WebRTC is coming to a device near you. The Google-made and Microsoft-backed protocol is quickly reshaping video and audio streams in the Internet of Things (IoT) with low latency and peer-to-peer (P2P) data connectivity.
As more cameras enter modern devices, from doorbells to vacuum cleaners and even ovens, vendors in search of security and reliability are turning to this connection type. WebRTC – or web real-time communication – operates atop an open standard, offering a versatile framework that supports in-browser video, voice, and data transmission without the need for additional plugins or applications. And, since protocol development is run and supported by some of the world’s biggest technology companies, WebRTC operates across all systems and browsers.
This unique feature set enables developers to craft robust communication solutions and the market is shifting as a result. A recent report predicts that the WebRTC market will grow by $66 billion in the next few years, spurred by the popularity of video and audio conferencing, the proliferation of apps, and the rise of connected devices (which now number more than 15 billion worldwide).
Let’s explore three reasons why some of the world’s biggest tech companies are embracing this standard and what it means for the future of connected devices.
#1: WebRTC Answers The Universality Question In IoT
Regarded as the first true in-browser solution to real-time communications, WebRTC is an especially popular option in the video surveillance industry. Vendors like that it can bypass intermediaries and deliver feeds directly between the client and server. Developers, meanwhile, like its universality. The open-source protocol works just as well across Chrome and Firefox as it does Windows and Mac. Additionally, the protocol can be customized for mobile applications, a great way to connect customers to their cameras via a smartphone.
It’s worth considering that cameras and video are only on the rise in this space. As highlighted in a recent article, affordable image sensors are flooding the connected device market, thereby requiring companies to efficiently and securely transmit video feeds. WebRTC is emerging as the preferred solution to make this possible.
Finally, the protocol boasts important encryption and security features. For example, WebRTC integrates with Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) to encrypt session information and facilitates P2P communication to bypass intermediary servers. Additionally, Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP) introduces an additional safeguard for data packets by effectively thwarting tampering attempts and detecting any unauthorized alterations that may occur during transit.
These elements make communication fast, secure, and reliable, holding great promise in the context of IoT. From transmitting smart doorbell video feeds to facilitating regulatory-compliant communication between healthcare providers and patients, the possibilities are endless.
#2: WebRTC Is Built By Big Tech, For Big Tech
It’s no accident this protocol is the brainchild of Google. A major facilitator of video conferencing in the form of Meet and Hangout, Google wants to encourage communication via a common set of protocols for the browser, mobile platforms, and IoT devices. Likewise, Apple, Microsoft, and Mozilla have similar goals. When developers and companies can safely provide connections in a compatible, rapid, and open-source manner, the greater the online ecosystem can grow.
WebRTC is made for direct connections between users, but it also handles real-world networking challenges. For example, it helps client applications navigate NAT gateways and firewalls. In case a direct connection doesn’t work, the protocol counts backup plans for P2P networking. For example, WebRTC uses STUN servers to find the computer’s IP address and TURN servers to act as relays if direct P2P communication doesn’t succeed.
In this sense, more than a reinvention of device communication and network operation, it’s helpful to think about WebRTC as a return to the early days of the Internet. Back before the World Wide Web, computers would communicate directly in this same manner – IP to IP. Or, taken from a modern perspective, it can be seen as a variation of edge communication. In either case, decentralization is the name of the game – allowing for the free flow of data. This is Google’s way of facilitating all of it to happen safely and quickly in-browser (of which, it’s important to note, Chrome is the world’s biggest).
#3: WebRTC Delivers Better, Faster, Stronger Device Connections
As more modern devices come with cameras, companies and users alike need reliable video streams in IoT. However, WebRTC’s potential goes beyond this. It’s a multifaceted tool that, in addition to audio and video, carries an adaptable data channel. While it’s currently dominating the realm of video surveillance, WebRTC is poised for wider application across diverse IoT scenarios by enabling P2P commands, messages, and data transfers.
For example, the protocol enables mobile-to-mobile connections, as applications on both Android and iOS can harness web interfaces. Machine-to-machine connections within IoT can also benefit from WebRTC integration, empowering smart devices with essential functionality. Further, it enables secure messaging and file sharing, eliminating the reliance on cloud storage. Packed with these features, WebRTC seamlessly integrates into diverse industries such as shared AR, smart transportation, telemedicine, smart environments, production processes, and more.
Therefore, looking ahead to 2024, WebRTC stands out as a solution that not only addresses security concerns but makes networks faster. Led by Google, the protocol’s standardization underscores its accessibility, simplifying the testing, troubleshooting, and implementation processes for developers. And, with its data versatility, WebRTC ushers in a new era of IoT connectivity over the coming decade. Better, faster, and stronger device connections await.
