Although IoT (Internet of Things) has been around for many years, with some evidence of it is as early as 1832. It would have been unheard of by anyone other than high-level technology folk until recent years. Since then, innovation has shifted even further, moving beyond traditional connected devices to pretty much anything with a power supply.
The clear meaning of IoT is that objects will have the ability to become brilliant and sharp allowing transfer of data with the support of network without involving human to human or human to computer interaction.
Below are the areas which tell about its usefulness and gives you more insights on IoT:
Connect
Smartphone has now become a very important device in everyone’s life. A smartphone with internet connectivity gives the individual the power to acquire any information he or she wants. Accurate details regarding the production details of a particular product like how, when, where and with what material the product is made these details can be acquired in a matter of short time. Interaction with the world has now become easier with the presence of IoT. This type of interaction will help every individual to gain and learn more new ideas and also help in improving the connectivity about the things we face in our daily life.
Search
One of the greatest benefits of IoT I would say is the power to locate anything. Back in the old days when something or someone is lost, it was difficult to locate, now digital life has changed in a rapid manner where smartphones which were used for vocal conversations are now used mostly for digital input data. A simple example in this aspect of IoT are tracking devices used on school buses or heavy vehicle fleet management. The power to know everything has now become available for everyone.
Let’s have a look at the digital transformation that happened
IoT Past
Speaking about IoT in the past, the best example I would like to quote is the universal remote used for operating DVD players. I know it might not be a great example for describing IoT. But if we could think about it for a second, the remote acts as a smartphone which can control other electronic devices. The only problem was that it was not of a great satisfaction for the customers, because the universal remote had a lot of buttons which made the users confused. It was confusing to operate a device with too many buttons. Creating a product which is meant to control other devices should be easy and simple to use. In the past, many IoT devices came into market with less success. It’s mainly because it was hard to understand how to use it.
Other examples of IoT which I feel should be mentioned are Smart fridge and Online Security Systems (wall mounted security keypad). Smart fridge was a huge success from the beginning because it was easy to learn and understand the method of usage. The main reason for the success of this technology was it has a display screen where data could be entered and received. Security keypad is similar to Smart fridge where the data is being entered and stored for a long time, this technology has expanded in all working and household sectors and even now this technology is still being used.
Smart Fridge – Launched by LG in the year 2011
IoT Present
IoT technology is now becoming easier and comfortable to use for everyone, the only thing to do is interconnect with our devices and equipment. Currently in this sector, processors are becoming very cheap, therefore it’s possible for anything to be connected through IoT. IoT adaptation across every sector continues to go upward. All types of company whether startup or big, they are ready to invest in IoT.
Currently, companies based on IoT, focus on tracking and medical devices. Tracking is being used in all types of medium i.e. air, water, and land. In the past, the data regarding tracking displayed on the smartphones and other devices were basic and sometimes not accurate. If customers want accurate details the device installed on the product should be able to generate live data. In the present, live data generation can be implemented. Live data generation is implemented on Astra (Fleet management system).
- Live data alerts about the status of the vehicles sent to users.
- Data regarding different trips conducted by the fleet management can be acquired.
- Fleet management software is powered by Android and IOS versions
- Monitoring of speed, maintenance, and other renewal details can also be acquired.
IoT plays a huge role in Health industry. Companies who are not into medical field are ready to research and learn in investing and producing healthcare devices. Smartphones and other connected devices are now able to receive medical and other information regarding health and wellbeing of the users. Smart watches, Smart bands etc are some of the examples which help in giving the health-related data to users.
Smart homes
Everyone wants to be safe and comfortable when it comes to staying in home or apartments. The power to control your home with a smartphone or a tablet is always a dream for everyone. The cost of smart homes is so high that many cannot afford it. Hopefully, in the coming years, the cost of smart homes can be afforded by everyone. We all have been seeing home automation systems mainly in movies which are very easy to use, stylish, comfortable & just with a click of a button, security systems are activated.
Components of Smart Home:
- Smart Kitchen
For many people, the kitchen is the center of the home for and a focal point for interactions that go beyond preparing and eating food. Household brands are hustling against tech behemoths like Google and Amazon to dominate the kitchen with Internet-connected appliances and cooking devices that include refrigerators embedded with touch screens, smart dishwashers and connected counter-top screens with artificially intelligent assistants that react to spoken commands.
This type of technology is new and very slow in growth. In it mainly because it’s costly and complicated. A smart device controlling the kitchen appliances through WIFI is easy to say. But when it comes in changing the kitchen habits of the public, it will be difficult . For a certain percentage of the public kitchen is a part of their lives. I feel that this type of technology is very useful for people with hectic work life . Cooking is an art which is the greatest challenge for this technology. Too much of technology in kitchen can kill enthusiasm for cooking among people.
- Smart TV
This is one of the most happening and attractive technology. Smart TV in simple terms means using the internet platform in Television. It is mainly in the platform of Android or IOS . Apps are the main feature of Smart TV : Youtube, Facebook, etc can be viewed on television. The main plus point of this technology is that it is more affordable. A majority of the electronic industries have already succeeded in this technology and are still expanding in this IoT sector.
- Pets
Pets play a very important part in human life. Devices to live monitor pets are now common since pet life plays a very important role in certain parts of the world. Apps related to pets’ health have also been growing. Since the pet market is growing steadily, certain IoT start-ups fully focus on products only related to pets.
- Smart lighting
Lighting systems in home or an office can be automated by detecting the number of occupancy in the room and also adjusting light according to the daylight. Smart lighting technology is widely used in offices than in homes. When it comes to homes, smart lighting is still yet to establish a strong foothold in the market. Companies like TP Link , Syska, Philips etc are concentrating on the wide production of Smart Bulbs which is used by WIFI platform and is controlled by smartphone .This IoT technology is successful in office.
- Smart locks
This technology was brought into existence only to make the user’s life more convenient. A smart lock can be controlled anywhere with the help of WIFI. Smart lock is unlocking your door with the smart device anywhere around the world with an internet connection. People who have a tendency to forget to lock the door, smart locks can be very useful. Instead of spare keys, digital keys using the company’s app can be used. The user can give the access of entry through digital key (Pin) by entering into the dashboard on the device. Smart locks is a very useful IoT device.
- Smart Security Cameras
Monitoring homes or offices while the users are not in town, that’s something everyone would like to have. This type of security system is being used by users who go for long business trips or vacations. Smart security cameras can also be used to watch children as well as aging parents when they are home alone. This system can also be useful in case any robbery happens, this will help in tracking down the right person and also will be able to get back the stolen items.
IoT Future
Since the entire world is shifting to IoT, there will be a huge impact on our lives in the coming future. From home appliance to industrial companies, everything will be automated. Since there is connectivity available for everyone and everywhere, the communication pattern has changed rapidly. It has a huge scope as it provides good opportunities for companies to convert data into insights. In future, there will be an improvement in the device connections and sensors.
When it comes to IoT applications, it’s divided into consumer and industrial segment. When consumer segment is driven by health and fitness automation and also home automation, industrial segment covers retail and industrial automation which grants the development of smart cities. IoT applications and services help in the productivity of employees, it helps companies to concentrate and refine business process. Therefore this will turn into an opportunity for better efficiency.
Certain companies are now concentrating on the production of drones which I would say is something very interesting and exciting. Drones are used to capture and process geographic information, which is used on the basis for construction basis and other infrastructure. In the past drones were mainly used for military purposes, since there are sensors installed in the drones monitored weather and other environment details.
Drones
In certain countries drones are used for agriculture purposes, it’s mainly to survey crop conditions like watering and fertilizing process. We always think drones are always used in air but they are also used undersea as well. Undersea drones are used for monitoring the sea levels, temperature and exploring other parts of the sea world. The drawback of drones are they are very costly.
In future there are plans for drones to be used as:
- Flying cars in Dubai – using as a taxi to transport passengers.
- Fire department – It will be used in all fire departments in many developed countries to help extinguish fire at highest floor buildings.
- Police – They will be used by the police department to capture other drones without authorization.
Smart City
Smart City is emerging by three aspects
- IoT
- Automation
- Machine learning
These are 3 most important aspects of Smart City. These three sectors have already been implemented in different types of markets. Smart building consists of sensors installed in all parts of the cities, mostly installed in buildings. Sensors are being installed to find out structural health of the building as well as other readings relalting to safety. Since sensors are being installed around the city, information’s regarding water supply and other public infrastructure can be attained. Sensors also help in finding finding out damages in roads or other properties. This will help us detect the faults in construction or other damages thereby preventing disasters.
To improve the safety of the public, smart city technology is being used almost everywhere. Smart security systems which give us recorded as well as live data can be used to reduce crime and robbery. Other uses of Smart city are it monitors and reports any kinds of climate change and predict natural calamities.
A few components of Smart City
- Smart Lighting
It provides adaptive lighting where sensors can have late night power saving and the light will turn on when a motion is detected. This type of solutions is designed to be efficient and cost effective. LED lights are being used for this solution as that maintenance will be low and also provides better lighting .
- Smart Water Management
Smart water management is where the authorities can find out the current data about the water levels in the city. Portable water monitoring is being installed in many parts of the city to get accurate readings of the water levels. Water leakage can also be detected with the help of these sensors, this will help cities to be more efficient and cost effective.
- Smart Parking
One of the hardest things when you start driving is parking . Smart city provides solution for this as well. There will be two types of parking systems:
Data driven reservation systems
It is a system where the users can book the parking space by using a parking app. The user request for the parking space, the parking spot gets booked and a parking usage fee will be charged.
Sensor powered parking systems
This is a system where robust sensors are buried under the parking space. Once the car is parked over the space, data will be generated outside the outdoor beacons showing the parking is being occupied by a user. The operational cost of these sensors and beacons are low, which becomes affordable and also cost effective.
The process of building a smart city is time consuming and involves a lot of investment. Countries like Barcelona, UAE and Singapore have already started using smart city technology. Let’s hope for the best for other countries as well to reach their goal.
Imagination is where ideas come into existence, the above discussed areas have all come from ideas which were imagined and implemented by individuals. This is where the real questions comes in our mind:
• Can we adapt the different types of IoT technologies in the coming years?
• Will it be affordable by everyone?
Author Bio:
I am Ranjit Alexander,I’m a Marketing Analyst at ThinkPalm Technologies. My role is to explore IoT and RPA (Robotic process automation) markets where ThinkPalm can participate and lend a helping hand to companies who are in need of our expertise. Autobiographies and biographies are my favorites as each one of them teach me a new lesson of life every time.
