Eleanor Hecks, Managing Editor of Designerly Magazine walks us through what ambient IoT is, and the significance of energy harvesting devices
Ambient IoT devices will reshape our connected world. Recent market forecasts suggest shipments of these self-powered modules and sensors will reach 1.1 billion units by 2030. That’s a tidal wave of smart endpoints capable of monitoring assets, infrastructure and environments — without ever requiring a battery change.
What is ambient IoT?
Ambient IoT describes networks of ultra-low power sensors and actuators that extract electricity from their environment — rather than relying on rechargeable or disposable batteries.
While energy harvesting wristwatches running on body heat have been around for some time, ambient IoT extends this principle to urban and industrial deployments. Sensors can be embedded in transport networks, buildings and agricultural fields to deliver continuous data streams with minimal upkeep.
Why energy harvesting matters
Harvesting energy alters how IoT systems are engineered, deployed and maintained. Removing the need for battery replacements turns large-scale sensor networks into maintenance-free structures. In scenarios involving hundreds or vibration or humidity nodes, this shift can reduce operating costs by tens of thousands of pounds over a device’s lifetime.
Energy harvesting also delivers direct cost reductions across the board. Organisations under pressure to trim expenditure value how ambient IoT eliminates battery purchases and technician call-outs. This is especially significant given that over 97 million Americans report unmanageable debt levels and 1.4 million UK adults are behind on at least one bill. Over time, savings compound through zero battery replacements, reduced labour charges and fewer hazardous-waste disposal costs.
Beyond economics, energy harvesting opens new design possibilities. Sensors can be hidden inside rotating machines, attached to aging systems without changing their structure or even buried in the soil. This freedom unlocks high-value utility across various industries.
The shift to ambient IoT also aligns with environmental targets, specifically the UK’s net-zero goals. Harvesting energy means sensors can eliminate the need to use diesel generators at remote locations and reduce the demand for grid power.
Overcoming challenges
A few hurdles exist even as energy harvesting tech improves. Understanding and addressing these will help ensure reliable deployments:
- Security: small processors can’t handle heavy encryption, so engineers use cryptographic methods to protect data without draining the tiny energy reserves
- Limited power: harvested energy is modest. Devices must spend much of their time in low-power mode, waking only briefly to take measurements and send data
- Standards and compatibility: with multiple connection options — like Bluetooth Low Energy, NB-IoT, LoRaWAN — choosing widely adopted protocols prevents vendor lock-in and ensures different gadgets work together seamlessly
- Environmental factors: changes in real-world conditions — shifting temperatures or shadows over solar panels — can reduce a harvester’s output. To manage this, perform thorough field tests and continuously monitor the outcomes to spot issues early and fine-tune as needed
The outlook for energy harvesting and ambient IoT
Over time, new management platforms will take care of everything from setup to end-of-life for ambient IoT devices. These will keep an eye on how much power each harvester produces, provide dashboards for teams to easily pinpoint issues and push firmware updates designed for low-energy sensors.
At the same time, the data gathered will become just as valuable as the sensor readings. By applying AI tools to harvested energy trends, organisations can predict when a device might struggle or fail long before it happens.
Local authorities striving to meet emissions targets will find ambient IoT a natural fit. In smart-city deployments — waste-management sensors, air-quality monitors or street light controls — the ability to install equipment without mains cabling slashes upfront carbon and operational emissions. In rural settings — where mains power isn’t always available — energy harvesting offers a low-impact way to gather environmental data without disturbing the landscape.
In short, energy harvesting isn’t a niche feature anymore but a key that unlocks large, maintenance-free IoT networks in places once out of reach. As these multiply, companies will gain deeper insights at a lower cost — all while reducing their carbon footprint. The era of truly autonomous IoT has come — and it’s powered by the energy around us.
Eleanor Hecks is the Managing Editor at Designerly Magazine, where she’s passionate about covering IoT news and insights for businesses. She’s also a mobile app designer with a focus on UI.
There’s plenty of other editorial on our sister site, Electronic Specifier! Or you can always join in the conversation by commenting below or visiting our LinkedIn page.
