The internet of Things, in short loT, is an umbrella term for a broad range of technologies (bug data, analytics, cloud computing, IoT platform software, IoT gateways etc.), applications and use cases as they are enabled by the connection of objects and devices which are uniquely addressed via Internet Protocol (IP) address or Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and can capture, transmit and receive data, depending on their purpose. And it’s all about this data and what it allows to realize. We can say that all technologies and systems in loT scope are related with turning this data into knowledge, actions and decisions. The Internet of Things enabled a smart bridging of digital, physical and human spheres by adding these capacities in a secure way to a networked environment. There are rich variety of technologies underneath the loT umbrella and many other terms such as the Industrial Internet of Things, the Internet of Services, the Internet of Medical Things, Industry 4.0, etc. Markets with manufacturing being the leading one, Internet of Things Investments are the highest. Other systems of connected devices that have existed long before the IoT include Machine-to-machine (M2M) networks, ATMs, Point of Sales (POS) system and so on.
Uses and Advantages of IoT
The possibilities for IoT are as endless as the business requirements: predictive maintenance and operations optimization in manufacturing; asset tracking in construction, product personalization in consumer markets, logistics optimization in travel and transport, energy management in utilities, public space security, traffic management, street lighting and waste aasortment in cities; remote patient monitoring in health care, yield improvement in agriculture, fleet management and over-the-air software updates in automotive and lots more.
There are apparently a ton of expected advantages of IoT. Since some of its applications are already visible, it begins to rule out on the essential applications that people think about.
It is a Machine-to-Machine interaction, means enabling the communication between devices.
It gathers useful data that is easier to make the right decision when the machine malfunctions inside the system.
It focuses on automation and control so that physical objects does not get connected and controlled digitally with wireless support.
It spreads out information by processing proper steps of the use of every device with its configuration, and notifies the consumer in real time.
It is useful in monitoring as it provides an advantage of knowing things in advance and takes necessary action in case of disasters and emergencies.
It is efficient and saves time by providing better time response and overall device operation performance, also its fast-paced function saves a lot of valuable time.
IoT Devices Examples and Applications
There are about seven billion internet-connected devices according to data from IoT analytics. Their range is about to explode within the following years as networking consumption rises and new gadgets and machinery hit the market. IoT will also be integral to civil and industrial infrastructure. Every device communicates with different connected devices in an environment to alter home and business tasks, and to communicate usable sensor data to users, businesses and other parties. As such, the devices are often classified into three main groups:
1. Consumer Devices
Consumer connected devices include smart TVs, smart speakers, smart watches, toys, light bulbs, security cameras and kitchen appliances. All these devices are part of the smart home concept, whose purpose is to make your life easier and more efficient while saving electricity. This is the one we are most familiar with as we interact with it every day.
2. Infrastructure Devices
Smart buildings, smart traffic camera, smart parking sensors, smart thermostats, smart air conditioning, smart lighting, smart cars and smart security – IoT Infrastructure is already happening and will be at the heart of every industry. Highly populated smart cities will become more and more dependent on data and IoT Infrastructure.
3. Industrial Devices
Pump, carts, and industrial washing machines: everything that used to be off the grid is now becoming internet connected. Industrial devices also cover other things such as smart meters, smart robotics, vendor machines, smart mirrors, heavy-equipments, smart vehicles and much more.
The IoT Effect
IoT is already having an effect on how we work and on the life that we live. As the number of connected devices continues to multiple and the quantity of data collected and analyzed from them improved, IoT’s ability as a powerful charge agent strengthens too. By now IoT has created new digital platforms as well as emerging business and social models. They are being built on transformational advances that can offer both economic and environmental benefits such as:
Enabled Environments – A responsive ecosystems that are steadily very aware and connected.
Artificial Intelligence – This works in collecting and analysing of synchronized information in support of real-time predictive and actionable insight.
Shared Knowledge – Solutions that enhances access and usage on individual and group levels to drive performance and promote greater well-being.
Enhanced Efficiencies – Connected processes that save time, reduce costs and increase collaboration action in scope and impact.
Greater Functionality – Smarter and more secure efficiencies that deliver improved performance and outcomes.
Conclusion
The concept of the IoT comes from MIT Auto-ID Center that is dedicated to create the IoT using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Wireless Sensor Networks that makes the necessary objects communicate with each other under the use of the internet; also makes our life become better and more comfortable. It is somewhat a futuristic technology that interconnects everyday physical objects (things) to the virtual world and gives a digital representation, enabling their interaction with people and information systems. This shows how business processes and workflows would be enriched with real-time information and deeper visibility into the physical world. Connecting people, knowledge and things to the network will help automated processes do more for an enterprise, its suppliers, and its customers. IoT will lead to new standards and platforms such as Application Program Interfaces (APIs) and data analysis in the nearest future.
