The internet of things, or IoT, is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and
digital machines, objects, animals, or people that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.
A thing in the internet of things can be a person with a heart monitor implant, a farm animal with a biochip transponder, an automobile that has built-in sensors to alert the driver when tire pressure is low or any other natural or man-made object that can be assigned an
Internet Protocol (IP) address and is able to transfer data over a network.
Increasingly, organizations in a variety of industries are using IoT to operate more efficiently, better understand customers to deliver enhanced customer service, improve decision-making and increase the value of the business.
How Iot Works?
An IoT ecosystem consists of web-enabled smart devices that use embedded systems, such as processors, sensors, and communication hardware, to collect, send and act on data they acquire from their environments. IoT devices share the sensor data they collect by connecting to an IoT gateway or other edge device where data is either sent to the cloud to be analyzed or analyzed locally. Sometimes, these devices communicate with other related
devices and act on the information they get from one another. The devices do most of the work without human intervention, although people can interact with the devices — for instance, to set them up, give them instructions or access the data. The connectivity, networking, and communication protocols used with these web-enabled devices largely
depend on the specific IoT applications deployed. IoT can also make use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to aid in making data collecting processes easier and more dynamic.
Internet of Things has captured the attention of the Government sector, Industry, and academia globally due to its broad prospects. This article brings an account on basic understanding of IoT infrastructure, applications of IoT and Merits, De-Merits of Interment
of Things.
Almost everything around, which is connected to the Internet, sharing data, and connecting devices are referred to as the Internet of Things – IoT. With the Internet of Things, it is possible to convert any dead things into a smart, responsive operating device without the involvement of human beings. Nowadays, we can observe from a light bulb to a small computer gadget that how IoT is transforming the world. We can say that all this “Internet
of Things” thingy has become possible due to the laid-back availability of wireless networks and cheap computer chips.
System of Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure is divided into 3 layers:
Perception Layer :
This is the core layer of the IoT system. All kinds of physical world information is gathered through WSN (Wireless Sensors Network), RFID system, GPS (Global Position System), camera, EDI (Electronic Data Interface), intelligent terminals, objects, etc. are stored in this
layer.
Transport Layer :
This layer is also called the Network layer. It includes a core network, access network and provides the capability of transferring transparent information. The information that forms the perception layer is transported to the upper layer by the network layer. Also, this layer provides an adequate, tested, and reliable network structure base on the perception layer and huge scales industrial application.
Application Layer :
This layer is also called the ‘Service’ layer. It includes the application service sub-layer and the data-management layer. The data-management sub-layer provides data reconstructing, combining, cleaning and M2M (market-to-market) service, directory service, facility
management, QoS (Quality of Service), geometrics, etc. through cloud computing technologies and SOA (Service Oriented Architecture), etc. The application service sub-layer converts data into content and delivers a nice user interface for prime end-users and industrial applications such as agricultural administration, environmental monitoring, disaster
warning, logistics and supply, production management, etc.
Why Iot Is Important?
The internet of things helps people live and work smarter, as well as gain complete control over their lives. In addition to offering smart devices to automate homes, IoT is essential to business. IoT provides businesses with a real-time look into how their systems really work, delivering insights into everything from the performance of machines to supply chain and
logistics operations. IoT enables companies to automate processes and reduce labor costs. It also cuts down on waste and improves service delivery, making it less expensive to manufacture and deliver goods, as well as offering transparency into customer transactions.
As such, IoT is one of the most important technologies of everyday life, and it will continue to pick up steam as more businesses realize the potential of connected devices to keep them competitive.
Applications Of Internet Of Things
Now we will have a look at how the Internet of Things is transforming our normal lives by reading down smart IoT application devices.
Applications of IoT in Smart Home (Home devices)
Smart Home is the most popular IoT system feature and has become one of the revaluating steps into the domestic area. Companies are striving to provide you more convenient and simple life such as turning lights off even after leaving your home or turning your air conditioner on before entering the home. There is a prediction that smart homes will be popular as smartphones soon. Smart home appliances and devices are promised to save money, energy and time.
Application of IoT in wearable’s
Wearable are devices installed with software and sensors that collect data about their users and extract vital information about the user. Google Watch and Glasses are examples of Wearable. Wearable’s cover health, fitness, and entertainment needs.
IoT Apps in Connected Cars
A connected car in an automated car can optimize a car’s operation and maintenance by internet connectivity and onboard sensors. Automotive IoT’s focus is on optimizing automobiles’ internal functionality. Major car companies like BMW, Tesla, Google, and Apple are working on connected car solutions to the next level.
Industrial Internet of Things
IIot (Industrial Internet of Things) is the new attraction in the industrial zone. IIoT is enabling industrial businesses with huge data analytics, sensors, and software to build advanced equipment. There are prospects about IIoT that can control product quality and durability. Moreover, IoT applications will raise the stock chain efficiency for the speedy delivery and
trailing products, and real-time exchange of information about the account between retailers and suppliers.
IoT in Smart Cities
A smart city is another big sensation among people. By installing IoT applications, sensors, and software citizens can find free parking slots, save energy and water with smarter electricity management systems and smart water supplies, resolve transport problems with automated transport, and control pollution with environmental control.
Internet of Things in Agriculture
Another fastest-growing field of IoT is Smart farming. As demand for food, supply is increasing day by day due to the growing population. The government and industrial sector are motivating farmers to adopt new technology and research to multiply the yield. Some useful
examples of IoT in agriculture are controlling water consumption, determining fertilizer schedules, and analyzing soil for nutrients and moisture. It is a good omen that farmers are using these useful IoT sensors and software to improve growth and investment return.
Uses of IoT in Smart Retail
IoT has huge potential in the zone of retail. With IoT applications, retailers engage customers to improve the shopping experience. Smartphones enable retailers to connect and serve better their in-store customers as well as offline customers by offering the best products online.
IoT Applications in Smart Energy Engagement
With IoT, power grids are going to be smarter and reliable in the future. IoT sensors and software allow power grids to calculate power usage by consumers and identify power sources to maintain demand and supply of power production.
Applications of IoT in Healthcare
In comparison to other fields, IoT in the Healthcare sector is yet under development. However, the installment of smart medical software and connected healthcare systems has huge potential for the welfare of the general public and pharmaceutical companies as well. The Healthcare sector is working on IoT on major scales to empower people for a healthier
life by wearing connected healthcare devices. Connected healthcare devices will collect data on an individual’s health condition that will help physicians to create personalized treatment strategies for the disease.
Applications of IoT on Poultry and Farming
Livestock farmers can monitor livestock with the Internet of Things and can save costs, analyze animal’s health on time to prevent disease to be pandemic. Collected information through IoT can be used to increase farm production.
Advantages of the Internet of Things
IoT tags and sensors are making life smarter and simpler with the help of collected data. This collected data can be used in betterment for the respective field of life i.e. business industry, retail sector, healthcare, agriculture, etc. IoT is becoming more and more popular in today’s
world because of its enormous advantages.
The benefits of IoT in Collecting Data
IoT allows you to make the right and easy decision by collecting enough information. One example of the Internet of Things is Connected smartphones while you are out for groceries. Through a smartphone, you can check what to get from the grocery store without going back
home; this will not only save your time but make your shopping experience more convenient.
Use of IoT in Time Saving
The smart computer helps you to save time by keeping a record of the number of your trips, keeping an account of your monthly expenditure. Otherwise, it is time-consuming to make manual brochures for everything.
IoT Pros in Money
IoT applications have replaced humans in maintaining and monitoring demand and supplies and having an account of expenditures. Financial management id the most beneficial and popular aspect of the Internet of Things.
Advantage of IoT in Tracking Info
Computers are a big useful example of the Internet of Things. Computers keep track of goods’ quantity and quality. You can know the expiry date of a product from home. It will benefit your health by notifying you about the expiry date. Also, computers keep track of stock so that you do not run out of stock of anything when you need it.
Disadvantages of the Internet of Things
Despite the enormous advantages of IoT, this technology has some drawbacks:
Device Compatibility
Device compatibility has no standard, which causes difficulty in tagging and monitoring with
IoT sensors: Uniformity like Bluetooth or USB is required for smooth operation.
Complexity: Complex systems operation can cause failure in the process. For example, a software bug can cause send you a message of a shortage of one particular item multiple times when it is needed to send for once only.
Privacy / Security
Data security and privacy are some of the major problems in IoT. For example, your account and financial details should be encrypted so that it should not be seen by anyone else.
Safety: With a hacked computer, your information safe is put at high risk. Your account details could be stolen or your health record can be stolen for misuse. However, it is the consumer’s responsibility to keep their smart devices safe and safety protected.
The Internet of Things has a broad perspective in shaping tomorrow’s world. Even though the IoT system has some demerits, its merits like saving consumers time and money outstand its cons. It is predicted that soon IoT applications will be installed and used equally
in both domestic and industrial areas. Companies are working hard to shoot back IoT disadvantages and making this futuristic technology more beneficial for the betterment of
humanity.