• It can serve as an early disaster detection mechanism.
• Provides environmental monitoring and victim aid.
• Identifies life-threatening hazards.
• Alerts authorities antonymously.
• Real-time data collection and analysis help authorities make prompt decisions during and after the disaster recovery period.
• No human interaction is needed in areas that are difficult or dangerous to access

With the intensity and frequency of natural disasters on the rise worldwide, many companies – especially those with global supply chains – are turning to IoT technologies to improve resilience. If you’re looking for a solution for domestic or offshore purposes, call us for a quote. We have over a decade of developing environmental monitoring solutions for diverse and at-distance clients, and we have the in-house capabilities to bring your project in on budget and on time.

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This blog post explores various aspects of IoT in disaster management, from current IoT applications and market leaders to emerging trends and compelling benefits. Naturally, no game-changing innovation comes without its challenges, and we’ll cover those too – highlighting the opportunities that might spark ideas in product innovation, especially in areas such as rugged technologies and rescue wearables.

Who are the market leaders in IoT for disaster management?

A post we published in 2022 on the unique benefits of IoT environment monitoring for natural disaster management highlighted the importance that technologies play in helping to predict, protect, respond to and recover from weather-based catastrophes.

Several companies have taken the lead in developing cutting-edge IoT solutions tailored for disaster management. Market leaders such as IBM, Cisco (e.g. NERVs: network emergency response vehicles), and Microsoft Azure have pioneered the integration of sensors, communication devices, and data analytics to create comprehensive disaster response systems. Their networking and data management expertise has positioned them as front-runners in the rapidly evolving landscape of IoT-powered disaster management solutions.

On the entrepreneurial scene, an increasing number of startups are striving to develop innovative solutions and green technologies to help reduce the harmful impact of natural disasters.

Orora Tech: Founded in 2018, this German startup developed and sent into space ‘nanosatellites’ designed for the early detection and monitoring of wildfires.

Tractable: A UK-based company that provides assessment services after a natural disaster using AI technology to evaluate damages’ monetary value accurately.

Tesselo: This Portuguese startup is still in the seed funding stages, but its disaster management solution uses AI analysis of satellite imagery to produce insights, e.g., risk analysis.

VanderSat: A Dutch company that provides satellite-based soil and water data that can be used to predict both floods and droughts. Their solutions also offer insights into the vulnerability of a region’s food and water resources.

Drone Hopper: Madrid startup that developed an aerial drone capable of delivering 600 litres of water drop from the sky to extinguish wildfires. These heavy-duty drones have state-of-the-art stability systems and patented mist jet technology to ensure the water is delivered precisely where it needs to go.

The market for IoT in disaster management can, therefore, be characterised as both growing and emerging. While established players such as IBM, Cisco, and Microsoft continue expanding their offerings and enhancing existing solutions, new entrants such as the above startups constantly innovate, contributing to the market’s emergence.

What’s the market size of disaster management IoT?

The demand for IoT applications in disaster management is rising, driven by the urgency to create more resilient and efficient response systems. The market for IoT in natural disaster response has witnessed significant growth in recent years. According to a Future Market Insights report, the natural disaster detection IoT market had an estimated market share worth US$ 600 million in 2023, and it is predicted to reach a global market valuation of US$ 18.5 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 36.3% from 2024 to 2034.

The growing frequency and intensity of natural disasters worldwide is a major factor propelling the significant and rapid growth of the disaster IoT Market: A ReliefWeb report in 2023 states that there were around 240 climate-related disasters worldwide – 30% more than in 2022. It’s estimated that at least 12,000 people lost their lives due to landslides, wildfires, and storms.

Additional factors contributing to market growth include:

• Increasing focus on preventative approaches to disaster management (e.g. early evacuation procedures).
• Governments and companies prioritising investments in IoT technologies to achieve early warning, fast reaction, and effective disaster management mitigation.
• The unique capability of IoT systems to detect disasters and enable dynamic risk modelling (e.g. systems that adapt to shifting environmental conditions).

Emerging Trends in IoT for Crisis Management

As technology evolves, so do the trends in IoT for crisis management. Edge computing, satellite technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are becoming integral components of early warning systems (EWS) that provide the first line of defence against natural disasters. Real-time data analytics and predictive modelling enable authorities to make informed decisions swiftly, improving the efficiency of resource allocation and reducing response times during critical situations.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for disaster prediction: By monitoring historical data of weather patterns and predicting what may happen, AI can foresee potential disasters. If done sufficiently ahead of time, this enables communities and businesses to take the appropriate action, whether that’s building or reinforcing their defences or moving away from the area.

Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries and invests heavily in AI-driven earthquake forecasting applications (e.g., a neural network model to predict site-specific impacts) which show promise in trials. On the other side of the world, a team of researchers at the University of Texas in Austin trained an AI system on five years of seismic recordings and asked it to locate upcoming quakes in southwestern China based on current seismic activity. The algorithm successfully forecasted 14 earthquakes, each within about 320km of its actual epicentre, 70% of which occurred before they happened.

Rugged technology solutions for disaster management: Hardware (e.g. smartwatches, body cams) specifically designed to operate in challenging environmental conditions with extreme temperatures, water, dust, etc, are known as rugged devices. As an emergency response solution during natural disasters, these devices provide responders with real-time information, situation awareness, and communication capabilities to make informed decisions, provide assistance, and coordinate their efforts.

• Rugged tablets give responders a larger screen to access critical information and run specialised applications.
• ‘Ruggedised’ headsets and communication devices enable clear and reliable communication in chaotic environments.
• Robots for disaster response can navigate through hazardous terrain, reduce the need for human intervention, enhance the safety of emergency professionals, improve response times, and ultimately save lives.

Wearable tech for disaster response: The integration of wearable devices in disaster relief efforts offers substantial real-time advantages, namely improved responder safety, health monitoring, enhanced coordination and resource allocation, personalised features, location tracking, environmental monitoring, and seamless communication. Wearables are central to the work we do, so call us for a free consultation if this is a field you would like to explore.

Drone-assisted rescue missions are emerging as crucial tools in disaster response. They can swiftly survey affected areas and provide real-time imagery and data that responders can use to assess damage, identify survivors, and plan rescue missions.

‘Smart’ construction technology and renewable energy are also being increasingly looked at for solutions to ‘build back better’ after a catastrophe. Smart construction techniques such as building information modelling (BIM), self-healing concrete, and IoT sensors installed at building sites enable predictive maintenance, improve durability and increase resistance.

In addition, by switching to renewable energy sources, rebuilt areas are less reliant on traditional power grids, which are very vulnerable to natural disasters. Lastly, countries such as Japan reduce their reliance on nuclear power and avoid further harmful impacts such as radiation leaks or hydrogen explosions.

The challenges and opportunities in using IoT for disaster management

While IoT brings many benefits, it also presents challenges in disaster management, such as interoperability issues and the need for standardisation to ensure that devices with different communication protocols can communicate seamlessly. In addition:

• In large-scale disasters, implementing and managing a massive number of IoT devices can be a complex task to handle.
• Managing, researching, and making decisions based on the vast amount of data generated by IoT devices can be overwhelming.
• Security is susceptible to cyber attacks, resulting in data loss and software malfunction.
• In the case of earthquake and tsunami prediction technologies, rapid and cost-effective techniques are needed for more accurate seismic ground motion prediction.
• The overall cost of IoT devices – especially at the scale needed – needs to be reduced. This is especially true for developing countries and regions often impacted the worst during natural disasters.

However, these challenges also create opportunities for innovation and collaboration. Overcoming these obstacles will pave the way for more robust and secure IoT solutions in disaster management.

Can IoT Provide Cost-Effective Solutions in Disaster Response?

One of the critical advantages of IoT in disaster response is its potential to offer cost-effective solutions – even if the initial setup costs are high. By optimising resource allocation, automating processes, and providing real-time data insights, IoT enables more efficient use of resources. This reduces response costs and enhances the overall effectiveness of disaster management strategies, leading to more resilient communities and an invaluable return on the investment made on IoT solutions.

IoT is shaping the future of crisis and natural disaster management

The integration of IoT in disaster management is a dynamic and evolving field with significant potential which will undoubtedly shape the future of crisis management. With technological advancements, we can expect smarter and more connected disaster response systems: improved communication, automated decision-making, and integration of emerging technologies such as AI-based earthquake prediction will play pivotal roles in creating more adaptive and efficient crisis management frameworks and more resilient communities.

If you want to play your part in ensuring a more sustainable future, get in touch with us. We can help you ideate, create, and propagate IoT solutions to do just that!