Internet of Things (IOT)
IOT (Internet of Things) is the connection of devices within the infrastructure of the existing internet. IOT is expected to enable advanced connection of systems, services, and devices. The connectivity is supposed to cover machines, domains, applications, and protocols. IOT involves the embedding of unique devices into the infrastructure of the internet (TechTarget, 2014). The interconnectivity of these devices is geared towards achieving automation on almost all the fields. IOT also enables the use of applications such as smart grid. Some of the devices in IOT include biochip transponders, cars with in-built sensors, implants that are used for monitoring the heart, firefighters’ devices, washers and dryers using wifi in remote control, and smart thermostats.
The vision behind IOT has changed due to a variety of technologies. These technologies include embedded systems and wireless communication. All these systems have contributed towards making IOT possible. The concept of smart devices was put into discussion in the year 1991. In the year 1994, the concept was further described by Reza Raji as the act of transferring data in small packets to large nodes. The purpose of doing this is to automate and integrate all the devices. IOT did not pick up momentum until the year 1999. The IOT was proposed by Kevin Ashton (TechTarget, 2014).
Kevin Ashton observed computers and internet, and discovered that they depended wholly on humans for supply of information. Almost all the data found in the internet was first input into the system by human beings. People input data into the internet through scanning, typing, taking pictures, and recording. The problem with people is that they have shortcomings in terms of accuracy, attention, and limited time. These shortcomings mean that they are poor at capturing data with regards to things in the real world. That is a major problem because the environment as well as people is physical. Information and ideas are very important, but things are more important. Ashton discovered that the technology depended on data that was collected by people to an extent that the computers knew less of things and more of ideas. There was need to develop computers that knew more about things. Ashton thought that computers with knowledge about things would be able to count and track everything. Such computers would reduce cost, loss, and waste. The computers would enable people to know when things required repairing, replacing, or recalling. The computers would also be able to tell whether the computers were still fit to use or they had reached their time for disposal. Ashton concluded that IOT could change the world (TechTarget, 2014).
The Auto-ID Centre at MIT popularized the internet of things. In the past, RFID (Radio-frequency identification) was termed as a qualification for IOT. The aim was to equip all people and objects with identifiers. The computers would then be able to manage and record any data surrounding these people and objects. Tagging was also used by incorporating technologies such as barcodes, digital watermarking, QR codes, and near field communication.
The implementation of IOT was done by equipping objects with identifiers that could only be read by machines. There were high expectations that IOT would transform people’s lives positively. IOT enabled instant inventory control, therefore, avoided the cumbersome process of stock taking. IOT would also control the user accessibility to objects depending on the user agreements and the needs of the user. An example is where film producers would be enabled to apply digital and copyright restrictions effectively (Microsoft, 2014).
IOT has many applications in the present day. It operates by interconnecting embedded devices in any field. Networking enables the collection of information from various fields, therefore, providing a wide range of applications for IOT (Microsoft, 2014). The IOT systems sense things and can also perform actions. An example is whereby shopping systems monitor the buying behavior of customers, and then the customers are provided with offers on the products they like buying. IOT systems could also advice customers on the location of their favorite products.
IOT has enabled the development of a baby monitor that enables the parents to check on their baby. The baby monitor is called Mimo monitor and is specifically designed for infants. The monitor checks on the baby’s skin temperature, activity level, body position, and breathing. The Mimo monitor then relays this information to the Smartphones of the parents (Postscapes, 2014). The parents can get the information about their babies from anywhere in the world.
IOT is also very helpful in the medical field. Pharmaceuticals use IOT on their prescription bottles so as to ensure that the patients do not forget to take their medications. GlowCaps are fitted on prescription bottles, and have a chip that helps in reminding the patients about taking their medicine (Postscapes, 2014). The patients are sent messages reminding them to take their medication, refill their drugs, and their scheduled doctor’s appointments.
A diagram showing a prescription bottle fitted with a chip (Postscapes, 2014)
IOT is also used on patients with cardiac arrhythmias. Such patients are very sensitive and need to be monitored by their doctors constantly. Such patients can be able to lead a normal life through the help of a device called Body Guardian (Postscapes, 2014). This device is a sensor system that can be worn by the patient. The system is able to read the biometrics of the patient. The biometrics includes respiration rate, heart rate, activity level, and ECG. The device then sends the data to the patient’s doctor. This device is helpful because the patient is able to live outside the health facility and enjoy life. The doctor is also not worried because he will be alerted in the event there is an emergency.
A diagram showing a Body Guardian (Postscapes, 2014)
IOT has also enabled the remote monitoring and management of homes. Consequently, it has led to efficient use of resources and reduction of monthly bills. An example is the use of Nest which is a smart thermostat (IOT Consortium). Nest uses sensors, activities at home, and weather forecasts to determine how much energy is required at home. Nest manages to reduce the usage of energy by about 30% (Postscapes, 2014). It provides heat to the home in an efficient manner. Overall the device keeps the family comfortable and saves them money in terms of bills.
A diagram showing Nest (Postscapes, 2014)
IOT is also used on smart devices such as WeMo. WeMo enables a person to turn off or on any device that is plugged in. WeMo can work whether you are within the house or you are in another part of the world. A person can conserve energy and save money through the use of WeMo. A lot of energy is usually wasted through standby power (Postscapes, 2014). WeMo takes care of this through the use of IOT. WeMo also measures and records the amount of power that a device uses. It then schedules the usage of power by devices, and enables efficient use. The result is an increased lifespan of the device.
A diagram showing WeMo (Postscapes, 2014)
A person can also track down lost phones or keys using Bluetooth. IOT can be used in the lighting of homes. A person can configure multi-functional lights that light up depending on the function been accomplished. The lights can also go off when there is nobody in the house or room. They can also act as security when you are away from home by lighting up and down (Postscapes, 2014). It keeps away burglars.
IOT helps in keeping streets clean. There are products such as Smart Belly that collect data in real time and send alerts to the municipal council (Postscapes, 2014). These alerts enable the municipal staff to know that a bin needs to be emptied. Availability of such information reduces the number of times the staff of the municipal council goes out to pick up the trash. Consequently, there is reduction in fuel costs, and an increase in the financial savings. The streets are also kept constantly clean because there is no overflow of garbage.
Mobile applications, installed sensors, and web applications that are real-time can help cities optimize revenue. People can also save time by knowing the availability of parking spots. Parking quickly helps in reducing the environmental pollution. IOT also helps people to receive pollution warnings. An example is the project DontFlushMe. That project combined the sensors in sewer overflows with alerts made to people during events of overflows. The project aimed at preventing pollution of water with the sewage (Postscapes, 2014).
IOT has enabled the use of electricity in an efficient manner. There is a system called SenseNET that uses sensors that are powered by batteries. These sensors measure the electric current, determine the level of consumption, and send the data to the host for analysis. The system aids in saving energy and finances. The clamps can detect any tampering on the meter, and malfunction issues. IOT also enables effective lighting of the streets. It does this through the use of smart lighting system. The smart lighting system determines the level of lighting required based on the season, weather, and time. The use of such lighting systems has resulted in the saving of energy by 30% (Postscapes, 2014).
IOT has been put into various applications in industries. It has served well in optimizing operations, saving resources, reducing costs, and boosting productivity. IOT is used by installing sensors inside equipment. The sensors in the equipment monitor the parts of the tools to determine whether they are worn out. They then send reports to the manufacturers or owners informing them of the status of the equipment. These reports enable the manufacturers to make early predictions of possible malfunctions of the equipment. These early predictions enable the manufacturers to carry out service maintenance (Postscapes, 2014). IOT, therefore, helps in the repair and maintenance of equipment. Sensors can also be embedded inside concrete blocks so as to monitor the quality of a structure. The sensors are very helpful in monitoring the load of projects during and after the construction.
IOT is used in the environment to make it safe for people. There is a system called Air Quality Egg that monitors the level of pollution in the environment. The people are able to collect the readings of CO and NO2 around their homes. The data is shared with other people to enlighten them about the level of pollution in the environment. Another device is the Invisible Track. The Invisible Track is used to identify any illegal deforestation occurring in the Amazon. These devices are operated by battery. The devices are fitted on selected trees. Upon felling these trees the illegal loggers transport these trees. The devices can connect to a network within a 20 mile radius. The device sends an alert to the Brazilian Institute of Environment (Postscapes, 2014).
IOT is still in the early stages of creation. The applications show examples of the possibilities that can be further explored. The combinations of network, actuators, and sensors can give rise to products that can improve efficiency and reduce costs. A report in industrial applications indicates that 1% efficiency gains might lead to 15 year period saving of $66 billion in fuel consumption for gas fired plants; $63 billion in healthcare; and $30 billion in jet fuel consumption (Postscapes, 2014).
In the future, IOT is anticipated to make impacts on education, transport, finance, and government. Major impacts are also anticipated by the consumers. Presently there are many IOT applications geared towards consumers, but that is not the end (IOT Consortium, 2014). Consumer needs are many and dynamic. Consumers also expect a lot from a product. An example is a scenario where a fire starts in your house and instead of the alarm just beeping, it goes ahead and instructs the gas appliances to shut off, and wakes you up by sending alerts through the phone.
In the year 2020, it is expected that more than 26 billion devices will be interconnected (Gartner, 2013). IOT is a network of connected things. The relationships within the components in IOT include things-things, people-things, and people-people. In the future all things are expected to be connected. The devices will even talk to each other and exchange information. The internet of things will be applied on a broader context to transport networks. The use of IOT will help in increasing efficiency and reducing wastage. The result will be improved standards of living and working.
IOT creates new opportunities in the world. It also establishes connections between things in creative ways. Some of the impacts of these connections cannot be fully understood today. IOT brings in both opportunities and challenges (Morgan, 2014). The opportunities can enable a person to experience success and live his dream. The challenges can bring about many questions that the innovator has no idea on how to solve. Security is one of the major issues that are brought forward by concerned parties. The interconnections of many devices to each other pose threats to the security of the information of a person. People are also concerned about their privacy. In the present day, the concern about privacy is very high. People can only imagine what the future of IOT will do to their privacy concerns. There is also concern about data storage with the increase in the production of data. The best thing for people to do now is to educate themselves about IOT and its impacts.
References
Morgan J. (2014). A Simple Explanation of “The Internet of Things”. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobmorgan/2014/05/13/simple-explanation-internet-things-that-anyone-can-understand/
Postscapes, (2014). An Internet of Things. Retrieved from: http://postscapes.com/internet-of-things-examples/
Microsoft, (2014). Internet of Things. Retrieved from: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/internet-of-things.aspx
TechTarget, (2014). Internet of Things (IOT). Retrieved from: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Internet-of-Things
IOT Consortium, (2014). Home Decor over Home Automation. Retrieved from: http://iofthings.org/blog/
Gartner, (2013). Gartner Says the Internet of Things Installed Base will Grow to 26 Billion Units by 2020. Retrieved from: http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2636073
