An employee presses his thumb on the biometric machine at the door and walks right through the office door. Imagine not having to worry about the condition of your house when on a long vacation as you have all the functionalities on your fingertips. A jogger typing to shed some calories can know about the calories lost on the run. Internet of Things (IoT) has spread its roots into the daily lives and we are now habitual to the convenience it facilitates.
Cracking the basics of IoT
What is IoT
In the broadest sense, Internet of Things means everything connected to the internet. In simple terms, IoT refers to millions of physical devices that are connected to the internet, collecting and sharing data. They depend on wireless networks and processors.
How does it work?
Sensors and devices collect data from their environment and feed it into a system. It could be as simple as temperature reading or as complex as a video feed. A smartphone has is equipped with a number of sensors for GPS, accelerometer, retina scanner, fingerprint unlock and much more. Cloud is another example that has given impetus to technology and IoT. Data is sent, stored and accesses on cloud through Wi-Fi, satellite or Bluetooth. IoT is made possible by machine-to-machine communication. It transmits data from one device to another and generates massive amounts of internet traffic.
Before the emergence of IoT
Intelligence based gadgets were discussed throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Then RFID tags came along. These tags are low-power chips that communicated wirelessly. Internet access became increasingly available broadband service and cellular wireless network eventually gave rise to Internet of Things. The IPv6 was introduced later to allot a unique IP address to each device for easy communication. As the internet was made more and more accessible, the phrase “Internet of Things” was coined by Kevin Ashton. He referred to it as “interconnectedness of human culture with the interconnectedness of our digital information system.”
The Hard-hitting Impact
Equipment in the vast industrial sector are becoming more digitized, optimizing exchange of information which has enabled faster business expansion.
Following are the main areas that have been impacted by the incorporation of IoT:
- Manufacturing
Enhanced automation and data collection have optimized workflow and manufacturing processes. IoT devices are programmed to work in unison to cover all the aspects that produce finished goods and quality services. IoT has contributed towards manufacturing equipment for quality control, margins, enhancement and cost reduction.
- Agriculture
Farming and agriculture have reaped significant benefits of IoT. In developed countries, internet sensors around the farm will help farmers and farmers to minimize loss and maximize the quality of livestock by tracking crops and livestock, measuring data on farm-resources, and scanning the land by sending out drones. IoT benefitting agriculture has not yet reached rural counterparts of several countries.
- Energy
IoT enabled efficient calculation of energy consumption by providing smart meters with granular recording. This is useful to bill the customer accurately. As technology began to become more cost-effective with the arrival of IoT, major disruptions were caused in the markets due to growing connectivity. With the help of IoT, it became easier to monitor and maintain sustainable energy options such as solar panels and green energy devices.
- Transportation
Transportation has been revolutionized because of the Internet of Things. Fuss-free transition and fleet management are the ruling factors of this industry. It became convenient for the drivers to pick the passengers once the location has been set. Tracking the location of the vehicle keeps the passenger informed about the amount of time it will take for the vehicle to reach. All data is tracked and sent to the passenger eradicating major challenges. An inventory of rides is available on the passenger’s and the driver’s fingertips.
- Healthcare
IoT has started to change the fabric of healthcare delivery. Remote monitoring has changed the ballgame for the medical industry. Machines that can transmit signals from home to the hospital have been invented to save time and resources and alert the services in case of emergencies. Other than that, wearables like FitBits and smart watches track data and produce credible results based on that unique data.
IoT’s linear progress over a period and its rapid impact on different sectors have caused major disruptions in manufacturing industries. Technological innovations of IoT has brought about radical changes in lifestyles of the public. It is therefore safe to say that IoT is an ever-evolving aspect that is here to stay. Its utility in all walks of life offers business opportunities along with innovation.