The Internet of Things (IoT) is a web-enabled system that collects, sends and acts on data that it collects from its environments using embedded sensors, processors and communication hardware. It is often known as an Internet of Everything (IoE). These devices, also referred to as “linked” or “intelligent” devices, often communicate to other similar devices, a process called machine-to-maschine communication (M2 M), and use each other’s data. Humans may communicate with the devices to set it up, to give instructions, or to access the data, but without human intervention the devices do most of their job on their own. All the small mobile components available in these days and the ever linear structure of our home and business networks have made their presence possible.
Connected devices often generate massive amounts of internet traffic, including data loads which can be used but can be used for other purposes. All these new data and the openness of devices to the internet raise concerns for privacy and safety.
Nevertheless, this software provides a level of knowledge we have never had before in real time. To order to keep them safe, we can track our homes and families remotely. Corporations can improve production processes and reduce waste material and unwanted downtimes. Infrastructure sensors in the city can help reduce traffic congestion and can inform us about crumbling infrastructure. Open devices can monitor environmental changes and warn us of imminent disasters.
Kevin Ashton coined the phrase “Internet of Things,” perhaps in 1999 as the name of a company presentation he made at his place of employment, Proctor & Gamble. Throughout his time there, Ashton had the idea of putting an RFID tag on each lipstick and interacting with a radio receiver on the rack to monitor orders, inventory and signal when it was appropriate to restock. He states that this collection of data can be used for solving other real-world problems[ sources: Ashton, Gabbai, Simmonds].
Phones ‘ Network contains billions of connected devices. You use integrated hardware and software to send and receive data via different communication protocols. You could use our smartphones to access the Internet, connect to some other hardware in our homes that serves as a hub or connect directly through our domestic internet service. We also send data to cloud storage servers and then incorporate and analyse it. We may typically use software or plugins to view the data on our smartphone or home computers. Some can even be programmed to change your profile on different social networks.
While most of us do not yet have intelligent homes full of interacting devices, the IoT is massive. It is estimated that there are already between 15 and 25 trillion connected devices in some quantity, whereby researchers are expected to increase to between EUR 50 billion and EUR 212 billion by 2020[ sources: FTC, Intel, McLellan, OIC]. Some experts are even forecasting that around one billion connected devices will be available by 2025[ source: Wasik].
As large as this number is, it would become less impossible once you know that you could just about anything in the sensors and small computer equipment. Many of us have a smartphone, a computer that is used for most connected devices and an IoT device itself. Wearable fitness trackers are also quite popular. And in almost every device you can consider, from bathroom to refrigerators— even shoes, embedded processing, sensing and communication equipment is added. Smart thermostats, smoke alarms and security cameras will monitor your behaviour to make energy efficient, allow you to view your home remotely, alert you when something is wrong, and make contact with emergency services easier. You can buy even tiny tags for your pets and children to pick up and track anything from your car keys.
Many more connected devices are already out or will hit the market. Right now, we all have smart devices that we can communicate with individually (often via separate telephone apps), but most of them don’t work together. Nonetheless, organisations and industry groups work on creating standards and frameworks to simplify the programming of all these tools, as well as to improve safety. Apart from home, most businesses and communities are or have already implemented innovations that contribute to the Internet of Things.
Once there are more devices, even those from different fabrics, that can function with other devices, we can automate many mundane tasks. We essentially gave both computing power and senses to common physical objects. You can read from our world (including from our own bodies) and use the information to adjust its own settings, signall other apps to do so, and add it to read. Many of them perform actions based on complex algorithms and not just the simple if-then directions of the embedded computing of their own processors or cloud servers.
Devices that relate to the Internet of Things are likely to be private, household, government, business and industrial spaces in the future, and any room that is not now affected. Our Internet-connected smartphones, which have sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS and sometimes Hart rate monitors, are the smart devices that many people see and communicate with each day, but they are just the tip of the iceberg.
We have wearable devices such as fitness trackers and heart monitors in the personal field which use our phones to send and receive information. Including Apple Watch and Pebble, smartwatches do these things and many more together with our phones. Clothing sensors and microprocessors aren’t far behind (and can now be produced using Arduino and other companies ‘ sewable boards and sensors). Even pets can be added to the “stuff” list to which sensors can be attached for tracking purposes. We also already have cameras that ship photos to the internet, scales that share our social media weight and toothbrushes that track our brushed habits.
Most household appliances, including heaters, water heaters, security cameras and lamps, are able to collect information, provide remote access and communicate via the Internet when a problem occurs. Some even learn to change your habits over time, or warn you about something suspicious. Instead of a traditional key, connected garage doors and electronic door locks can let you enter your home with data from your phone. Wi-Fi furniture and ovens can be tracked, turned off or remotely shut off. A fridge that can keep track of its contents and let you know what you are about or what you might do with your current ingredients for dinner is one of the hypothetical products that people bring up. Be assured, somebody works on it.
We are in the early stages of clever cities where whole metro stations are filled with sensors and other software. Devices that collect sensor readings and relay them are suitable for items like tracking the use of utilities; staff still need metre readings from the individual houses in most places. Intelligent devices may allow for monitoring of dangerous road conditions, pollution levels and consumption of water and energy. Roads will have sensors (and in some cases) to identify possible problems such as congestion and road conditions. In the vicinity of smart cars or smartphones, traffic delays can be warned. Certain potential applications include modifying traffic lights to respond in real time, tracking waste disposal systems to find out when pickup is needed and providing information on the parking available. Scientists work on small sensors for cement and other materials to identify the physical condition of the building itself, before structural issues lead to accidents like the collapse of the bridge.
Cars are cleverer, too. GPS in cars has been a thing for years and we have usable toll tags, which automatically pay as you drive through toll stations, but we are starting to add more sensors and computer functions to vehicles. Including speed and fuel efficiency, smartcars will serve as entertainment and data centres, provide other appliances with WiFi and track driving metrics. And then, one day, there will probably be self-driving cars that allow you to drive without hands or eyes while monitoring the road and surrounding vehicles for crashes. Cars and services are already available that allow you to start or locate your car and unlock doors remotely as well as to contact emergency services and roadside assistance.
Most connected devices are currently in use in the healthcare industry and many more are under development. Doctors and other caregivers can track vital signs and movement of patients remotely and save lives and maybe allow the elderly to live independently longer. Embedded sensors can also gather important data on patients in hospital beds and clothes, and scientists work on products such as carpets that can track drops and small computing devices that can be implanted into the human body.
For manufacturing and other businesses, even more smart devices are available where unmanaged control can save a lot of time and money. GE experimented with various sensors in the battery manufacturing ceramic mixing process. The scientists examined the data to determine what they needed to be aware of the appropriate ceramic mix, which helped them to achieve even consistency and reduced defect levels in a predictable manner[ source: Wasik]. The state and quality of goods can be tracked from initial materials throughout the production process. Similar monitoring can be extended to almost any organisation. In retail, inventories can be monitored and alerts can be sent when products need to be restored. Irrigation and other needs can be tracked in farming, soil and plants, and livestock can be marked and found. Climate controls can be streamlined in office buildings to reduce energy consumption and reduce costs. The odds are infinite.
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