In today’s digital landscape, everyday physical devices, appliances, and other items capable of sending and receiving data have made our lives more connected than ever. Smart technology has improved our daily activities in so many unexpected ways, including vehicular travel. Let’s explore how IoT is impacting travelers with RVs and campers to better understand its purpose in the travel industry.
What Is the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term used for devices with technology that connect and exchange data with other devices over the internet. IoT has become increasingly popular in the consumer sector over recent years. In fact, you may have several IoT-enabled products currently in your home, and you may not even realize it!
Common examples include smart TVs, heating and cooling systems, fitness trackers, refrigerators, and more. For example, if you use your smartphone to monitor and control your home’s heating and security system, you’re experiencing IoT in action. Similarly, if you have smart appliances, the IoT allows you to control them using a voice-activated, internet-reliant command program such as Siri or Alexa.
Since IoT has so many practical applications in today’s digital landscape, it’s important to understand how it affects various sectors. If you own a camper van or RV, you’re probably traveling quite a bit or have a nomadic lifestyle. The good news is you can make your road trips as comfortable as possible by relying on a wide variety of smart devices.
Security
When you’re traveling around in your RV or camper, you may often find yourself in remote, isolated areas of the country. IoT allows vehicle owners to seamlessly connect security cameras to their smart devices. In turn, you can leave your RV or camper unattended for longer periods of time in remote locations. The ability to constantly see what’s going on around your vehicle via your smartphone offers much-needed peace of mind.
An IoT system that allows you to remotely control the lights and blinds in your RV or camper also provides flexibility throughout your day. If you decide to go on a multi-mile hike and won’t return to your vehicle before dark, you can use your phone to easily close the blinds and switch on the lights in your RV.
For enhanced security, you may choose to install alarms in your camper or RV. Since IoT allows you to access the cameras through your phone, you can be confident your property is safe while you’re away. Some RVs even feature GPS locators, so after a long day spent in the great outdoors, your phone can safely guide you back to your vehicle’s parking spot at night.
Internet Connectivity
Another way IoT is impacting travelers with RVs and campers is the ability to have a reliable internet connection. If you like to use your camper to explore areas off the beaten path, the opportunity to go off-grid may be appealing. However, in today’s fast-paced society, it’s often impossible to completely disconnect for an extended period.
Many RVs currently on the market have Wi-Fi capabilities that allow you to stay connected with various devices. If you need to do some work while you’re away, you can quickly connect your laptop and tablet. If you want to binge-watch your favorite show on a streaming service, simply connect your smart TV to your camper’s wireless internet, and you’re good to go.
The ability to stay connected via IoT devices while you’re on the road may even allow you to extend your trip. Since you can seamlessly stay in touch with work colleagues and loved ones, you don’t need to worry about missing important pieces of news. Plus, Wi-Fi-enabled RVs and campers allow you to look into new destinations and make changes to your plans while you’re on the road.
Convenience
If you primarily use your camper or RV for leisure or vacation purposes, you want to make life as convenient as possible. After all, the purpose of a vacation is to temporarily abandon your daily responsibilities and kick up your feet with a cold drink in hand. You deserve it! The good news is IoT makes it much more convenient to stay comfortable on the road.
For example, if you link your temperature control system to your smartphone, you can regulate your vehicle with the touch of a button. If you’ve been out all day enjoying the sights and sounds of a chilly destination, you can switch on the heat in your RV before you return. As mentioned above, you can also turn on the lights inside your camper as soon as the sun sets. Doing so will provide an extra layer of security and make your vehicle as inviting as possible after a long day of exploration.
As an RV owner, you know there’s a fair amount of work involved with organizing your campsite. Tasks such as setting up your outdoor awning, extending any slide-outs, and turning on your water heater can all become easier with the help of IoT applications. In other words, you won’t need to spend precious vacation time working on your setup. Instead, you can rely on interconnected technology to handle the duties on your behalf.
Maintenance
If your RV or van boasts various smart devices, you can potentially stay ahead of maintenance issues before they cause a larger problem. Instead of waiting for a light bulb to burn out or your heater to malfunction, you can receive an instant notification about an issue. When you’re on the road, the importance of receiving instant updates is impossible to overstate. After all, you don’t want to end up in a remote location on a cold winter’s night without a proper heating system.
When your devices communicate with one another and detect problems, your overall travel experience will improve. You can also prevent the development of more serious technical issues down the road. By properly maintaining the features of your RV, you can keep it in good, working order for years to come.
In addition to using smart devices to stay on top of RV maintenance, there are other important ways to protect yourself and your vehicle. Insect screens for vans are excellent tools for keeping pesky bugs from entering your RV. With a high-quality screen, you can enjoy the fresh, bug-free air of the outdoors.
The Bug Wall offers a wide variety of bug screens that you can use and enjoy all year long, so check out their great offerings today. At the end of the day, the IoT has many beneficial applications for road travelers, but you can’t forget about the essential non-connected tools such as well-made bug screens.
