What is IoT?
IoT, or the Internet of Things, refers to the network of physical devices embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies that enable them to connect to the internet and exchange data. These devices range from smart home gadgets like thermostats and refrigerators to industrial machinery and healthcare equipment. IoT aims to make devices smarter by allowing them to gather and share data, analyze it, and take automated actions, improving efficiency, productivity, and convenience.
Internet of things (IoT) describes devices with sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communication networks. The Internet of things encompasses electronics, communication, and computer science engineering. "Internet of things" has been considered a misnomer because devices do not need to be connected to the public internet; they only need to be connected to a network and be individually addressable.
The field has evolved due to the convergence of multiple technologies, including ubiquitous computing, commodity sensors, and increasingly powerful embedded systems, as well as machine learning. Older fields of embedded systems, wireless sensor networks, control systems, automation (including home and building automation), independently and collectively enable the Internet of things. In the consumer market, IoT technology is most synonymous with "smart home" products, including devices and appliances (lighting fixtures, thermostats, home security systems, cameras, and other home appliances) that support one or more common ecosystems and can be controlled via devices associated with that ecosystem, such as smartphones and smart speakers. IoT is also used in healthcare systems.
There are a number of concerns about the risks in the growth of IoT technologies and products, especially in the areas of privacy and security, and consequently there have been industry and government moves to address these concerns, including the development of international and local standards, guidelines, and regulatory frameworks. Because of their interconnected nature, IoT devices are vulnerable to security breaches and privacy concerns. At the same time, the way these devices communicate wirelessly creates regulatory ambiguities, complicating jurisdictional boundaries of the data transfer.
History of IOT
Around 1972, for its remote site use, Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory developed a computer controlled vending machine, adapted from a machine rented from Canteen Vending, which sold for cash or, though a computer terminal (Teletype Model 33 KSR), on credit. Products included, at least, beer, yogurt, and milk. It was called the Prancing Pony, after the name of the room, named after an inn in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, as each room at Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory was named after a place in Middle Earth. A successor version still operates in the Computer Science Department at Stanford, with both hardware and software having been updated.
In 1982, an early concept of a network connected smart device was built as an Internet interface for sensors installed in the Carnegie Mellon University Computer Science Department's departmental Coca-Cola vending machine, supplied by graduate student volunteers, provided a temperature model and an inventory status, inspired by the computer controlled vending machine in the Prancing Pony room at Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. First accessible only on the CMU campus, it became the first ARPANET-connected appliance,
Mark Weiser's 1991 paper on ubiquitous computing, "The Computer of the 21st Century", as well as academic venues such as UbiComp and PerCom produced the contemporary vision of the IoT. In 1994, Reza Raji described the concept in IEEE Spectrum as "[moving] small packets of data to a large set of nodes, so as to integrate and automate everything from home appliances to entire factories". Between 1993 and 1997, several companies proposed solutions like Microsoft's at Work or Novell's NEST. The field gained momentum when Bill Joy envisioned device-to-device communication as a part of his "Six Webs" framework, presented at the World Economic Forum at Davos in 1999.
The concept of the "Internet of things" and the term itself, first appeared in a speech by Peter T. Lewis, to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 15th Annual Legislative Weekend in Washington, D.C., published in September 1985. According to Lewis, "The Internet of Things, or IoT, is the integration of people, processes and technology with connectable devices and sensors to enable remote monitoring, status, manipulation and evaluation of trends of such devices."
The term "Internet of things" was coined independently by Kevin Ashton of Procter & Gamble, later of MIT's Auto-ID Center, in 1999, though he prefers the phrase "Internet for things". At that point, he viewed radio-frequency identification (RFID) as essential to the Internet of things, which would allow computers to manage all individual things. The main theme of the Internet of things is to embed short-range mobile transceivers in various gadgets and daily necessities to enable new forms of communication between people and things, and between things themselves.
In 2004 Cornelius "Pete" Peterson, CEO of NetSilicon, predicted that, "The next era of information technology will be dominated by [IoT] devices, and networked devices will ultimately gain in popularity and significance to the extent that they will far exceed the number of networked computers and workstations." Peterson believed that medical devices and industrial controls would become dominant applications of the technology.
Defining the Internet of things as "simply the point in time when more 'things or objects' were connected to the Internet than people", Cisco Systems estimated that the IoT was "born" between 2008 and 2009, with the things/people ratio growing from 0.08 in 2003 to 1.84 in 2010.
IoT Business Feature Ideas That Can Revolutionize Industries
1. Smart Supply Chain Management
- Description: Use IoT sensors in logistics and warehouses to track inventory levels, monitor product conditions (temperature, humidity), and optimize delivery routes in real-time.
- Revolutionary Impact: Reduces waste, enhances product quality (especially for perishables), and cuts transportation costs.
2. Predictive Maintenance for Machines
- Description: Equip industrial machines with IoT sensors to monitor wear and tear. Use AI-driven analytics to predict when maintenance is needed before a breakdown occurs.
- Revolutionary Impact: Minimizes downtime, reduces repair costs, and extends equipment lifespan, especially in manufacturing and automotive industries.
3. Personalized Smart Healthcare
- Description: Develop wearable IoT devices that continuously monitor vital signs (heart rate, glucose levels, oxygen levels) and send data to healthcare providers for proactive care.
- Revolutionary Impact: Enables early diagnosis, remote patient monitoring, and reduces hospital visits, making healthcare more accessible and efficient.
4. Smart Energy Grids
- Description: IoT-enabled smart meters and sensors in power grids to monitor energy consumption, detect faults, and optimize energy distribution in real-time.
- Revolutionary Impact: Reduces energy wastage, supports renewable energy integration, and helps customers save money on utility bills.
5. Intelligent Retail Experiences
- Description: Use IoT sensors in stores for automatic inventory management, smart shelves, and personalized promotions based on customer behavior and preferences.
- Revolutionary Impact: Enhances customer experience, improves stock accuracy, and boosts sales through tailored recommendations.
6. Autonomous Farming Solutions
- Description: IoT devices to monitor soil conditions, weather patterns, and crop health while automating irrigation and fertilization processes.
- Revolutionary Impact: Increases agricultural yield, reduces resource usage (water, fertilizers), and ensures sustainable farming practices.
7. Smart Urban Mobility
- Description: IoT-integrated traffic management systems and smart parking solutions that guide drivers to available parking spots and optimize traffic flow.
- Revolutionary Impact: Reduces congestion, saves fuel, and enhances urban living conditions.
8. Connected Smart Homes
- Description: IoT-enabled devices like smart thermostats, lights, and security systems that can be controlled remotely or programmed to operate autonomously.
- Revolutionary Impact: Enhances comfort, security, and energy efficiency for homeowners.
9. Real-Time Environmental Monitoring
- Description: Deploy IoT sensors to monitor air quality, water levels, and pollution in real-time to provide actionable insights to governments and organizations.
- Revolutionary Impact: Helps in disaster prevention, urban planning, and improving environmental sustainability.
10. IoT in Personalized Marketing
- Description: Use IoT data from wearables or smart devices to deliver hyper-personalized ads and recommendations to users based on their habits and preferences.
- Revolutionary Impact: Increases marketing ROI and enhances customer satisfaction by making campaigns more relevant.
11. IoT-Enabled Remote Workspaces
- Description: Smart office equipment like IoT-enabled desks, air conditioning systems, and meeting room occupancy trackers to optimize remote and hybrid work environments.
- Revolutionary Impact: Boosts productivity, reduces energy costs, and improves employee well-being.
12. Drone Delivery and Surveillance
- Description: Integrate IoT into drones for real-time monitoring, efficient delivery, and surveillance in industries like e-commerce, agriculture, and construction.
- Revolutionary Impact: Speeds up deliveries, ensures safety, and reduces operational costs.