Internet has empowered the knowledge of people since its begining and now
its turn to make "things" intelligent enough to satisfy the human
prospects.
Smart Refrigerators
OK, sure, you might be saying that smart fridges already exist. That may
be true, but they also aren't really that smart, they just have a screen that
can connect to the Internet.
Imagine if your fridge could analyze what is in it, and then build you a
shopping list based on your previous food-buying habits. or even order the
groceries for delivery on its own. Or if it could sense when you're going to be
home from the GPS signal on your phone and put a frozen pizza in the oven
through a little door in the side.
In the
broadest sense, the term IoT encompasses everything connected to the internet,
but it is increasingly being used to define objects that "talk" to
each other. "Simply, the Internet of Things is made up of devices – from
simple sensors to smartphones and wearables – connected together," Matthew
Evans, the IoT programme head at techUK, told WIRED.
By combining
these connected devices with automated systems, it is possible to "gather
information, analyse it and create an action" to help someone with a particular
task, or learn from a process. In reality, this ranges from smart mirrors to
beacons in shops and beyond.
"It's
about networks, it's about devices, and it's about data," Caroline Gorski,
the head of IoT at Digital Catapult told WIRED. IoT allows devices on closed
private internet connections to communicate with others and "the Internet
of Things brings those networks together. It gives the opportunity for devices
to communicate not only within close silos but across different networking types
and creates a much more connected world."
Many of us
have dreamed of smart homes where our appliances do our bidding automatically.
The alarm sounds and the coffee pot starts brewing the moment you want to start
your day. Lights come on as you walk through the house. Some unseen computing
device responds to your voice commands to read your schedule and messages to
you while you get ready, then turns on the TV news. Your car drives you to work
via the least congested route, freeing you up to get caught up on your reading
or prep for your morning meeting while in transit.
We've read and
seen such things in science fiction for decades, but they're now either already
possible or on the brink of coming into being. And all this new tech is forming
the basis of what
The Internet
of Things (IoT), also sometimes referred to as the Internet of Everything
(IoE), consists of all the web-enabled devices that collect, send and act on
data they acquire from their surrounding environments using embedded sensors,
processors and communication hardware. These devices, often called "connected"
or "smart" devices, can sometimes talk to other related devices, a
process called machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and act on the
information they get from one another. Humans can interact with the gadgets to
set them up, give them instructions or access the data, but the devices do most
of the work on their own without human intervention. Their existence has been
made possible by all the tiny mobile components that are available these days,
as well as the always-online nature of our home and business networks.
Connected
devices also generate massive amounts of Internet traffic, including loads of
data that can be used to make the devices useful, but can also be mined for
other purposes. All this new data, and the Internet-accessible nature of the
devices, raises both privacy and security concerns.
But this
technology allows for a level of real-time information that we've never had
before. We can monitor our homes and families remotely to keep them safe.
Businesses can improve processes to increase productivity and reduce material
waste and unforeseen downtime. Sensors in city infrastructure can help reduce
road congestion and warn us when infrastructure is in danger of crumbling.
Gadgets out in the open can monitor for changing environmental conditions and
warn us of impending disasters.
These devices
are popping up everywhere, and these abilities can be used to enhance nearly
any physical object.
The time is not that far when you are
out of home and your computers at home you have to know that your medicines
have expired or that the milk is over or you need more pepper. This is not just
a fantasy but soon to be a reality due to the amazing possibilities of the
Internet of Things (IoT).
IoT is tagging our day-to-day objects
with machine-readable identification tags. Sensors may be a couple with these
tags to collect more information about the condition the everyday objects and
those present around them. The same applies to various companies wherein the
computers would keep track of the stock and resources and maintain them to
optimum levels, thus saving a lot of time and money.
Before we understand the impact IoT
can have on our way of living, it's important to go through its advantages and
disadvantages:
Advantages
Here are some advantages of IoT:
1. Data: The more the information,
the easier it is to make the right decision. Knowing what to get from the
grocery while you are out, without having to check on your own, not only saves
time but is convenient as well.
2. Tracking: The computers keep a
track both on the quality and the viability of things at home. Knowing the
expiration date of products before one consumes them improves safety and
quality of life. Also, you will never run out of anything when you need it at
the last moment.
3. Time: The amount of time saved in
monitoring and the number of trips done otherwise would be tremendous.
4. Money: The financial aspect is the
best advantage. This technology could replace humans who are in charge of
monitoring and maintaining supplies.
Disadvantages
Here are some disadvantages of IoT:
1. Compatibility: As of now, there is
no standard for tagging and monitoring with sensors. A uniform concept like the
USB or Bluetooth is required which should not be that difficult to do.
2. Complexity: There are several
opportunities for failure with complex systems. For example, both you and your
spouse may receive messages that the milk is over and both of you may end up
buying the same. That leaves you with double the quantity required. Or there is
a software bug causing the printer to order ink multiple times when it requires
a single cartridge.
3. Privacy/Security: Privacy is a big
issue with IoT. All the data must be encrypted so that data about your
financial status or how much milk you consume isn’t common knowledge at the
work place or with your friends.
4. Safety: There is a chance that the
software can be hacked and your personal information misused. The possibilities
are endless. Your prescription being changed or your account details being
hacked could put you at risk. Hence, all the safety risks become the consumer’s
responsibility.
Conclusion
Although
IoT has quite a few disadvantages, its advantages of saving the consumer time
and money can’t be ignored. So the time isn’t far when the Internet Of Things
will be commonly seen in both households and
In practical
terms, it means that we are surrounded by intelligent technology that adapts to
the needs of the users and these are five examples of how the IoT simplifies
and improves the day to day of people. Siemens experts give us 5 uses, examples
and Internet applications of things in everyday life, as well as their
advantages or disadvantages. Let's see:
1. Smart buildings
In order to
make buildings more efficient and competitive, digitization of housing plays a
key role. Here the Internet of Things comes into play, once a building has been
digitized, data and information are constantly transmitted about the operation
of all the disciplines integrated in a building: from the weather, to
protection against fires . For example, there are intelligent management
platforms that help the user to manage, directly from the mobile, the
environment of their offices according to their needs.
2. Connected cities
The Internet
of Things has one of its most visible applications on the roads of our cities.
The so-called smart cities have cooperative traffic systems that, also through
sensors, facilitate the flow of means of transport, cyclists and pedestrians.
An example? In New Castle, thanks to the equipping of its streets with sensors
and communication units, citizens can move faster and safer by reducing the
environmental impact.
3. E-mobility and
Smart Grids
E- mobility
and Smart Grids mobility is already a reality and sustainability also passes
through the Internet technology of Things. Power distributors, charging
stations and vehicle owners make the most of their "data" to manage
all the infrastructure that allows the recharging of electric vehicles. It is a
system based on cloud technology capable of providing information and services
to consumers and commercial and industrial agents involved in the production,
distribution, transportation and commercialization of energy.
4. Digital Factory
Industry 4.0
benefits from the Internet of Things taking advantage of the storage and
processing of data coming from the machines. In this way, costs and space
problems are reduced since warehouse capacity is huge and can be quickly
expanded, as well as connecting several managers at once.
5.
e-Health
In the
healthcare environment, both the IoT and the Big Data have enormous potential
that generates direct benefits for patients. The implementation of tools based
on the administration and analysis of the data, improves the diagnosis, reduces
the sanitary cost and results in a greater care control and better doctor-patient
communication.
In near future, majority of our electronic or quantum (
hopefully) devices will be connected to the Internet via unique IP address
(IPv6, since IPv4 will soon be filled up) and thus could be controlled by the
owner from any place at any time.
Developing countries such as India envisaging the flagship
projects of Smart Cities will pin their hopes to smart infrastructure combined
with the huge influx of IoT technology. As for individuals, wearable connected
devices and smart homes would be a key to a smart and sustainable future.
The IoTs will also help the governments and big enterprises
in monitoring, collecting, analyzing and then providing solutions for any
situation in a short time.
However, while constant upgradation of the technology will
mean more electronic waste, the environment issue and green development should
be kept in mind as well. Overall, the Internet Of Things has the capacity to
build a futuristic society.
