Internet of Things

In this blog, we are going to learn about What really the IoT(Internet of Things) is? The phrase itself defines what it is and makes it as an interesting topic to go for. Let’s have a formal and informal definition about Internet of Things.

Formal definition: “The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.”

Informal definition: IoT is basically a platform where we connect everyday things embedded with electronics, software, and sensors to the internet enabling them to collect and exchange data. The ‘Thing’ in IoT refers to any built-in sensors that has the ability to collect data and transfer it to the internet without human intervention.

Why we go for IoT?
In IoT, almost everything become smart. When something gets connected to the internet it actually gets the tendency to send and receive information. The ability to send/receive information via internet make things smart. For being smart a thing should be connected to super storage space or super computer.. 

Who can enter into IoT?
People from different backgrounds such as IT professionals, management professionals as well as students who wish to acquire a solid base about IoT can learn this.

Who can enter into IoT?
People from different backgrounds such as IT professionals, management professionals as well as students who wish to acquire a solid base about IoT can learn this.

What knowledge is required?
One can go with IoT if they have a basic knowledge about programming, databases, networking and related technology.

Features of IoT: Let’s have a look on the essential features of IoT which is explained under 5 major categories:

• Artificial Intelligence: AI is the major part in IoT era. The devices with AI are intelligent in nature by sensing the environment around them, processing the information available to them, taking some decisions based on the information and executes the decision.
• Sensors: Sensors are sophisticated devices that can frequently detect and responds to electrical and optical signals. They can convert the physical parameters such as temperature, blood pressure, speed, humidity, etc., into electrical signals.
• Connectivity: Connectivity is the ability to establish a proper connection between all the IoT devices to IoT platform(server or cloud). After connection is made, there will be a reliable, secure and bi-directional communication between devices and cloud via high speed messaging system.
• Active Engagement: IoT enables the active engagement between connected technology, product, or services
• Devices: Devices in IoT are more powerful, cheaper and smaller over time. It makes use of smaller devices to deliver its scalability, versatility and accuracy.

Advantages & Disadvantages:
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:

• Efficient resource utilization: There will be an efficient resource utilization when we know the functionality and interaction between devices connected together in the IoT platform.
• Minimize human effort: As there is a direct communication between connected devices, they can do lot of work without human intervention, thus reduces the human effort.
• Save time: Time is the primary factor to be considered for any task. As there is a minimal human effort, it definitely saves our time.
• Improve security: Now, if we have a system that all these things are interconnected then we can make the system more secure and efficient.

Disadvantages : Here are some disadvantages of IoT:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Applications of IoT:

• Smart home: A smart home gives owner the capability to customize and control home environment for increased security and efficient energy management.
• Wearable IoT tech: Wearable IoT tech is a very large domain and consists of an array of devices. These devices broadly cover the fitness, health and entertainment requirements.
• Smart Cities: Smart cities are the real substantial solutions for the troubles people usually face due to population outburst, pollution, poor infrastructure and shortage of energy supplies.
• Healthcare: Healthcare is one sector which is supposed to be highly boosted with advent of internet of things applications. IoT examples in this domain are many. 1. Future Path Medical’s UroSense 2. Philips’ Medication Dispensing Service
• Agriculture: Agriculture sector needs very institutive as well as highly scalable technology solutions. Internet of things applications can deliver exactly the same to farmers.
• Industrial Automation: Industrial automation is one of the most profound applications of IoT.

Conclusion: So far, in this blog, we have learned about the basic concepts of IoT such as its definition, needs and its features. Also we have discussed about what are all the major benefits and its issues to consider in future. Hope this will be useful for the readers.