Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow
We’ve written about the 5 weirdest IoT devices on the market, and now we’re shifting our attention to how IoT devices and applications can make the next festival you attend the talk of the town.
The Internet of Things (IoT) describes products that are embedded with sensors that connect and exchange data with other systems over the Internet. These smart devices monitor data and can help users prevent or solve problem right as (or even before) they happen.
And although the potential use cases for IoT applications is only limited to the imagination of the dreamer, one space where IoT will thrive is at festivals.
- Wearable Technology
- Crowd-Sourced Sensor Data
- Seamless Musical Experience
- Smart Lots
- Artist Reminders
Smart wearable technology, like RFID bracelets, can enhance the festival experience by providing efficient entry control, reducing wait times, and supporting cashless payments. Instead of fumbling with your phone (and hoping the signal is good enough to pull up your ticket), you can simply scan your bracelet as you walk in and get to the front of the stage faster. And by simply tapping your bracelet onto a payment terminal, you can make purchases at the “flick of a wrist” and have receipts sent directly to your registered email. This means no more desperate searches for an ATM and no more lost wallets or payment cards.
We’ve all been there – uncomfortably squeezed into an area with too many people in too small of a space. With IoT devices, predicting the popularity of a specific location using crowd-sourced and passive sensor data can help organizers better control the inflow and outflow of festival-goers. Using location-based geofencing techniques, organizers can direct attendees to less crowded areas where food stands have faster turn times, beverage tents have more products, and restroom lines are shorter, so attendees can get back to the action sooner.
When it comes to live music, there are thousands of moving parts that need to work seamlessly together to create a memorable experience. From the lights and speakers to the props and augmented reality effects, any one failure can derail an otherwise fantastic show. But now, with reliable connectivity and IoT, organizers can establish failure benchmarks with IoT devices tracking and transmitting data in real time. With access to real-time data, organizers can make necessary changes to avoid technological failures that may have otherwise brought the show to a complete stop.
Parking at many festivals is messy, inefficient, expensive, and frustrating. With the advent of “smart lots,” organizers can show festival-goers which lots have available parking, exit avenues from those lots, and optimized routes to avoid heavy traffic to and from the event via digital signage. Smart lots help mitigate the “messiness” of parking and help attendees start their experience off on the right foot.
If you’re attending a music festival with multiple artists, imagine being able to set an “artist reminder” so you’re able to enjoy more of the food, drink, and activities away from the stage. Simply select the artist you want to see, and you’ll receive a reminder 20 minutes before they perform, with location tracking that shows you how to get there. This will ensure that despite how much fun you’re having, you’ll still catch all the performances you want to see (and avoid being stuck in the back)!
It’ll Be Better Than Before
With more festivals and concerts planned for 2022, organizers have opportunities to improve the attendee experience like never before. What is currently clunky and outdated can receive the “kiss of modernity” through connectivity and real-time data. From the very first touch point in the parking lot to ending the evening on a high note, IoT applications make the best festivals even better.
