We live in the ever-changing world of technology. The Internet of Things is the proof of technical advancement of our times. Nowadays everyone is already familiar with the internet connection that connects us with each other. For us, the Internet of Things or IoT is the next technical step into the future.
What is the Internet of Things?
The system that connects digitally equipped ‘things’ or devices to assist sharing of collected data is Internet of Things or IoT.
The ‘thing’ can be any smart device around us. What makes these devices smart is the ability to observe, gather and share data with each other via internet connection. The familiar example for us is a smartphone that we carry with ourselves everywhere. It can record our voices, take pictures and even trace the route we take to our work. Ranging from our search history to our music preferences, it knows everything.
So, our reactions in real time and the behavioural patterns are observed by our smartphones. Similarly, wearable health trackers that can monitor our health or automated garage door that can be controlled from distance are all examples of IoT.
How does IoT work?
IoT enables the devices in our daily lives to communicate with each other with minimum human interference. The tools like smartphones and wearable health trackers first store and then share the information that they gather from their surroundings. The process of data transmission takes place in the following steps:
- Every smart device is digitally equipped with unique identifiers (UIDs). The UIDs make it possible to interact with digital devices;
- Sensors, processors and necessary hardware help these devices observe and gather the data from the surrounding;
- The smart devices are connected to an IoT platform;
- Once the data is stored, it is shared with the help of internet connectivity;
- The data is integrated with the software which analyses it for detailed understanding;
- The analysed data is transmitted to users and can be accessed through websites and apps;
- Moreover, the integrated data is also made available to other smart devices to provide enhanced services;
- Other devices can use this data to learn and take actions based on the updated information.
So, basically, our smart devices talk about us with each other.
The goal here is to create a functional and superfast chain of events to make our lives easier.
What is the impact of IoT on our lives?
IoT is the digital fabric that has merged our culture with network of the ‘things’ to enhance the user experience.
The presence of IoT can be felt in all walks of our lives. We will start with its effect on personal level:
Smart Homes
The smart homes that can be remotely controlled by a mobile app or a website is like a melodious symphony of IoT. With just one click, it is possible to manage a smart thermostat, a motion sensor, alarm system, a smart fridge or a smart washing machine. Not to forget, smart speakers like Google Home that play music and also help set timers. All these devices are connected to each other. They share information to make smart homes homely and comfortable.
Smart Classrooms
IoT is not just limited to our personal lives. In the field of education, the digital ‘things’ have started to make appearance as well. Let’s take an example of smart boards in classrooms. They make learning fun and encourage interactive sessions in a class. Teachers can easily give relevant real life examples by streaming videos available online.
Smart Hospitals
Nowadays IoT can play a vital role in the health sector as well. It reduces errors by optimising the data flow of patient care. The tools like sleep monitors and air quality sensors are the results of IoT. There are also apps to remind a patient to refill medication as per a prescription. Today virtual surgeries are possible because of incredible IoT advancement.
Smart Cities
Smart cities all over the world are using IoT to control and manage traffic lights and parking. Study of crime patterns and statistics and waste management is not plausible without IoT. It helps us cut the cost and also run a city in the most effective manner.
Smart Businesses and Industries
The combination of sensors and wireless networks is used to gather information about a product’s performance. In this way, future problems and defects can be predicted by the companies to avoid any serious damage. The Internet of Things speeds up the process of production and strengthens the supply chain.
No wonder the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is called the fourth industrial revolution. Both, the increased workforce productivity and cost saving became possible only due to IIoT.
From our smartphones to devices connecting huge industrial markets, IoT touches every walk of life. Soon we won’t be able to imagine our lives without the comfort of connectivity.
So, the question is where did this expedition start? To answer this question, we need to know its history.
History of IoT
The first internet appliance, that resembled IoT, was a Coke machine at Carnegie Mellon University in the early 1980s. The programmers could check the status of the machine using the web to know the temperature of the drinks. Who would have thought that this idea could one day revolutionise our world?
It was in 1999 that the co-founder of the Auto-ID Centre at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Kevin Ashton first called his presentation “Internet of Things.” In the same year, MIT Professor Neil Gershenfeld’s book, ‘When Things Start to Think’ discussed the potential of this concept without using the exact word IoT. Nonetheless, it mentioned where IoT was headed in future.
IoT has evolved from M2M communication that refers to interconnected machines that use network without human interaction. It not only included the process of managing a device but also the ways of collecting the data.
The immediate predecessor of IoT was not M2M. It was actually Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA). The late-generation SCADA system developed into first-generation IoT systems. SCADA could be controlled from remote locations to gather data in real time. It was a category of software application programs for process control that could process and present data in a timely manner. IoT became its next step by connecting billions of digital devices with each other to share data in the most effective way.
Around 2010, the concept of IoT ecosystem became tangible by continuous development in the field.
What are the benefits of IoT?
Some of the benefits of IoT are:
- Fast paced and effective communication between several devices;
- It provides freedom to access information at any time and any place;
- Minimum or next to nothing human interaction is required;
- Optimisation of our resources is possible with IoT;
- It’s application reduces errors and hence, saves time;
Are there any threats related to IoT?
Although there are several benefits of IoT, there are some issues which we can’t ignore, such as,
- Security is one of the major issues with IoT. With the increasing number of digitally connected devices, chances of potential hacking is also rising;
- In case of hacking, the entire system collapses as everything is interconnected;
- The data recorded and shared by these devices is of sensitive nature which, if leaked, can be misused;
- In near future, there will be a massive increase in the number of digitally connected devices;
- We need an internal standard of compatibility for IoT. Right now the absence of such international standard, it is difficult for devices from different manufacturers to connect with each other.
There are ways to overcome these problems. For example, it is already predicted by experts that IT networks that we will soon have to adopt new IoT policies to handle security breaches. So, with careful study and thorough research, it is possible to manage these issues in the future.
What does the future look like for IoT?
Widespread wireless connectivity, cheaper technology and huge amount of storage will result in a massive increase in the digital ‘things’ that can join IoT. These devices will gather and share more and more data via connection. In 2012, the ‘Digital Universe’ was estimated to double every two years to reach 40 zettabytes (ZB) by 2020. The number was later revised to 44ZB (44 trillion gigabytes).
In order to utilise the immense amount of data gathered by IoT, business analysts and data scientists will be required. Business analysts to frame the appropriate questions to get the best result from the available data and data scientists to develop different analytical tools to understand given data.
Considering the impact IoT has in different fields right now, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that soon our reality is going to change. Yes, there are certain security issues with IoT that needed to be dealt with. However, the pace of the ever-changing technical scenario is all the assurance we need for a better future. Maybe the future that we have always imagined is already at our doorstep. What lies ahead will certainly change our lives forever. Click here
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