Internet of Things or IoT involves connecting various devices to the internet in order to collect and share data, from lightbulbs controlled via smartphone apps all the way to self-driving vehicles.
IoT technology can assist businesses in cutting costs by automating processes. Furthermore, real-time analysis enables better decisions to be made based on real data.
1. Smart Homes
Consumer IoT devices allow them to automate tasks and control their environment more easily, such as lighting, heating and cooling systems, media players, security systems and cooking appliances which can be remotely managed or by voice assistants like Alexa.
IoT sensors feature unique identifiers to allow them to communicate with each other and cloud platforms through network protocols like Wi-Fi, 2G/3G/4G LTE and LoRaWAN. This enables devices from different manufacturers to trigger each other using services like IFTTT (If This Then That). They may even record and store their own data for analysis.
2. Smart Cities
From smart homes to cities, IoT helps organizations integrate their business models and adapt quickly to technological advancement. Businesses using IoT are able to reduce operating costs, carbon emissions and enhance customer service – all by harnessing this powerful resource.
An IoT device first needs to collect data; this can be achieved using sensors that measure changes or observable occurrences in its surroundings and then send this data over a network for processing into tasks based on this information. IoT devices communicate among themselves using unique identifiers like IP addresses.
3. Smart Businesses
IoT technology helps organizations bridge the physical and digital worlds by embedding sensors in everyday objects and systems, which then transmit data over wired or wireless networks such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi or 5G cellular. Once at their destination data network they can be monitored or controlled from there.
IoT devices can be embedded in vehicles for condition-based maintenance, connected navigation and shipment tracking. Furthermore, they can be utilized in standardized or customized production environments to increase operating efficiencies while optimizing inventory utilization and equipment use.
4. Smart Agriculture
IoT devices contain sensors capable of identifying events or changes in their environment. These sensors connect via wired or wireless networks in order to exchange data with each other.
Farming enterprises benefit greatly from IoT for agriculture’s information services, including increased crop yield and key decisions that support sustainable farming practices.
Smart greenhouses utilize IoT to provide an automated environment, mitigating weather challenges and predator attacks on crops. Furthermore, this system offers real-time insights to maximize yield efficiency.
5. Smart Healthcare
The Internet of Things connects physical objects with digital systems through sensors embedded within devices. Sensors inside these devices track environmental changes before relaying this data using network connections back into an operational backend system.
IoT devices such as smart thermostats, security cameras and doorbells typically connect to a hub via Wi-Fi and can be controlled via an app. Their backend systems can then use this data stream from these devices to make decisions or initiate actions accordingly.
IoT allows businesses to track performance more easily while delivering services with reduced effort, cutting costs and creating new business models such as product-as-a-service, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance.
6. Smart Transportation
IoT devices collect and share data across networks in order to deliver services or complete tasks, ranging from smart thermostats and self-driving cars that utilize sensors to interact with their environment.
Kevin Ashton, an industry pioneer and co-founder of MIT’s Auto-ID Center, popularized the term “Internet of Things” in 1999 for use at Procter & Gamble during a radio frequency ID presentation. IoT can act as an extension to supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), allowing real-time observation to detect early warning signs for any potential equipment problems that arise.
7. Smart Entertainment
The Internet of Things refers to an interconnected ecosystem made up of devices and systems capable of exchanging data among themselves. They use unique identifiers to establish themselves within this network and share data between themselves.
IoT in the entertainment industry provides vast amounts of consumer data that allows M&E companies to better understand customer behavior, tailor products accordingly, and optimize ads for maximum impact and revenue generation.
No matter whether it’s through smart gaming consoles or voice-activated human machine interfaces, IoT technology has taken over entertainment in a big way. From smart televisions and gaming consoles to voice control HMIs and voice assistants, the Internet of Things provides us with more immersive and enjoyable entertainment experiences that only continue to get better over time.
8. Smart Education
Education is another industry being transformed by smart technology. Schools and universities are using IoT devices to automate processes and increase operational efficiency.
Schools can leverage IoT devices to track student attendance and prevent security breaches, as well as monitor and optimize energy consumption within their premises.
IoT devices can facilitate remote learning, making it possible for students to study from anywhere. Furthermore, these devices provide students from diverse linguistic backgrounds access to translation capabilities that aid learning.
9. Smart Agriculture Equipment
The Internet of Things makes everyday devices smarter by sending data over the web and “talking” with other IoT devices – from smart home speakers to wearable health trackers. This technology is increasingly found everywhere from smartphones and smart TVs to wearable health trackers.
IoT solutions for agriculture can collect and process large volumes of data gathered from sensors installed in vehicles and machinery as well as aerial or satellite monitoring of agricultural fields.
These devices should contain appropriate security safeguards to avoid hacking, while their connections must also be robust enough to withstand adverse weather conditions.
10. Smart Transportation Equipment
IoT technologies are revolutionizing our world, making everything from public transportation to smart parking simpler and more effective. These IoT devices utilize sensors to collect information that then feeds back into a cloud platform that completes tasks based on this information.
GAO conducted a survey and reported that federal agencies who participated used IoT technology for several tasks:
