Internet of Things, or IoT is about enabling the connection of everyday objects with the Internet. This allows appliances such as television, AC, refrigerator, microwave, lamps, and fans to interact. Industry experts have termed it as the next big thing in the world of technological evolution.
Amazon Echo, Google Home, and digital watches are examples of all IoT-enabled devices and have become an integral part of our lives. These IoT devices generate and process sensory, biotelemetry, and a variety of other kinds of data. They’re soon expected to branch out to smarter washing machines or refrigerators.
What is IoT?
IoT, at the concept level, is an idea to integrate smart devices and the Internet. It is a connected network of people and devices that can gather information about its surroundings and communicate via the Internet. These devices are capable of processing information through Machine Learning (ML) to act on data collected by sensors using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
How does IoT work?
Everyday electrical items are built with sensors embedded in them. The items can range from wearable health monitors to driver-less vehicles, smart home security appliances, biometric cybersecurity scanners, autonomous farming equipment, smart factory equipment, wireless inventory trackers, and more.
The IoT integrated systems can detect patterns, shortcomings, and problems, and make recommendations. For the device to accomplish all these, it must have the following four parts:
1. Sensors
The sensors collect data and share it with the integrated systems via the Internet.
2. Data Collection
The data collected is sent to the cloud through a data center via a feasible connection.
3. Data Processing
The IoT integrates information from the data center. It can either communicate to the user through an app or website and send commands to initiate the desired action based on the response. Or it can directly take action based on preset commands.
4. User Interface
While automation is of the foundations of an IoT device, there are some decisions that the overseeing human must make. It can be checking the footage of the IoT security camera or change the temperature of the thermostat, for instance.
Benefits of IoT
1. Automation
IoT has the potential to offer smart living where you can monitor and control numerous appliances without being physically present. From home appliances to office works, self-drive vehicles to flights, it can transform everything into something that can be managed irrespective of the distance.
Apart from homes, industrial IoT can usher a revolution in the way manufacturing and inventory are managed. From cost reductions to improved productivity and efficiency and bringing mobility and agility to enhanced business opportunities, the usability of IoT is boundless.
2. Personalization
IoT has increased the scope for personalization since you can adjust the services as per your requirement. Such devices are also ‘smart’ enough to learn from interactions. As they continue to interact more and analyze the data, they would be able to make accurate suggestions to the user.
3. Increased Revenue
With automation, any business’ expense will considerably reduce, while increasing efficiency.
Drawbacks of IoT
There will always be a risk regarding anything related to the Internet. Like every other emerging technology, IoT has its shortcomings.
1. Security
While IoT’s effectiveness is based on Internet connectivity, data collection, and automation; they are also its biggest drawback. You and your devices are always at risk of being attacked by a hacker. A person sitting in a remote corner of the world may possibly get into your system and change your pacemaker settings or disable your security system.
2. Lack of standardization
Even as the demand for IoT devices keeps growing steadily, there is no standard to hold companies accountable and eliminate unsecured devices. The burden is on manufacturers to increase their liability to make more secure IoT devices.
The future of IoT
IoT is making rapid progress and its reach has expanded to schools, hospitals, households, factories, and vehicles. The presence of these smart devices in your lives will continue to grow. One thing is for sure that there is no stopping these devices. This development will primarily be driven by high-speed mobile networks and the need for easy access. How the industry works around the drawbacks or if they find a way around them is something the future will unravel.
