Forget Silicon Roundabout; Bristol is fast gaining a reputation as the UK’s most technologically smart urban environment, a place that is trying to understand how the cities of the future can exploit the vast realms of data they will collect when even the most humdrum devices, from electricity meters to car number plate recognition systems, are wired together in what is commonly referred to as “the internet of things.”
What can an electricity meter possibly have to say that would interest a number plate recognition system?
"Ere, Brian's gone down the shops and left the radio on in the kitchen again."
"That's roight, I can see 'im now pulling into Waitrose car park. What of it?"
"Carn't we send 'im a tex or summat? Tell 'im to be more careful with 'iz lectric?"
"That's all you bleddy talk about you know, lectric this an lectric that. Mind yer own bizniss."
"You're the one spyin' on everyone all bleddy day, checking where theys drivin too an that."
"D'you know, I'm startin to wish they'd never even plugged me into you in the first place."
"Hang about, someone just turned on the kettle. I spose Brian's missus must be in as well."
"False alarm then? Always is with you lot."
"No, it's definitely not the alarm, I already told ee it's the radio."
"Bleddy 'ell, now there's a shocker!"
"Power surge? Narsty those are."
"No look, it's a 1976 Scirocco and the bugger's still runnnin! Never thort I'd see the day!"