Overview
By: Helen Cabero
By: Helen Cabero
Internet of Things (IoT): “Refers to a network of physical devices, vehicles, appliances, and other physical objects that are embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity, allowing them to collect and share data." (IBM Website)
IoT devices collect vast amounts of data from their environment using embedded sensors. This data can include everything from temperature and humidity to motion and energy usage.
Devices in an IoT system communicate with each other and with centralized systems via the internet. This communication is typically automated and occurs in real time.
Many IoT systems are capable of automating processes and controlling different devices without human intervention. For example, an IoT-enabled thermostat can automatically adjust heating and cooling based on real-time environmental data.
This category tracks the status of machines or IoT devices themselves, primarily focusing on predictive maintenance. Data is collected in real time to facilitate activities through a centralized platform, enhancing efficient accessibility.
With submetering, property owners can automate the monitoring of each user's utility usage in settings that support several users. In multi-tenant buildings, this information is especially useful since it makes it easier to measure shared resources like cable, gas, power, and water.
IoT sensors are equipped to measure and monitor various types of environmental data, including humidity, temperature, movement, and air quality.
The insurance sector is changing in a number of ways as a result of the Internet of Things revolution. For example, insurance firms can install water sensors and smart smoke detectors in policyholders' homes. Before serious harm is done, these gadgets can notify homes of possible fires or floods. Insurers can provide homeowners that take these precautions with reduced costs by utilizing this IoT technology. This benefits the policyholder as well as the insurer by preventing expensive claims and encouraging safer living conditions.
IoT has a huge impact in the agriculture feild, it is used to monitor and control microclimate conditions for indoor planting, which boosts production. In order to effectively control irrigation and fertilizer systems for outdoor planting, IoT-enabled devices have been often used to monitor soil moisture and nutrients in combination with meteorological data.
Wearable IoT devices, such as Apple Watches, greatly improve everyday life for the average person by emphasizing fitness and health management. Numerous important health indicators, like heart rate, amount of exercise, and even blood oxygen levels, are tracked by Apple Watches. Users can modify their exercise regimens, set reasonable health objectives based on accurate data, and obtain insights into their physical well-being thanks to this continuous monitoring. Apple Watches can also identify heart rhythm abnormalities and falls, providing a degree of security by notifying emergency contacts if needed.
GPS technology has been a cornerstone of the Internet of IoT, it plays a crucial role in transportation firms. Using GPS to optimize freight truck routing, allowing for quicker and more effective delivery schedules. GPS developments have transformed navigation systems, which are now found in cars and smartphones alike, improving the accuracy of travel routes. This GPS data is also used by city planners to prioritize road maintenance schedules, manage parking availability, and assess traffic flow. These developments show how IoT is becoming more and more important in creating safer, smarter transportation infrastructures through the usage of GPS.
With the revolutionizing of IoT in manufacturing and industrial automation it can be used to track areas of energy management and quality control. Manufacturing equipment can be installed with smart sensors to track operational effectiveness and energy consumption in real time. These sensors, for instance, can identify when a machine is working at less-than-ideal conditions or consuming more power than is necessary, enabling managers to make quick corrections. Improving the manufacturing process's overall efficiency and lowering energy expenses.
The retail industry benefits greatly from IoT technology, particularly when RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is used. Globally, RFIDs are being used extensively to enhance inventory control and customer service. For instance, companies can put RFID tags on products to follow inventory from the warehouse to the sales floor, automating stock levels and ensuring that things are always available when customers need them.