The term Internet of Things refers to an interrelated network of devices and people. These include various mechanical and digital objects, people, and animals. They can be used to transfer data without requiring human interaction.
In the Internet of Things, various devices can be connected to the network, such as a person’s heart monitor, a farm animal’s biochip transponder, and an automobile’s sensors. These can notify the driver when the tire pressure is low.
Due to the increasing number of devices and people connected to the Internet, various industries are starting to realize the benefits of the IoT. These include improving customer service, increasing their business’s value, and reducing operational costs.
How does IoT work?
The IoT ecosystem is comprised of web-enabled devices, such as sensors, processors, and communication hardware, designed to collect and act on data from their surroundings. These devices can then be connected to an edge device, sending data to the cloud.
Sometimes, the devices interact with other devices and collect information about them. They do so without requiring human intervention. Usually, people can interact with these devices to set them up or access their data.
The various protocols and connectivity methods used by web-enabled devices mainly depend on the applications they are connected to. In addition, machine learning and artificial intelligence can help improve the efficiency of the data-gathering process.
Why is IoT Important?
The rise of the Internet of Things has become one of the most significant technological advancements of the 21st century. Connecting embedded devices allows people, processes, and objects to communicate seamlessly.
The various factors that affect the development and implementation of IoT include:
- The cost of computing.
- The availability of cloud storage.
- The use of mobile and analytics.
These allow physical devices to collect and share data without requiring human intervention. In a hyperconnected world, systems can monitor and adjust the interactions between different objects.
Why Share Data?
There has been a debate about the potential of IoT to collect and use excessive data. However, it is important to note that each device has a specific purpose and can collect and share data.
In addition to improving the efficiency of manufacturing processes, smart sensors can also help companies cut down on waste. According to a study, over 35% of US companies use smart sensors in their production lines.