IoT market in Ireland is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.8% from 2021 to 2026.

• Salary Insights: IoT professionals in Ireland earn between €45,000 and €85,000 annually, depending on experience and specialization.

• Research Funding: Science Foundation Ireland allocates €200 million annually to ICT research, including IoT projects.

• Government Support: Ireland's National Digital Strategy prioritizes investment in IoT and related technologies.

The Internet of Things (IoT) market in Ireland is expected to earn $3.76 billion in 2024. The Automotive IoT sector will lead, with a projected $0.99 billion in revenue this year. The market is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 9.58%, reaching $5.94 billion by 2029. Globally, the United States is set to generate the most revenue in IoT, totaling $342.50 billion in 2024, according to Statista. 

Use of Smart Technology in Ireland

In 2022, in a survey provided by CSO Ireland, internet users were asked about using innovative technology or IoT (Internet of Things) in their private lives. This covers internet-connected devices and systems in their homes (domotics), wearable devices, e-health solutions, or cars with built-in wireless connections.

Over half (51%) of internet users who had gone online in the past three months reported using domotics, including internet-connected home devices and systems. Among these, 79% utilized smart home entertainment solutions such as internet-connected TVs and game consoles, while 56% used other connected devices like wearables and Wi-Fi-enabled cars. Only 35% of users engaged with home systems and other internet-connected devices, reflecting diverse usage patterns across device types.

Householders in the South East region have a higher proportion of internet-connected devices, with 65% of internet users compared to 29% in the Border region. However, despite being the lowest among all regions, the Border region shows a 70% take-up of smart home entertainment solutions. Dublin and the South East report the highest usage of these devices, at 83%.

IoT Technology Gateways in Ireland

In Ireland, several prominent research institutions and universities focus on IoT technology and its applications:

Nimbus Research Centre (Cork Institute of Technology) specializes in IoT and cyber-physical systems. It leads research in areas like smart cities, energy, water, and assisted living and collaborates with a wide range of industries to develop IoT solutions for practical, real-world applications​.

IMaR Technology Gateway (Munster Technological University) specializes in integrating IoT technologies with mechatronics and automation systems. The IMaR center works on projects across multiple industries, including automotive, telecommunications, and agri-tech, offering applied IoT solutions through collaborations with large and small companies​.

WiSAR (Wireless Solutions), located at Letterkenny Institute of Technology, specializes in wireless communications and IoT solutions. WiSAR works on projects that bridge the gap between research and practical applications, creating solutions in areas such as smart cities, smart homes, and telecommunication.

COMAND (Connected Media), housed at Athlone Institute of Technology, combines media and IoT technologies. This center focuses on developing smart media solutions, including video processing, interactive media, and sensor-based systems​.

MSTG (Mobile Services) at Waterford Institute of Technology is dedicated to advancing mobile services enabled by IoT. They focus on solutions for sectors like healthcare, environmental monitoring, and mobile-enabled intelligent systems​.

IoT Offices in Dublin focus on urban solutions and bring IoT into the context of smart cities. The center integrates technologies to improve urban living, including smart transport, energy management, and environmental monitoring​.

Companies Leading IoT Innovation in Ireland

Accenture

Accenture, a global consultancy, opened a new research and incubation hub, The Dock, in 2017. This multidisciplinary center focuses on artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). 

Accenture is hiring professionals skilled in IoT technologies, as well as in artificial intelligence and advanced analytics. Opportunities are available across various industries, including financial services, retail, consumer goods, life sciences, and utilities.

The 300 new jobs covered a variety of technology and design roles and added to Accenture’s workforce of more than 2,200 in Ireland. This includes 100 new roles at The Dock, the company’s multidisciplinary research and incubation hub.

“Our talented professionals across Ireland are imagining the future every day to solve some of the biggest challenges facing businesses, governments and consumers,” said Pierre Nanterme, Accenture’s chairman and CEO.

AMBER

The Advanced Materials and Bio-Engineering Research (AMBER) center at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) won a €4.4 million Horizon 2020 research contract for the TRANSPIRE project, led by Prof. Plamen Stamenov. The idea is to make new types of magnetic materials for electronics that can transfer data links at least 100 times faster than current standards, which will speed up IoT data transfer.

Analog Devices

For the past 40 years, Analog Devices has been developing semiconductors, particularly on the Internet of Things (IoT) sector, in Ireland, employing 1,200 people. Twenty percent of the company’s patents are filed by employees based in Ireland. In November of last year, Analog Devices acquired solid-state laser beam steering technology from Vescent Photonics, which will be utilized in future autonomous vehicles.

“Our Limerick global operation manufacturing facility enables ADI’s overall success by providing leading-edge capabilities and technologies to our business units,” said Denis Doyle, general manager of ADI Global Manufacturing.

ArtOfUs

ArtOfUs is a software company with a pioneering human operating system platform that places people at the center of the IoT ecosystem. Based in London, the company has recently opened a new office at The Digital Hub in Dublin. This expansion has created 18 jobs and expanded its presence within Ireland's IoT community. 

“We are hiring talent with immediate effect in AI, neural networks, OpenCV, audio and cloud-based software platform analytics”, said ArtofUs CEO Leonard Donnelly.

Ireland’s Tech Infrastructure and Connectivity

Internet of Things (IoT) usage is growing faster and now represents the largest growth factor in Ireland's mobile market.

“According to the latest Global Cellular IoT Devices market report, the IoT devices segment had a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2 per cent between 2019 and 2022. The market was valued at US$18.73 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $44.2 billion in 2029.”

The IoT market in Ireland grew at 28.1% from 2019 to 2022 and decreased to 27.7% in 2023. In contrast, the broader Irish mobile market, including voice, broadband, and IoT, grew at an annual rate of 9% over the same period.

Key use cases for IoT include:

• Retail: IoT-connected sensors optimize air quality by monitoring CO2 levels and adjusting HVAC systems, potentially reducing energy consumption by up to 40%.

• Transport: Applications include in-car entertainment, diagnostics, and fleet management. IoT solutions provide a real-time track of vehicle location, speed, distance, and fuel consumption to enhance performance and efficiency.

The Irish mobile telecommunications have developed a nationwide low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) to maximize IoT device coverage, lower costs, and reduce power consumption to support these advancements. Other networks support narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and long-term evolution mobile.

As a final point

If you are looking for Internet of Things (IoT) development service providers in Ireland, explore our list of top IoT firms that deliver rapid and accurate data transfer and collection solutions. At TechBehemoths, we have various companies that offer affordable IoT solutions to help you optimize your business decisions. Submit your project details, and we will assist you in finding a suitable company that aligns with your requirements.