Internet of Things: The Route to a Modern Lifestyle

“Internet” defines a global network connection among networks and computer devices. On the other hand, “of Things” describes the materials that implement connection and communication over the Internet. In simple terms, The Internet of Things elaborates a network of physical objects linked with sensors, software, and connectivity over the Internet. The physical objects communicate over the Internet link to fulfil a specific task. For clarity, let us go through the components that make IoT work. They include,

• Devices and Sensors: These are physical objects embedded with electronics, software, and connectivity features. They are attached to specific areas where they initiate and send information to allocated destinations. Their examples include temperature sensors, smart thermostats, wearable fitness trackers, and industrial machinery sensors.

   

• Connectivity: This is the link enabling the connection and communication of physical devices with other systems. The linking technology includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular networks.

   

• Data processing and storage: When physical devices and sensors initiate data, they send it to a processing unit for analysis. We consider this data as raw before the processing unit makes it meaningful. The processing activity includes filtering, aggregating, analyzing, and sometimes even encrypting the data. For reference, the technology allocates the data on cloud platforms.

   

• Applications: They are user software where users interact to view insights and recommendations. Users use them to initiate control functions and respond to the control panel. They range from smart home to enterprise app solutions for remote monitoring and predictive maintenance.

   

• Security: Security plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth operation in this technology. The use of an internet connection exposes it to vulnerability. The IoT systems need robust security measures to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access to devices or networks. These measures include encryption, authentication, access control, and regular security updates.

How did this technology achieve what it is today? Like many other technologies, it must have undergone advancing stages to get to where it is now. 

Related: What are the types of IoT Networks.

  History of The Internet of Things

Like any other technology, The Internet of Things has had an innovative and challenging journey to get where it is today. We can trace this idea back to the 80s when computer networking was gaining momentum. The networking technology initiated researchers with the vision of objects that could send and receive messages along the network.

At that time, the technology’s driving factor was the development of embedded systems, specialized computer systems designed to perform specific functions within larger systems. It was then when innovators modified a Coke machine at Carnegie Mellon University rigged to report its inventory and whether newly loaded drinks were cold.

As the research progressed to the ’90s, researcher Kevin Ashton unleashed the term “Internet of Things”. He was working on a supply chain optimization project through a new technology that used RFID to track products.

In the 2000s, advancements in RFID tags, sensors and wireless connection enabled communication between the connected objects. At this period, we saw the rise of smart home devices, such as connected thermostats and security systems. The exploration of these technologies by various industries introduced smartphones a decade later. Smartphones came with better performances due to a better internet connection. Since they could be accessible to an average consumer, products like Amazon Echo and Google Home brought IoT to the mainstream market.

In the 2010s, challenges like compatibility and security were on the rise. It forced organizations like the Internet Engineering Task Force and the IEEE to work on standardizing IoT technologies and protocols to ensure efficiency. After a successful regulation, the concept of smart cities started to take shape, with IoT devices playing a crucial role in traffic management, energy conservation, and public safety.

 The Use of the Internet of Things in our Daily Lives

From history, we understand that various industries applied this technology for different purposes. To this point, it applies beyond industries straight to your doorstep. An average consumer can now use the technology for personal use. Let us go through the activities with a direct impact that applies this technology. They include, 

• SmartHomes: These home appliance setups that connect and collaborate with an automatic mobile control system through the Internet. You can control various functions like security access, lighting, and entertainment. These functions become part and parcel of this technology once operating through a single device. Operating these functions from any point requires a good internet connection and a working mobile device. For clarification, let us analyze how the Internet of Things works on various home functions.

   

  (i). Home Security: Smart homes technology is improving home security with its ability to raise an alert when you are away from home or caught unawares. Security devices like window and door contacts, motion detectors, heat, smoke and water detectors, smart doorbells, and cameras collaborate with alarm pads to secure your home. They alert you on any break-ins, fire outbreaks or floods. All detectors and contact sensors connect to the alarm pad, which is the control panel. The control panel manages all sensor inputs, processes them according to predefined rules, and activates alarms or notifications accordingly. You can operate it manually via a PIN or remotely via a mobile app. 
  
  (ii). Home SmartKitchen: Enabling such a kitchen in your home requires the presence of IoT kitchen appliances. A good example is the Internet Digital DIOS smart refrigerator, first manufactured by LG in 2000. After its production, other smart kitchen products like microwaves, ovens, dishwashers, etc, followed suit. These equipment connect to the WiFi internet to enable access from your mobile phone app. 

• Smart HealthCare: In modern hospitals, this technology enables remote patient monitoring, wearable health trackers, and smart medical devices. It has the potential to streamline and enhance a safer and better smart healthcare service in and out of the hospital. For quick service delivery, its instance data access initiates an immediate response by health workers to any emergency healthcare alert raised. Moreover, it collects real-time health data, facilitating early detection of medical conditions and enabling personalized and proactive healthcare.

   

• Transport and Logistics: In this industry, the Internet of Things enables real-time tracking of vehicles, optimizing routes, and enhancing supply chain management. When tracking vehicles, the technology works through installed GPS sensors and other tracking devices. These installed devices transmit data continuously to a central system, allowing logistics managers to monitor the exact location of each vehicle in their fleet visible via live maps.

  
  With this technology, it becomes easy for transport managers to monitor the driver’s behaviour and receive alerts to any unauthorized use or deviations from planned routes. The IoT technology can also provide managers about the vehicle condition. To reduce vehicle breakdowns, it notifies them with maintenance alerts and warnings. The sensors installed not only monitor the vehicles but also help managers to monitor the goods they carry. For example, RFID tags can track products throughout the supply chain, providing data on location, movement, and conditions.

   

• Smart Agriculture: The IoT technology improves agriculture by transmitting real-time data to farmers. It gathers data on environmental conditions, crop health, equipment performance, and more. This data-driven approach helps farmers make informed decisions, increase efficiency, reduce resource usage, and optimize yields. What initiates the transmitted data? Adopting smart agriculture technology in the farming sector involves different sets of sensors. They include,

   

  (i). Crop Sensors: These are smart agriculture crop sensors installed in farms to monitor crop health frameworks such as moisture levels, nutrient content, pH levels, and the presence of disease. These sensors generate real-time insights into the condition of crops and send them to centralized farm management software systems. The management systems integrate the data, analyze it, and provide actionable insights to the farmer. The farmer can receive the insights directly on the management systems or remotely through a connected mobile app.

  (ii). Environmental Sensors: The sensors here monitor weather conditions and soil composition. They generate information for farmers about soil moisture, temperature, humidity, light intensity, and atmospheric conditions. When these conditions deviate from optimal ranges, these sensors trigger alerts and notifications to farmers. For example, if soil moisture levels drop below a certain threshold, the sensors send an alert to the farmer, indicating the need for irrigation. This proactive monitoring helps farmers respond promptly to changing environmental conditions, minimizing crop stress and yield loss.

  (iii).Smart Livestock Monitors: Through this technology, farmers use RFID tags and GPS trackers to monitor their livestock. These devices keep track of the livestock’s health, location, and behaviour. Apart from ensuring their well-being, these smart livestock monitors also provide insights about their feeding programs and breeding practices.

  Related: The Internet of Things (IoT) Device Lifecycle Management