Internet Of Things (IoT)

“Whenever I hear people saying AI is going to hurt people in the future I think, yeah, technology can generally always be used for good and bad and you need to be careful about how you build it … if you’re arguing against AI then you’re arguing against safer cars that aren’t going to have accidents, and you’re arguing against being able to better diagnose people when they’re sick.” — Mark Zuckerberg

“If you invent a breakthrough in artificial intelligence, so machines can learn, that is worth 10 Microsofts.” — Bill Gates

The Internet of things (IoT) describes the network of physical objects “things” that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the Internet.

 

What is an IoT?

The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the billions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the internet, all collecting and sharing data. Thanks to the arrival of super-cheap computer chips and the ubiquity of wireless networks, it's possible to turn anything, from something as small as a pill to something as big as an aeroplane, into a part of the IoT. Connecting up all these different objects and adding sensors to them adds a level of digital intelligence to devices that would be otherwise dumb, enabling them to communicate real-time data without involving a human being. The Internet of Things is making the fabric of the world around us more smarter and more responsive, merging the digital and physical universes.

 

The internet of things, or IoT, is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.

Increasingly, organizations in a variety of industries are using IoT to operate more efficiently, better understand customers to deliver enhanced customer service, improve decision-making and increase the value of the business.

How IoT actually works…????

Just like Internet has changed the way we work & communicate with each other, by connecting us through the World Wide Web (internet), IoT also aims to take this connectivity to another level by connecting multiple devices at a time to the internet thereby facilitating man to machine and machine to machine interactions.

When talking about how does IoT work, the process begins with devices that have built-in sensors. These devices are connected to IoT platforms which stores data from all the connected devices. The important data is then used to perform tasks that fulfil the needs of people.

When we say the data is stored in the IoT platforms, it doesn’t mean that all the data is useful. Devices carefully select only particular data that is relevant to execute an action. These pieces of information can detect patterns, recommendations and problems before they occur.

 Components of IoT

 1. IoT Sensors/ Devices

The foremost component to consider in Internet of Things technology is sensor/devices. A sensor picks up all the minute details from an environment. The environment can have many complexities. What makes IoT security so great is these sensors that pick up even the most sensitive changes. These sensors are built in the devices which collects all the data to be used later. For instance, our phone is a device with built-in sensors like GPS, camera, etc.

2. Connectivity

Once the data is collected it is transferred to the cloud infrastructure (also known as IoT platforms). But to transfer the data, the devices will need a medium. That’s when connections like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, WAN, cellular networks, etc come into play. These mediums are all different and must be chosen wisely for best results.

The effectiveness IoT security highly depends on the speed and availability of these mediums.

3. Data Processing

After reaching the cloud infrastructure the data has to be analysed so that the right action can be taken. This process is however considered one of the most crucial obstacles in front of IoT app development. The analysis can be as simple as checking the temperature of the AC or a complex one such as a situation where an intruder comes in and the device has to identify it through cameras. The IoT application is made such that it can process all the data at a fast rate to take immediate actions. 

4. User Interface

The last step is when the user is notified about the action with the help of a notification or an alert sound sent to the IoT mobile apps. This way the user will know that his command has been run through the systems. 

Applications of IoT….

As the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes smarter and more advanced, we’ve started to see its usage grow across various industries and many other sectors. From retail and commerce to manufacturing, the technology continues to do some pretty amazing things in nearly every sector.

 1.Agriculture

Agriculture is an often overlooked business-case for the internet of Things because it does not really fit into the well-known categories such as health, mobility, or industrial.

However, due to the remoteness of farming operations and the large number of livestock that could be monitored the Internet of Things could revolutionize the way farmers work. But this idea has not yet reached large-scale attention. Nevertheless, one of the Internet of Things applications that should not be underestimated. Smart farming will become the important application field in the predominantly agricultural-product exporting countries.

 

2.Healthcare

One of the most crucial sectors where we offer IoT based solutions, is Healthcare. With lives at stake, IoT can help doctors, nurses and even the EMT. IoT solutions not only help regulate precise directions but also shares information in real time during a lifesaving surgery.

3.IoT Applications in Transportation

By this time, most people have heard about the progress being made with self-driving cars. But that’s just one bit of the vast potential in the field of transportation. The GPS, which, if you think of it, is another example of IoT, is being utilized to help transportation companies plot faster and more efficient routes for trucks hauling freight, thereby speeding up delivery times.There’s already significant progress made in navigation, once again alluding to a phone or car’s GPS. But city planners can also use that data to help determine traffic patterns, parking space demand, and road construction and maintenance.

4.IoT in industry i.e IIoT

The industrial internet of things (IIoT) refers to the extension and use of the internet of things (IoT) in industrial sectors and applications. With a strong focus on machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, big data, and machine learning, the IIoT enables industries and enterprises to have better efficiency and reliability in their operations. The IIoT encompasses industrial applications, including robotics, medical devices, and software-defined production processes.

 Conclusion

 

Internet of Things offers some pretty interesting applications in making our lives easier like in Healthcare, Transportation, Agriculture,Industrial and smart home. However, various factors like security, privacy and data storage also need to be considered.

It is also worth noting that things have been connected to networks for ages without the guise of “Internet of Things”.