The Internet of Things (IoT) is the physical devices we connect to, use and share via the internet for data collection, sharing and analysis. Interconnectivity of these physical devices to communicate with one another and/or a user is often completed with little to no input or direction from the end user.
As we move into an even more connected world through the IoT; the way we live, work and interact with one another will continue to evolve the way in which we think of our homes, cities, healthcare, transport and agriculture.
This article will introduce what the Internet of Things is as well as how it works; and give examples of how IoT smart devices enhance your daily life through their accessibility.
What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
The Internet of Things can be defined as a collection of physical devices or objects (known as “things”) that are incorporated with software, sensors, and connectivity so they can communicate their data via the internet. IoT consists of all types of devices such as household goods, wearables, industrial machinery, and public works.
Common examples of IoT devices include:
- Smart speakers (voice assistants)
- Smart thermostats
- Fitness trackers/smart watches
- Smart refrigerators
- Security cameras
- Connected vehicles
- Smart light fixtures
These devices are considered to be “smart” because they are capable of collecting data, analyzing that data, and acting on that data, often automatically.
How IoT Functions
At a high level, IoT systems function through four major components:
1. Sensors/Devices: Collect data from the environment (e.g., temperature, motion, heart rate, location).
2. Connectivity: Transmit/Receive data via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth cellular (or other) communications.
3. Data Processing: Cloud-based or Local Data Processing System: Analyze the sensor/device data being transmitted/received.
4. User Interface: Provides the user with access to the analyzed data via user experience apps, dashboards, or automatically triggered actions.
Example: A smart thermostat would collect the temperature of a room, send temperature data to a cloud-based (or local) data-processing system, and then automatically increase/decrease heating and cooling depending on pre-determined settings set up by the user.
Convenience and efficiency are made possible by smart homes
One of the more useful implementations of the IoT is within the home. With the introduction of smart homes, homeowners can now control their lighting, security systems, appliances, and climate settings all from their smartphone or voice assistant.
Energy Efficiency
Smart thermostats and lighting systems learn user behaviour and adjust energy consumption accordingly. When no one is present in a room, lights will turn off automatically, and heating systems will adjust to reflect occupancy behaviour. Thus, both will save a significant amount of electricity and money on utility bills.
Improved Security
Homeowners can monitor their homes remotely with the use of smart security cameras, doorbells, and locks. With motion detection alerts and live video, homeowners can feel safer about their home and family.
Comfort and Automation
With a voice assistant, you can control all of your devices with one command. For example, you can tell the voice assistant to dim the lights, adjust the temperature, and play your favourite songs. By enabling multiple devices to respond to a single command, you can create a more enjoyable living space.
Advances in Healthcare Outcomes through Better Monitoring and Smarter Solutions in Healthcare
The internet of things is changing how we provide care in healthcare by being able to monitor our patients in real time and customize care based upon their needs.
Wearable Devices
Wearable devices (e.g., fit bands/smart watches) that monitor a person’s heart rate, sleep cycle, blood oxygen levels, etc. Can provide insights into a person’s health and promote a better lifestyle.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Patients with chronic diseases use various medical devices connected to the internet of things (IOT) to send clinical data directly to their providers. This enables providers to detect issues earlier and reduce the number of times a patient trips to the emergency room.
Improved Hospital Efficiency
Hospitals can utilize connected devices to improve their operational efficiencies by tracking medical equipment, monitoring patient vitals, and increasing processes to improve response time. Using these connected devices can significantly reduce hospital operating costs.
The use of IOT in healthcare increases both the quality of preventative care and the effectiveness of treatments.
Transportation: Next-Gen Transport
Improved Transportation Systems and Connected Cars Implementing Safe Uses through Transportation Performace
Connected Cars (Smart Cars)
Equipped with hundreds of sensors designed to evaluate vehicle performance, driving habits and how efficiently fuel is used. Several of today’s vehicles can even remotely upgrade software or alert you to schedule service using predictive maintenance systems.
Smart Traffic Systems
Traffic systems that utilize the Internet of Things (IoT) and use sensors to monitor traffic conditions and congestion have helped eliminate some of the congestion experienced in many cities. Real-time traffic signal changes helps provide increased fuel efficiency.
Autonomous Vehicles
Self-driving vehicles have been enabled by on-board technology that relies on IoT sensors to receive real-time data and calculate an overall safe route to take. Though many companies are still in the development phase of autonomous vehicles, there is a promise for improved safety to eliminate human errors while driving a vehicle.
Smart Cities: Enhancing Urban Lifestyles
Many cities throughout the world have begun to adopt IoT technology and applying it for delivering improved public services with a primary goal to foster environmentally responsible living.
Smart Waste Management
Smart technology that leverages the Internet of Things (IoT) to enable the collection/monitoring of garbage. Smart bins, equipped with sensors that automatically communicate when full to the local waste management agency. This results in efficient routing and, therefore, saving operational costs by minimizing the amount of fuel consumed due to inefficient pick-ups.
Smart Energy Management
Smart energy monitoring via an IoT-enabled grid system to accurately monitor and adjust energy consumption to prevent outages while also creating less waste.
Smart Public Safety
Internet-connected monitoring systems and dedicated emergency response service network provide consistency with public safety and enhance coordination during an emergency.
The vision of creating Smart Cities is to create a cleaner, safer and more efficient urban environment for all.
Business Transformation and Retail
How the IoT is changing the way businesses run and serve their customers.
Managing Inventory
Retailers use smart devices to track their stock levels in real-time to minimize excess stock or out-of-stock issues.
Creating a Personalized Experience for Customers
IoT devices allow retailers to collect data regarding their customer’s preferences to provide more personalized product recommendations and allow for better-targeted marketing.
Increasing Operational efficiency
In the manufacturing industry, IoT devices can monitor equipment’s performance to be able to predict when maintenance is needed to reduce the amount of time equipment is not running and to improve productivity.
Organizations using IoT will have a competitive advantage through their ability to make data-driven decisions.
Agricultural Transformations: Precision Agriculture
Farmers are beginning to take advantage of IoT technology to increase their crop production and reduce waste.
- Monitoring soil moisture levels
- Current weather data
- More accurate planting using GPS technology
Precision agriculture technologies, such as IoT devices, enable the efficient use of water and chemicals to maximize production.
Concerns and challenges of the Internet of Things (loT)
The Internet of Things (loT) provides a number of advantages but also creates several issues.
Data Privacy and Security
There is a greater potential for cyber attacks with billions of devices that collect and store data. For example, unauthorized individuals accessing or stealing employee or customer data can compromise both companies and individuals.
Device Compatibility
Due to the lack of standardized protocols for devices connected to the loT, they do not always work together as designed.
Dependence on Internet Connectivity
The Internet of Things (loT) depends on having a stable internet connection to ensure the proper operation of the network of devices that comprise an loT system. For example, if the network goes down, then the devices that rely on that network will cease to function.
To address these problems, we need stronger security protocols, improved laws and regulations, and advancements in technology.
The Future of the Internet of Things (loT)
The Internet of Things (loT) is growing rapidly, in part due to the development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the use and implementation of 5G technology, and the use and development of cloud computing infrastructure that allows for the faster, more intelligent, and more efficient implementation of loT systems and devices.
Some examples of how these technologies will impact an loT-enabled society in the future are as follows:
- Highly advanced smart home environments
- Fully interconnected healthcare ecosystems
- Intelligent energy systems/energy grids
- Enhanced industry automation
- Increased integration of AI and loT systems/technologies
As devices become more intelligent and begin to control one another automatically or create semi-automatic functions, the line between the physical and digital world will become more blurred.
Final Thoughts
Our lives are being revolutionized by The Internet of Things (IoT) as never before; from smart home technology (such as home automation), to health care monitoring, vehicles communicating with each other and intelligent cities, IoT is creating new levels of comfort, efficiency, and safety in our lives.
Despite some challenges (such as security and privacy), there is no question that the benefits that we will see from IoT will far outweigh any negative aspects. As technology continues to advance, smart devices will take on an even larger role in shaping our world.
To fully adopt IoT is to accept a future where technology is working smoothly in the background to make our lives better and more secure than they have ever been.
