What is IoT (Internet of Things) and How it Can Help Us?

Introduction

IoT (Internet of things) is an interrelated system of computing devices and digital machines that have the ability to transfer data over a network without the need for a human to human or human to computer interaction. These digital devices come with unique identifiers (UIDs).

IoT technology is evolving quite fast and several other technologies like machine learning, real-time analytics, embedded systems and commodity sensors are being incorporated into it to make it more efficient and productive.

There are so many uses of the internet of things in this modern age. It is related to the concept of internet-connected smart homes that consist of different devices and appliances like home security systems, lighting fixtures, cameras, etc.

According to research, the concept of IoT emerged in early 1982. The use of IoT was initially done at Carnegie Mellon University for the Coca Cola vending machines. It was one of the first internet-connected appliances. There are various academic venues like UbiComp, PerCom and computer of the 21st century that have shown us the vision of IoT.

Where can we see the Application of IoT?

The use of IoT can be currently seen in various aspects of our modern society. IoT plays a major role in the most important aspects of our daily life like connected health, connected vehicles, home automation, wearable technology and so on. You can find some of its applications mentioned below.

1. Smart Home

Modern technological advancement plays an important part in the process of home automation. Home automation works efficiently with the help of IoT. That includes heating, air conditioning, lighting, security systems and multimedia.

It helps in saving energy. By implementing IoT at home you can automatically control the functioning of lights and electronics like turning off the devices and lights if they are unnecessarily working.

There are some smart home device manufacturers like Apple who manufactures smart home kits that can be controlled by an application in IOS devices like iPhone and Apple watch. There are also different smart home products available like Amazon Echo, Google Home, Apple's Homepod, and Samsung's Smart things Hub.

2. It Can Help to Assist Elders

A smart home that utilizes IoT uses assistive technology to get knowledge about the owner's specific disabilities.

The users with hearing disability can be benefitted from IoT. They can wear Cochlear implants and can be assisted. The smart home that consists of smart sensors that can be beneficial to notice medical emergencies like seizures and falls.

The use of IoT can provide a higher quality of life to the users. It is also one of the most unique features of IoT; that helps elderly people or people with disabilities.

Organisational Applications of IoT

1. Vehicular Communication System (V2X Communication)

IoT works with three main application systems V2V (vehicle to vehicle communication), V2I (vehicle to infrastructure communication), and V2P (vehicle to pedestrian communication). V2X technology also acts as a driving force behind autonomous driving.

2. Helpful in Building Automation

The IoT tends to be very effective in monitoring and controlling different types of electronic and mechanical systems in buildings.

Some benefits of using IoT in buildings are mentioned below.

• It helps in connecting the internet with the building energy system to make it more energy-efficient and turn it into a smart building.

• It also helps in detecting the occupant’s behaviours to reduce energy consumption with its real-time monitoring.

• The IoT also helps in creating an effective building system that can help to understand its future applications and plan better.

3. Use in Health and Medical Sector

IoT is also known as IoMT (internet of medical things) when used in the healthcare sector. IoMT is required for medical and health-related purposes like data collection, monitoring, and analysing. IoMT is a smart healthcare system that has digitized the healthcare sector. These devices help to perform remote health monitoring and provide emergency notification systems.

The health monitoring system can also be used as a blood pressure monitor for patients and inform the doctors in case of any abnormality.

There are so many health-related electronic devices available in the market like pacemakers, advanced hearing aids and electronic wristbands like Fitbit to look after the health condition. Now with changing times there are various hospitals that are using these technologies to utilize smart beds that can detect the presence of patients and adjust settings to suit their comfort.

If the patient is trying to get up it will provide appropriate pressure to the patient without manual interaction of nurses.

Industrial Application of IoT

1. Use of IoT in the Field of Agriculture

There are a lot of benefits related to IoT in the field of agriculture. With the help of IoT, people can collect data related to temperature, rainfall, humidity, speed of the wind and pest infestation. The data collected from it helps to automate farming techniques and make proper decisions to improve the quality and quantity of the output.

It also helps in minimizing the risk and waste of resources to get benefits with fewer efforts. Now with this advanced technology, the farmer can look after the temperature of the soil and get data of fertilization programs.

2. IoT in Manufacturing

The use of IoT in manufacturing has helped to create a combination of different devices like sensing, communication, processing, and networking capabilities. It also helps in the management of equipment, assets and management of situations with the manufacturing process.

The application of IoT in the manufacturing sector has boosted the manufacturing process of new products to meet the demand. All this happens due to the help of its real-time optimization of manufacturing production and supply chain networks. The use of industrial IoT (IIoT) in the manufacturing sector has also been considered as the fourth industrial revolution.

Drawbacks of IoT

1. The Problem of Platform Fragmentation

It is one of the most common problems IoT suffers from since there is a lack of interoperability in which there is a variety of IoT devices used with variations in hardware and software.

2. The Problem of Privacy and Control

It is also one of the riskiest factors of IoT. Along with the benefits of IoT like empowering people, making government transparent and also providing easy access to information, the threat of privacy is very big. The problem of cybersecurity has become a big problem in sectors like water, energy and transport.

This risk of privacy or invasion of the public space is considered a serious crime that is taking place due to advancements in technologies.

3. The Concern of Safety

Most IoT systems are operated with the help of sensors that include Samsung's smart things, Apple's HomeKit, Amazon's Alexa. The main problem with these sensors and IoT systems are buggy apps. There are so many unforeseen activities that cause bad app interaction and that can be the reason to cause dangerous physical states.

The unsafe activities caused by these buggy apps like unlocking the entrance door of the home when no one is at home and turning on certain devices at home can be dangerous.

4. The Problem of Environmental Impact

This is also a big concern due to the use of IoT. There is an environmental impact occurring due to IoT since it uses semiconductor rich devices. These modern devices consist of a variety of heavy metals and rare earth metals that also have highly toxic synthetic chemicals in them; that can be harmful to the environment. All these metals and materials even make them difficult to recycle.

Conclusion

IoT ( internet of things) is the pathway to a better future with the help of modern technological advancements. The craze of modern technologies is spreading all over the world. They have made living conditions easier than before.

It has opened a door with lots of possibilities in front of us. Now performing any task is not as difficult as before but now you can be more relaxed and enjoy while performing that task with the help of these technological advancements.

This up-gradation can be seen in our daily lives; related to things like our car, home, stores and the appliances that we use at home. Smart homes can be beneficial for both the environment and ourselves. It helps to save energy that goes to waste sometimes due to lack of attention.

Now with the help of IoT in your home, you can save energy as it can automatically turn off the lights and appliances that are running unnecessarily. IoT looks promising and can play a major role in the future to make things better, smarter, and more efficient.