The efficient distribution of wireless networks, supercomputer chips, big data scientists, and the continuous demand for smart productivity brought us the Internet of Things. it’s possible to turn anything, from something as small as a pill to something as big as an airplane, into a part of the IoT.
The Internet of Things or IoT born to make machines and devices smarter and works with the brain and to reduce human labor to almost nil, in contrast, to deliver efficient and precise productivity on the minimum inputs of resources. Smart devices or “Connected devices ” as they are commonly called, are designed in such a way that they capture and utilize every bit of data that you share or use in everyday life. And these devices will use this data to interact with you on a daily basis and complete tasks.
What is the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things refers to the billions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the internet, all collecting and sharing data. Thanks to the arrival of super-cheap computer chips and the ubiquity of wireless networks, it’s possible to turn anything, from something as small as a pill to something as big as an airplane, into a part of the IoT. Connecting up all these different objects and adding sensors to them adds a level of digital intelligence to devices that would be otherwise dumb, enabling them to communicate real-time data without involving a human being. The Internet of Things is making the fabric of the world around us smarter and more responsive, merging the digital and physical universes.
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History of the Internet of Things
IoT is a relatively recent innovation, but the concept can be traced back to the early 80s. The idea of adding sensors and intelligence to basic objects was discussed throughout the 1980s and 1990s (and there are arguably some much earlier ancestors), but apart from some early projects — including an internet-connected vending machine — progress was slow simply because the technology wasn’t ready. Chips were too big and bulky and there was no way for objects to communicate effectively.
In 1982, computer science grad students at the Carnegie Melon University had connected a Coca Cola vending machine to the internet. The programmers coded an application that would check the availability and temperature of the drink.
Kevin Ashton coined the phrase ‘Internet of Things’ in 1999, although it took at least another decade for the technology to catch up with the vision.
Processors that were cheap and power-frugal enough to be all but disposable were needed before it finally became cost-effective to connect up billions of devices. The adoption of RFID tags — low-power chips that can communicate wirelessly — solved some of this issue, along with the increasing availability of broadband internet and cellular and wireless networking. The adoption of IPv6 — which, among other things, should provide enough IP addresses for every device the world (or indeed this galaxy) is ever likely to need — was also a necessary step for the IoT to scale.
Adding RFID tags to expensive pieces of equipment to help track their location was one of the first IoT applications. But since then, the cost of adding sensors and an internet connection to objects has continued to fall, and experts predict that this basic functionality could one day cost as little as 10 cents, making it possible to connect nearly everything to the internet.
The IoT was initially most interesting to business and manufacturing, where its application is sometimes known as machine-to-machine (M2M), but the emphasis is now on filling our homes and offices with smart devices, transforming it into something that’s relevant to almost everyone. Early suggestions for internet-connected devices included ‘blogjects’ (objects that blog and record data about themselves to the internet), ubiquitous computing (or ‘ubicomp’), invisible computing, and pervasive computing. However, it was the Internet of Things and IoT that stuck.
Examples of the applications of the IoT
Over the next few years, the application of the technology increased and IoT was being used in wireless communication, embedded systems, and micro-electromechanical systems. IoT can be considered as a giant network of connected devices. The internet-connected devices collect data and share them with each other.
Over the next few years, the application of the technology increased and IoT was being used in wireless communication, embedded systems, and micro-electromechanical systems.
Here are the 15 best examples of IoT-based applications in today’s world.
1. Smart Homes
With IoT creating the buzz, ‘Smart Home’ is the most searched IoT associated feature on Google. But, what is a Smart Home?
Wouldn’t you love if you could switch on the air conditioning before reaching home or switch off lights even after you have left home? Or unlock the doors to friends for temporary access even when you are not at home. Don’t be surprised with IoT taking shape companies are building products to make your life simpler and convenient.
Smart Home has become the revolutionary ladder of success in the residential spaces and it is predicted Smart homes will become as common as a smartphone.
The cost of owning a house is the biggest expense in a homeowner’s life. Smart Home products are promised to save time, energy and money. With Smart home companies like Nest, Ecobee, Ring and August, to name a few, will become household brands and are planning to deliver a never seen experience.
Here’s a brief video that shows you a smart home from the future and how your life will be simplified. Learn how to setup your home wifi network.
2. Smart IoT Sensors
IoT sensors consist of manual or digital sensors connected to circuit boards such as Arduino Uno or Raspberry Pi 2. The circuit boards can be programmed to measure a range of data collected from a sensor device such as carbon monoxide, temperature, humidity, pressure, vibration, and motion.
What differentiates IoT sensors from simple sensors is that they can not only gather data at different physical environments but also send data to the connected devices.
The IoT sensors allow seamless control of data through automation delivering actionable insights. They can be used by businesses for predictive maintenance, enhanced efficiency, and reduced costs.
3. Connected Cars With the Internet of Things
The automotive digital technology has focused on optimizing the vehicles internal functions. But now, this attention is growing towards enhancing the in-car experience.
A connected car is a vehicle which is able to optimize it’s own operation, maintenance as well as the comfort of passengers using onboard sensors and internet connectivity.
Most large auto makers, as well as some brave startups are working on connected car solutions. Major brands like Tesla, BMW, Apple, Google are working on bringing the next revolution in automobiles.
Watch the video to experience the future of connected cars.
4. Internet of Things with Smart Wearables
Wearable devices are installed with sensors and software which collect data and information about the users. This data is later pre-processed to extract essential insights about the user.
These devices broadly cover fitness, health and entertainment requirements. The pre-requisite from the internet of things technology for wearable applications is to be highly energy-efficient or ultra-low power and small sized.
Here are some top examples of wearable IoT devices that fulfill these requirements.
5. IoT Connected Production Line
Businesses can also use IoT connected factory solutions such as Azure IoT for the management of industrial IoT devices. The connected cloud software can be populated with different resources that allow control of a range of devices.
The connected factory solution can report key metrics data including equipment efficiency and telemetry data. The data can be gathered of assets located at different geographical locations. You can use the connected factory solution for connecting, monitoring, and the control of remote industrial devices.
6. IoT Data Analytics
Businesses are increasingly using IoT data analytics to determine trends and patterns by analyzing big and small data. IoT data analytics apps can analyze structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data to extract meaningful insights.
IoT can be applied to data analytics to investigate different types of data including motion data sets, geographical data, and health care data. It can be used by businesses for predictive and descriptive analysis to improve customer knowledge, enhance operational efficiency, and create business value.
7. Smart Barcode Readers
IoT barcode readers can help in better inventory management for retailers. The readers support AI-based digital signal processing. These devices can optimize the operations of many sectors including retail, logistics, warehouse, and much more.
IoT based bar card readers feature cloud data connections to connect with other systems. Using the connected bar code reader will ease the process of managing inventory.
IoT barcode readers can be incorporated into shopping carts. The readers use AI-based sensor to detect products as they are dropped or removed from the cart. The reader can transfer data to the computer automatically, and that can save a lot of time in checkout resulting in an improved experience for the customers.
8. Internet of Things in Smart Retail
The potential of IoT in the retail sector is enormous. IoT provides an opportunity to retailers to connect with the customers to enhance the in-store experience.
Smartphones will be the way for retailers to remain connected with their consumers even out of store. Interacting through Smartphones and using Beacon technology can help retailers serve their consumers better. They can also track the consumers path through a store and improve store layout and place premium products in high traffic areas.
Watch this video to find out how connected retail will make your life easier.
9. Smart Supply Chain Management
Supply chain managers can make improved predictions through smart routing and rerouting algorithms. Smart IoT devices connected to packages can provide instant after-the-incident facts via GPS and RFID signals that can help to make informed supply chain decisions.
IoT applications can help in mitigating uncertainty risks in supply chain management. Supply chain managers can make use of smart supply chain management programs for minimizing variance, reducing costs, and improving profitability.
The programs can help in inventory management, vendor relationship, fleet management, and scheduled maintenance.
10. Internet of Things Connected HealthCare System
IoT has numerous applications in the healthcare industry. The technology can be used to provide high-quality medical services using smart medical devices.
Also called the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), the technology can help in monitoring and supporting vital data which can help in making clinical decisions. With IoT medical devices, medical services can be made more accessible by the populace.
IoT medical devices can help in real-time monitoring of patients remotely. The devices can report an emergency like an asthma attack, heart failure, etc., immediately to a physician. This can help in potentially saving the lives of many individuals.
IoT devices can collect health care data including blood pressure, sugar levels, oxygen, and weight. Data is stored online and can be accessed anytime by a physician. IoT automates the workflow by allowing the provision of effective health care services to the patients.
11. Smart Grids With The Internet of Things
The smart grid is another industrial application of IoT. The grid allows real-time monitoring of data regarding the supply and demand of electricity. It involves the application of the computers intelligence for the efficient management of resources.
Utility companies can use IoT smart grid technologies for more efficient outage management. They can use the technology to identify load distribution and improve reliability. The technology can also assist in fault detection and repairs.
With the smart grid, utilities can interconnect all their assets including meters and substations. Applying IoT technologies to the grid ecosystem allows utility companies to exercise greater control over the power infrastructure and resources. Moreover, they allow consumers with better quality access to energy. See the video here as under:
12. IoT Tracking and Monitoring System
A lot of businesses are using IoT systems for asset tracking. IoT asset tracking devices use GPS or radio frequency (RF) to track and monitor properties. The smart devices can be used for long-range identification and verification of assets.
You would get real-time visibility of the locations of your mobile and fixed business assets. The instant notifications inform you when assets arrive at delivery destinations, or monitor valuable machinery to ensure your equipment stays on-site with real-time IoT asset monitoring.
13. Internet of Things in Agriculture
Farmers can use smart IoT farming applications for optimizing a lot of different activities such as determining the best time to harvest plants, creating fertilizer profiles based on the chemistry of soil, and sensing soil nutrients and moisture levels.
IoT technologies can help in precise farming which can result in optimized production. That market of agriculture IoT device installation will likely grow at the rate of 20 percent reaching 75 million by 2020, according to a BI Intelligence report.
Some examples of farming IoT devices include smart equipment. These smart devices can detect weather conditions and other environmental data. The concept of smart farming can revolutionize the agriculture industry. Applications of IoT technologies can help to boost both the quality and quantity of agriculture production.
14. IoT in Poultry and Farming
Livestock monitoring is about animal husbandry and cost-saving. Using IoT applications to gather data about the health and well being of the cattle, ranchers knowing early about the sick animal can pull out and help prevent a large number of sick cattle.
With the help of the collected data and ranchers can increase the poultry production. Watch this interesting video.
Conclusion:
There are many more areas where IoT is making an impact. Networked Toys is one application of IoT which will change the playing experience of your kids. IoT can also be used in the detection of environmental issues. The future of IoT is more fascinating than this where billions of things will be talking to each other and human intervention will become least. IoT will bring macro shift in the way we live and work.
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