The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has unveiled its 2016 technology roadmap, which includes enhancements to the technology.
Planned Bluetooth enhancements are focused on increasing its Internet of Things functionality, with updates which include a longer range, higher speeds, and mesh networking.
“The host of Bluetooth advancements coming in 2016 will further energize fast-growing industries such as smart home, industrial automation, location-based services, and smart infrastructure,” said the Bluetooth SIG.
The group said the range of Bluetooth 4.0+ is set to increase up to four times, which “will transform smart home and infrastructure applications”.
There will also be a 100% increase in speed – without increasing energy consumption – which will enable faster data transfers.
It added that mesh networking will enable Bluetooth devices to connect together in networks that can cover an entire building or home, opening up home and industrial automation applications.
