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What Is the Internet of Things (IoT)? With Examples

Find out how the Internet of Things works and why it’s important.

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a network of physical devices. These devices can transfer data to one another without human intervention. IoT devices are not limited to computers or machinery. The Internet of Things can include anything with a sensor that is assigned a unique identifier (UID). The primary goal of the IoT is to create self-reporting devices that can communicate with each other (and users) in real time.

Who coined the term Internet of Things?

The IoT was named by computer scientist Kevin Ashton in 1999.

Internet of Things examples

You likely use IoT devices every day. The list below outlines a few IoT devices that you may be familiar with:

Smart home devices. Smart devices are interactive electronics that use wireless connections to understand user instructions. To an extent, smart home devices like thermostats and home security systems can work autonomously to assist with daily tasks. For example, you may program your smart thermostat to adjust automatically to a cooler setting before you arrive home from work. Or, you may receive a security camera notification to inform you that someone is at the door when you are not home. 

Wearable technologies. One of the most common Internet of Things examples is smartwatches. Wearable IoT technology like Fitbits and Apple Watches connect to other devices (like your smartphone) to share data. They typically also connect to the internet to track GPS locations. 

Personal medical devices. Personal medical devices like pacemakers are also IoT devices. Remote medical devices can help monitor and share a patient's vital signs or detect early signs of health issues for fast intervention. 

Autonomous vehicles. Self-driving cars and other connected vehicles rely on the internet to share real-time information. Sensors throughout the vehicle help map its surroundings, transmit camera footage, and respond to traffic signals.

Interested in building your own IoT device ? Try the University of Colorado Boulder’s online program, Hands-On Internet of Things .

3 types of IoT applications

Billions of devices are connected to the internet, collecting and sharing information with one another. They range from smart home setups like cooking appliances and smoke detectors to military-grade surveillance equipment. The list below outlines a few of the most common types of IoT applications.

1. Consumer IoT

Consumer IoT refers to personal and wearable devices that connect to the internet. These devices are often referred to as smart devices.

2. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

The industrial Internet of Things is the system of interconnected devices in the industrial sector. Manufacturing machinery and devices used for energy management are a part of the industrial Internet of Things. 

3. Commercial IoT

Commercial IoT refers to the tools and systems used outside of the home. For example, businesses and health care organizations leverage commercial IoT for auditable data trails and consumer management. 

How does IoT work?

The next few sections break down the components that make the Internet of Things work.

Internet of Things platform

An IoT platform manages device connectivity. It can be a software suite or a cloud service. The purpose of an IoT platform is to manage and monitor hardware, software, processing abilities, and application layers. 

Sensor technologies

IoT sensors, sometimes called smart sensors, convert real-world variables into data that devices can interpret and share. Many different types of sensors exist. For example, temperature sensors detect heat and convert temperature changes into data. Motion sensors detect movement by monitoring ultrasonic waves and triggering a desired action when those waves are interrupted. 

Unique identifiers

The core concept of the IoT is communication among devices and users. Unique identifiers (UIDs) establish the context of a device within the larger network to enable this communication. Identifiers are patterns, like numeric or alphanumeric strings. One example of a UID that you might be familiar with is an internet protocol (IP) address. They can identify a single device (instance identifier) or the class to which that device belongs (type identifier).

Internet connectivity

Sensors can connect to cloud platforms and other devices through a host of network protocols for the internet. This enables communication between devices. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning

Natural language processing (NLP) in IoT devices makes it easier for users to input information and interact with devices. One common example of an IoT device that utilizes NLP technology is the Amazon Alexa. Machine learning also enhances the analytical capabilities of IoT devices.

If you're interested in starting or advancing your IoT career , sharpening your AI skills can help you become a stronger job candidate. Consider trying out an online program like IBM's AI Foundations for Everyone Specialization .

Edge computing

Edge computing is a computing framework. It aims to conserve resources and speed up response time by moving computational resources like data storage closer to the data source. The IoT accomplishes this by utilizing edge devices like IoT gateways.

Benefits of the Internet of Things

Before the introduction of the IoT, devices could only collect and share information with human interaction. Today, the IoT enables lower operational costs, increased safety and productivity, and overall improved customer experience. Here are a few notable pros of the Internet of Things:

Automation. Removing the need to perform mundane tasks like turning the thermostat on and off or locking doors increases efficiency and quality of life.

Conservation. Automation makes it easier to manage energy consumption and water usage without human oversight or error.

Big data analytics. Information that was previously difficult to collect and analyze can be tracked effortlessly with the Internet of Things.

You can learn more about how the IoT benefits certain industries in the sections below. 

The Internet of Things in health care

The IoT helps decrease the need for traditional record-keeping and protects patients with real-time alerts. For example, glucose monitors can alert the patient or caretaker when glucose levels become problematic and prompt the appropriate action.

The Internet of Things in business

The IoT is essential to business. It makes it possible to collect and analyze massive amounts of data in real time. IoT devices also enable automation. They allow people to gain more control over their environments, health, and even safety. For example, smart home security systems can automatically assess threats like burglary or carbon monoxide poisoning and call for help.

Potential drawbacks of IoT

Managing large amounts of data poses certain risks and disadvantages. For example, more IoT devices mean more human intervention through network and device monitoring. Some security researchers believe that cybersecurity professionals may face an increased workload as the IoT grows. Here are a few more potential drawbacks of the Internet of Things:

Privacy concerns. It can be challenging to protect the data mined by IoT devices. Increased tracking threatens the confidentiality of the information we share over the internet.

Security issues. Individual device security is left up to the manufacturers. Wireless network security could become compromised if manufacturers do not prioritize security measures.

Bandwidth. Too many connected devices on a shared network results in slow internet speeds.

Many different career paths exist for someone who wants to work with the IoT. You can learn about a few of the most common job titles with the list below.

Technical IoT project manager. Technical IoT project managers provide organizations with technical expertise and team leadership. They also design and implement new methods to increase efficiency.

Read more: What is a Technical Project Manager + How Do You Become One?

IoT architect. IoT architects design and create IoT solutions to solve business problems. 

Read more: What Are Embedded Systems (+ How to Work with Them)

IoT engineer. IoT engineers develop and manage IoT hardware, software, platforms, and systems. 

Do you want to learn more about IoT development or prepare for a career in IoT? You can enroll for free today with An Introduction to Programming the IoT , an online specialization from the University of California Irvine.

Learn more about IoT on Coursera 

Deepen your knowledge of the skills and tools that enable the Internet of Things, or start learning them today with these top-rated courses on Coursera:

For an introductory course, start with the University of California, Irvine's Introduction to the Internet of Things and Embedded systems . In just 11 hours, you'll learn the importance of IoT in society, the components of a typical IoT device, and common IoT design considerations. Best of all, if you enjoy the course, you'll be on your way to completing a specialization in the field.

To learn how to build your own IoT device, try the University of California, Irvine's An Introduction to Programming the Internet of Things (IoT) Specialization . Here, in just two months, you'll learn how to design, create, and deploy your own IoT device by using Arduino and Raspberry Pi platforms coded with C and Python.

To enhance your IoT cybersecurity skills, explore the University System of Georgia's Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things . In 11 hours, you'll explore some of the security and privacy issues facing IoT devices used by industrial sectors, homeowners, and consumers today.

Keep reading

Jessica schulze.

Jessica is a technical writer who specializes in computer science and information technology. Equipp...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

Does your house have a smart thermostat? Or maybe you’re one of the one in three Americans who wears a fitness tracker to help you stay physically active. If you do, you are tapping into the Internet of Things, or IoT. It’s become embedded in our lives, as well as in the way organizations operate.

Get to know and directly engage with senior McKinsey experts on the Internet of Things.

Cindy Levy is a senior partner in McKinsey’s London office; Enno de Boer is a senior partner in the New Jersey office; Gérard Richter is a senior partner in the Frankfurt office; Mark Patel  is a senior partner in the Bay Area office; and Matteo Mancini is a senior partner in the Riyadh office.

IoT uses a variety of technologies to connect the digital and physical worlds. Physical objects can be embedded with sensors and actuators. Sensors monitor things like temperature or motion, or really any change in environment. Actuators receive signals from sensors and then react to the reported changes. Sensors and actuators communicate with computing systems via wired (for example, Ethernet) or wireless (for example, Wi-Fi or cellular) networks; these computers can monitor or manage the health and actions of connected objects and machines.

The constant connectivity that IoT enables, combined with data and analytics, provides new opportunities for companies to innovate products and services, as well as to increase operational efficiency. Indeed, IoT has emerged  as one of today’s most significant trends in the digital transformation of business and economies. Challenges abound, particularly when it comes to IoT cybersecurity, but we estimate the total value potential for the IoT ecosystem could reach $12.6 trillion  by 2030.

What is an IoT device?

An IoT device is any object that has sensors and actuators embedded within it that communicate to an external network. Broadly, IoT devices are used in the following nine fields :

• Human bodies. Devices can be attached to or implanted in the human body, including wearable or ingestible devices that monitor or maintain health and wellness , assist in managing diseases such as diabetes, and more.
• Homes. Homeowners can install devices such as home voice assistants, automated vacuum cleaners , or security systems.
• Retail environments. Devices can be installed in stores , banks, restaurants, and arenas to facilitate self-checkout, extend in-store offers, or help optimize inventory.
• Offices. IoT applications in offices could entail energy management  or security for buildings.
• Standardized production environments. In such settings, including manufacturing plants , hospitals, or farms, IoT applications are usually aimed at increasing operating efficiencies or optimizing equipment use.
• Custom production environments. In customized settings, like those in mining, construction, or oil and gas exploration and production, IoT applications might be used in predictive maintenance  or health and safety efforts .
• Vehicles. IoT can help with condition-based maintenance, usage-based design, or presales analytics for cars and trucks , ships, airplanes, and trains.
• Cities. IoT applications can be used for adaptive traffic control, smart meters, environmental monitoring, or managing resources .
• Outside. In urban environments or other outdoor settings, such as railroad tracks, autonomous vehicles, or flight navigation, IoT applications could involve real-time routing, connected navigation, or shipment tracking.

Other real-world examples abound . IoT solutions are being used in a wide variety of settings: in refrigerators, to help restaurants optimize their food compliance processes; in fields and farms, to track livestock; in offices, to track how many and how often meeting rooms are used; and more.

Introducing McKinsey Explainers : Direct answers to complex questions

Learn more about our Digital McKinsey ,  Technology, Media & Telecommunications , and  Industrials & Electronics  Practices.

What is the economic potential of IoT?

The potential value of IoT is large and growing. By 2030, we estimate it could amount to up to $12.5 trillion globally . That includes the value captured by consumers and customers of IoT products and services.

The potential economic value of IoT varies by usage context. IoT applications in factories and in human health contexts represent outsize shares of this total. IoT in factories alone could generate up to $3.3 trillion by 2030, or just over a quarter of the total value potential. IoT economic impact in human health settings could reach about one sixth of the total estimated value.

Another way of looking at IoT’s value is to explore use case clusters , or similar uses adapted to different settings. The following common use cases account for a sizable share of IoT’s potential economic value:

• optimizing operations, or making the various day-to-day management of assets and people more efficient (41 percent)
• healthcare applications (15 percent)
• human productivity (15 percent)
• condition-based maintenance (12 percent)

Other clusters include sales enablement, energy management, autonomous vehicles (the fastest-growing cluster), and safety and security.

What are IoT platforms?

To get value from IoT, it helps to have a platform  to create and manage applications, to run analytics, and to store and secure your data. Essentially, these platforms do a lot of things in the background to make life easier and less expensive for developers, managers, and users. They handle issues like connecting and extracting data from many different end points, which might be in inconvenient locations with spotty connectivity.

Which IoT platform you select should depend on what your company is trying to achieve with IoT. Here are five things to consider when evaluating IoT platforms :

• Applications environment. Here, you might examine questions like: Can the platform develop, test, and maintain multiple applications? Can it connect easily to the applications my company already uses?
• Data management. It’s helpful to understand if the platform can structure and join multiple unfamiliar data sets, for example.
• Ownership of cloud infrastructure. Does the infrastructure provider own and operate its own data centers, or which public cloud provider does it use? (See “ What is cloud computing? ” for more on this topic.)
• Security. What commercial-grade authentication, encryption, and monitoring capabilities does the platform have, and are they distinctive?
• Edge processing and control. Here, you could examine whether the platform can do edge analytics without first bringing data into the cloud, or whether it can be easily configured to control local assets without human intervention.

What are the key factors for a seamless IoT experience?

A seamless IoT experience meets the following six requirements , spanning enterprise and consumer use cases:

• Hyperconnected. Connectivity is seamless across a vast number of devices and sensors sharing data.
• Integrated. Integration within and across networks of devices is effortless, with simultaneous use of multiple connectivity standards, platforms, and back-end systems.
• Secure and trusted. Dynamic cybersecurity enables a high degree of trust in handling the multilayered complexity of both new and legacy solutions.
• Intelligent. Devices and systems have the intelligence—enabled by AI and machine learning—to draw insights from data and make real-time decisions. This allows for a leap from monitored to automated implementation.
• Mobile. Devices and networks require minimal maintenance, are battery efficient, and have a persona to allow for futuristic experiences.
• Hyperpersonalized. There are personalized experiences across platforms and scenarios.

What should I know about IoT security?

The billions of IoT devices in use have naturally created new vulnerabilities for companies. As more “things” get connected, the number of ways to attack them mushrooms. Pre-IoT, a large corporate network might have had 50,000 to 500,000 endpoints vulnerable to attack; IoT may involve a network with millions or tens of millions of these endpoints. In the 2022 McKinsey B2B IoT Survey, IoT solution suppliers and buyers ranked cybersecurity as the top impediment to IoT adoption.

Overcoming the cybersecurity obstacle may be the determining factor  in whether IoT will be able to transition to a truly integrated network—and achieve its massive value potential.

It’s important to address customer privacy concerns  vis-à-vis connected devices. But managing IoT cybersecurity  is also about protecting critical equipment, such as pacemakers or entire manufacturing plants—which, if attacked, could put customers’ health or companies’ production capabilities at risk.

Six recommendations can help CEOs and other leaders tackle IoT cybersecurity:

• understand what IoT security means for your industry and business model
• set clear roles and responsibilities for IoT security in your supply chain
• hold strategic conversations with other industry players, including regulators
• prioritize cybersecurity for the entire product life cycle
• transform mindsets and skills
• create a point-of-contact system for external security researchers and implement a postbreach response plan

Learn more about our Digital McKinsey ,  Technology, Media & Telecommunications , Risk & Resilience , and People & Organizational  Practices.

What is IIoT?

The Industrial Internet of Things , or IIoT, is among the advanced manufacturing technologies collectively referred to as Industry 4.0 , or the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

What are some benefits of IIoT technologies? They can drastically reduce downtime, open up new business models, and improve customer experiences—and they can also make organizations more resilient. In the COVID-19 era, for example, digital management tools and constant connectivity allowed some companies to quickly respond to market changes by adjusting production capacity and simultaneously supporting remote operations.

Companies using IIoT for digital transformation  in manufacturing can follow seven guideposts to align their business, organization, and technology spheres to reap the full benefits from IIoT:

• identify and prioritize use cases
• focus on plant rollout and enablement
• monitor change and performance management
• build capabilities and embrace new ways of working
• attend to IIoT and data infrastructure, with a focus on core platform design and cybersecurity
• choose an IIoT cloud platform
• monitor the tech ecosystem

What could affect IoT adoption?

When it comes to getting more value from IoT, there are tailwinds as well as headwinds that will affect IoT adoption.

Three factors could accelerate the adoption and impact of IoT solutions:

• Perceived value proposition. Customers see value in IoT and the way it enables digital transformation and sustainability efforts.
• Technology. Affordable technology, which enables IoT deployments at scale, exists for the vast majority of IoT applications. Progress in hardware can be coupled with developments in analytics, AI, and machine learning, which can enable more granular insights and faster decision making.
• Networks. These are the backbone of IoT, and higher-performing 4G and 5G  networks are now available to more people.

Conversely, a variety of factors could constrain adoption. These include the need for new avenues of collaboration across functions, interoperability issues, and installation challenges, as well as concerns about cybersecurity  and individual privacy.

If your organization is just getting started, it can be helpful to consider what could accelerate enterprise IoT journeys . In a McKinsey interview, Wienke Giezeman, a serial tech entrepreneur and initiator of The Things Network, offers insight on what can drive action: “We’ve seen this in the industry again and again—you cannot solve IoT problems with money. It’s so tempting to try to solve these problems with cash, but really, it’s the creativity and pushing for simplicity that leads to the solution.”

Learn more about our Digital McKinsey ,  Technology, Media & Telecommunications , and  Operations  Practices.

How can IoT efforts be scaled?

To really see the benefits of IoT, companies should embrace the technology at scale, rather than make one-off efforts. If your organization is adopting IoT, here are seven useful actions for scaling IoT :

• Decide who owns IoT in the organization
• Design for scale from the start
• Don’t dip your toe in the water—deploying multiple use cases can be a forcing mechanism in transforming operating models, workflows, and processes
• Invest in technical talent
• Change the entire organization, not just the IT function
• Push for interoperability
• Proactively shape your environment by building and controlling IoT ecosystems

For more in-depth exploration of these topics, see McKinsey’s Insights on the Internet of Things . Learn more about IoT consulting —and check out IoT-related job opportunities  if you’re interested in working at McKinsey.

Articles referenced:

• “ Cloud-powered technologies for sustainability ,” November 9, 2023, Bernardo Betley, Tommaso Cariati, Fan Gao , Eric Hannon , Cindy Levy , Francesco Parente, and Julyeon Seo
• “ Cybersecurity for the IoT: How trust can unlock value ,” April 7, 2023, Jeffrey Caso, Zina Cole, Mark Patel , and Wendy Zhu
• “ IoT comes of age ,” March 7, 2022, Michael Chui  and  Mark Collins
• “ IoT value set to accelerate through 2030: Where and how to capture it ,” November 9, 2021, Michael Chui , Mark Collins , and Mark Patel
• “ A manufacturer’s guide to scaling Industrial IoT ,” February 5, 2021, Andreas Behrendt ,  Enno de Boer , Tarek Kasah, Bodo Koerber,  Niko Mohr , and  Gérard Richter  
• “ Industry 4.0 adoption with the right focus ,” October 21, 2021, Matteo Mancini ,  Gustavo Marteletti ,  Alpesh Patel ,  Laura Requeno , and  Tingfeng Ye

This article was updated in May 2024; it was originally published in August 2022.

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The Internet of Things (IoT): An Overview

Understanding the Issues and Challenges of a More Connected World

On 15 October 2015 the Internet Society published this 50-page whitepaper providing an overview of the IoT and exploring related issues and challenges. You may download the complete document at the link above. The Executive Summary is included below to provide a preview of the full document.

Learn more about  our work to strengthen the security and resiliency of the Internet .

This IoT Overview whitepaper is also available in Russian  and in Spanish .

Executive Summary

The Internet of Things is an emerging topic of technical, social, and economic significance. Consumer products, durable goods, cars and trucks, industrial and utility components, sensors, and other everyday objects are being combined with Internet connectivity and powerful data analytic capabilities that promise to transform the way we work, live, and play. Projections for the impact of IoT on the Internet and economy are impressive, with some anticipating as many as 100 billion connected IoT devices and a global economic impact of more than $11 trillion by 2025.

At the same time, however, the Internet of Things raises significant challenges that could stand in the way of realizing its potential benefits. Attention-grabbing headlines about the hacking of Internet-connected devices, surveillance concerns, and privacy fears already have captured public attention. Technical challenges remain and new policy, legal and development challenges are emerging.

This overview document is designed to help the Internet Society community navigate the dialogue surrounding the Internet of Things in light of the competing predictions about its promises and perils. The Internet of Things engages a broad set of ideas that are complex and intertwined from different perspectives. Key concepts that serve as a foundation for exploring the opportunities and challenges of IoT include:

• IoT Definitions: The term Internet of Things generally refers to scenarios where network connectivity and computing capability extends to objects, sensors and everyday items not normally considered computers, allowing these devices to generate, exchange and consume data with minimal human intervention. There is, however, no single, universal definition.
• Enabling Technologies: The concept of combining computers, sensors, and networks to monitor and control devices has existed for decades. The recent confluence of several technology market trends, however, is bringing the Internet of Things closer to widespread reality. These include Ubiquitous Connectivity , Widespread Adoption of IP-based Networking , Computing Economics , Miniaturization , Advances in Data Analytics , and the Rise of Cloud Computing .
• Connectivity Models : IoT implementations use different technical communications models, each with its own characteristics. Four common communications models described by the Internet Architecture Board include: Device-to-Device, Device-to-Cloud, Device-to-Gateway , and Back-End Data-Sharing . These models highlight the flexibility in the ways that IoT devices can connect and provide value to the user.
• Transformational Potential: If the projections and trends towards IoT become reality, it may force a shift in thinking about the implications and issues in a world where the most common interaction with the Internet comes from passive engagement with connected objects rather than active engagement with content. The potential realization of this outcome – a “hyperconnected world” — is testament to the general-purpose nature of the Internet architecture itself, which does not place inherent limitations on the applications or services that can make use of the technology.

Five key IoT issue areas are examined to explore some of the most pressing challenges and questions related to the technology. These include security; privacy; interoperability and standards; legal, regulatory, and rights; and emerging economies and development.

While security considerations are not new in the context of information technology, the attributes of many IoT implementations present new and unique security challenges. Addressing these challenges and ensuring security in IoT products and services must be a fundamental priority.Users need to trust that IoT devices and related data services are secure from vulnerabilities, especially as this technology become more pervasive and integrated into our daily lives. Poorly secured IoT devices and services can serve as potential entry points for cyber attack and expose user data to theft by leaving data streams inadequately protected.

The interconnected nature of IoT devices means that every poorly secured device that is connected online potentially affects the security and resilience of the Internet globally. This challenge is amplified by other considerations like the mass-scale deployment of homogenous IoT devices, the ability of some devices to automatically connect to other devices, and the likelihood of fielding these devices in unsecure environments.

As a matter of principle, developers and users of IoT devices and systems have a collective obligation to ensure they do not expose users and the Internet itself to potential harm. Accordingly, a collaborative approach to security will be needed to develop effective and appropriate solutions to IoT security challenges that are well suited to the scale and complexity of the issues.

The full potential of the Internet of Things depends on strategies that respect individual privacy choices across a broad spectrum of expectations. The data streams and user specificity afforded by IoT devices can unlock incredible and unique value to IoT users, but concerns about privacy and potential harms might hold back full adoption of the Internet of Things. This means that privacy rights and respect for user privacy expectations are integral to ensuring user trust and confidence in the Internet, connected devices, and related services.

Indeed, the Internet of Things is redefining the debate about privacy issues, as many implementations can dramatically change the ways personal data is collected, analyzed, used, and protected. For example, IoT amplifies concerns about the potential for increased surveillance and tracking, difficulty in being able to opt out of certain data collection, and the strength of aggregating IoT data streams to paint detailed digital portraits of users. While these are important challenges, they are not insurmountable. In order to realize the opportunities, strategies will need to be developed to respect individual privacy choices across a broad spectrum of expectations, while still fostering innovation in new technology and services.

Interoperability / Standards

A fragmented environment of proprietary IoT technical implementations will inhibit value for users and industry. While full interoperability across products and services is not always feasible or necessary, purchasers may be hesitant to buy IoT products and services if there is integration inflexibility, high ownership complexity, and concern over vendor lock-in.

In addition, poorly designed and configured IoT devices may have negative consequences for the networking resources they connect to and the broader Internet. Appropriate standards, reference models, and best practices also will help curb the proliferation of devices that may act in disrupted ways to the Internet. The use of generic, open, and widely available standards as technical building blocks for IoT devices and services (such as the Internet Protocol) will support greater user benefits, innovation, and economic opportunity.

Legal, Regulatory and Rights

The use of IoT devices raises many new regulatory and legal questions as well as amplifies existing legal issues around the Internet. The questions are wide in scope, and the rapid rate of change in IoT technology frequently outpaces the ability of the associated policy, legal, and regulatory structures to adapt.

One set of issues surrounds crossborder data flows, which occur when IoT devices collect data about people in one jurisdiction and transmit it to another jurisdiction with different data protection laws for processing. Further, data collected by IoT devices is sometimes susceptible to misuse, potentially causing discriminatory outcomes for some users. Other legal issues with IoT devices include the conflict between law enforcement surveillance and civil rights; data retention and destruction policies; and legal liability for unintended uses, security breaches or privacy lapses.

While the legal and regulatory challenges are broad and complex in scope, adopting the guiding Internet Society principles of promoting a user’s ability to connect, speak, innovate, share, choose , and trust are core considerations for evolving IoT laws and regulations that enable user rights.

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Essay on Internet of Things

Students are often asked to write an essay on Internet of Things in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Internet of Things

Introduction to iot.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects, such as cars, home appliances, and other items, embedded with sensors and software to connect and exchange data over the internet.

How IoT Works

IoT works by allowing objects to be sensed and controlled remotely across network infrastructure. This promotes improved efficiency and accuracy, and economic benefit.

IoT in Everyday Life

In everyday life, IoT can be found in things like smart homes where appliances are connected to the internet, or wearable fitness devices that track health data.

IoT is revolutionizing our world by making our lives more connected, efficient, and informed.

250 Words Essay on Internet of Things

Introduction, the concept of iot.

IoT devices, embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies, gather and exchange data, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of information flow. These devices range from everyday household items like refrigerators and thermostats to industrial machinery. IoT is a cornerstone of smart homes, cities, healthcare, transportation, and more, transforming the way we live and work.

Benefits and Challenges

IoT offers numerous benefits such as improved efficiency, convenience, and decision-making. However, it also presents challenges, particularly concerning security and privacy. The vast amount of data generated by IoT devices can be exploited if not properly secured, raising significant privacy concerns.

The Future of IoT

The future of IoT is promising, with advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning expected to further enhance its capabilities. However, for IoT to reach its full potential, it is crucial to address its challenges and develop robust security measures. In conclusion, IoT is not just a technological trend but a significant driver of the fourth industrial revolution, reshaping our lives and societies in profound ways.

500 Words Essay on Internet of Things

Introduction to the internet of things.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a revolutionary concept that has transformed the digital landscape. It refers to the network of physical devices, vehicles, appliances, and other objects embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity, which allows these objects to connect and exchange data.

The Mechanism of IoT

IoT works through a simple yet effective process. Each IoT device is embedded with a sensor that collects data from the environment. This data is then sent over the internet to a specific destination, usually a cloud-based application, for processing. The processed information is used to make informed decisions, either manually or automatically. The core technologies driving IoT include embedded systems, wireless sensor networks, automation technologies, and computer networking.

Applications of IoT

Smart homes, another popular application of IoT, use devices such as smart thermostats and automated lighting systems to improve energy efficiency and convenience. In industrial settings, IoT facilitates predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and improved operational efficiency.

Potential and Future of IoT

The potential for IoT is immense. As per Gartner’s prediction, there will be 25 billion connected devices by 2021, indicating a significant growth in IoT applications. The future of IoT lies in its convergence with other technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). AI and ML can enhance the capabilities of IoT devices by enabling them to learn from the data they collect and make intelligent decisions.

Challenges and Concerns

Interoperability is another challenge. With numerous manufacturers producing IoT devices, ensuring these devices can communicate effectively with each other is crucial. Lastly, the issue of data overload needs to be addressed. With billions of devices generating data, managing, storing, and processing this data is a significant challenge.

The Internet of Things represents a significant shift in how we interact with technology. It offers immense potential for enhancing productivity, efficiency, and convenience across various sectors. However, it also presents challenges that need to be addressed to fully realize its potential. As we continue to innovate and advance, the IoT will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping our digital future.

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What is the Internet of Things? WIRED explains

Smart toasters , connected rectal thermometers and fitness collars for dogs are just some of the everyday "dumb items" being connected to the web as part of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Connected machines and objects in factories offer the potential for a 'fourth industrial revolution' , and experts predict more than half of new businesses will run on the IoT by 2020.

Here's everything you need to know about the increasingly connected world.

In the broadest sense, the term IoT encompasses everything connected to the internet, but it is increasingly being used to define objects that "talk" to each other. "Simply, the Internet of Things is made up of devices – from simple sensors to smartphones and wearables – connected together," Matthew Evans, the IoT programme head at techUK , says.

By combining these connected devices with automated systems, it is possible to "gather information, analyse it and create an action" to help someone with a particular task, or learn from a process. In reality, this ranges from smart mirrors to beacons in shops and beyond.

"It's about networks, it's about devices, and it's about data," Caroline Gorski, the head of IoT at Digital Catapult explains. IoT allows devices on closed private internet connections to communicate with others and "the Internet of Things brings those networks together. It gives the opportunity for devices to communicate not only within close silos but across different networking types and creates a much more connected world."

An argument has been raised that only because something can be connected to the internet doesn't mean it should be, but each device collects data for a specific purpose that may be useful to a buyer and impact the wider economy.

Within industrial applications, sensors on product lines can increase efficiency and cut down on waste. One study estimates 35 per cent of US manufacturers are using data from smart sensors within their set-ups already. US firm Concrete Sensors has created a device that can be inserted into concrete to provide data on the material's condition, for instance.

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"IoT offers us opportunity to be more efficient in how we do things, saving us time, money and often emissions in the process," Evans says. It allows companies, governments and public authorities to re-think how they deliver services and produce goods.

"The quality and scope of the data across the Internet of Things generates an opportunity for much more contextualised and responsive interactions with devices to create a potential for change," continued Gorski. It "doesn't stop at a screen".

Even those who have purchased one of the myriad smart home products – from lightbulbs, switches, to motion sensors – will attest to the fact IoT is in its infancy. Products don't always easily connect to each other and there are significant security issues that need to be addressed.

A report from Samsung says the need to secure every connected device by 2020 is "critical". The firm's Open Economy document says "there is a very clear danger that technology is running ahead of the game". The firm said more than 7.3 billion devices will need to be made secure by their manufacturers before 2020.

“We are looking at a future in which companies will indulge in digital Darwinism, using IoT, AI and machine learning to rapidly evolve in a way we’ve never seen before," Brian Solis, from Altimeter Group, who helped on the research said.

IoT botnets, created using a network of out-of-date devices took large websites and services offline in 2016. A Chinese firm later recalled 4.3 million unsecured connected cameras. The ease of bringing down the internet using IoT devices was revealed when instead of malicious purposes, the botnet was revealed to have been created to game Minecraft .

Everything that's connected to the internet can be hacked, IoT products are no exception to this unwritten rule. Insecure IoT systems led to toy manufacturer VTech losing videos and pictures of children using its connected devices.

There's also the issue of surveillance. If every product becomes connected then there's the potential for unbridled observation of users. If a connected fridge tracks food usage and consumption, takeaways could be targeted at hungry people who have no food. If a smartwatch can detect when you're having sex, what is to stop people with that data using it against the watches' wearer.

“In the future, intelligence services might use the [internet of things] for identification, surveillance, monitoring, location tracking, and targeting for recruitment, or to gain access to networks or user credentials,” James Clapper, the US direction or national intelligence said in 2016. Wikileaks later claimed the CIA has been developing security exploits for a connected Samsung TV.

At the centre of creating a vast, reliable IoT network lies one significant issue: compatible standards. Connected objects need to be able to speak to each other to transfer data and share what they are recording. If they all run on different standards, they struggle to communicate and share. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Standards Association lists a huge number of standards being developed and worked on for different applications.

"Additional needs are emerging for standardisation," the Internet Society says . If standardisation happens it will let more devices and applications be connected.

To try and tackle this issue on an enterprise scale, Microsoft has introduced its own system for IoT devices. Called IoT Central, TechCrunch , reports the system gives businesses a managed central platform for setting up IoT devices. Microsoft claims the system will simply the creation of IoT networks.

Gorski described IoT, even among those with the most experience of the concept, as a "relatively immature market" but said 2016 may have been a turning point. The Hypercat standard is now supported by ARM, Intel, Amey, Bae Systems and Accenture and the firms are currently agreeing on a format for "exposing collections" of URLs, for example.

"In the short term, we know [IoT] will impact on anything where there is a high cost of not intervening," Evans said. "And it’ll be for simpler day-to-day issues – like finding a car parking space in busy areas, linking up your home entertainment system and using your fridge webcam to check if you need more milk on the way home.

"Ultimately what makes it exciting is that we don’t yet know the exact use cases and just that it has the potential to have a major impact on our lives."

This article was originally published in January 2017. It has since been updated with further IoT information.

This article was originally published by WIRED UK

Researching the Internet of Things (IoT) Essay

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Introduction

Internet of things (iot), importance of switching to dynamic databases, switching to dynamic databases for competitive advantage.

Contemporary advancements in the sphere of technology and innovation rapidly integrate the Internet of Things (IoT) into the daily lives of individuals and businesses. The growing requirements for convenience and practicality of processing big data instantaneously require firms’ adjustment of their database solutions. In this regard, alternating from conventional structured databases to dynamic ones would allow for broadening the scope of the information systems’ functionality and provide more efficiency for processing and a higher level of competitiveness for organizations.

IoT is a new reality in the modern world of business due to the reliance of technological and innovative industries on IoT. According to Laghari et al. (2021), IoT’s impact on the effectiveness of business solutions is pivotal in the modern world due to the advancement of automation and remote relations of human-human and human-device interactions. In particular, IoT is a newly emerged ecosystem that emphasizes the importance of processing and exchanging big data fast to ensure instant connectivity between the parties involved in the data exchange process (Laghari et al., 2021). To enable the functionality of IoT, instant access to dynamically changing data should be provided. In particular, “the connectivity, networking, and communication protocols used with web-enabled devices are highly dependent on the specific IoT (internet of things) applications implemented” (Laghari et al., 2021, p. 94150). Such applications allow for broadening the opportunities for business growth in a long-term perspective.

The importance of switching to dynamic databases for eHermes is validated by the organization’s need to improve its data exchange solutions to complete its business tasks. Overall, IoT requires improved connectivity between databases, users, and devices (Laghari et al., 2021). Furthermore, the shift is justified by the importance of web-enabled devices’ instant functioning within the scope of IoT ecosystems. Moreover, the growing relevance of big data in contemporary technological and innovative industries necessitates updating databases toward dynamic characteristics, which requires qualitative changes in data particularities (Subahi, 2019. In addition, a specific vision of eHermes in relation to the broadened abilities of the security-related functions justifies the relevance and benefit of dynamic databases.

Features of MongoDB

One of the dynamic database solutions that might help eHermes improve its functionality and meet its requirements related to instantaneous security video footage processing is MongoDB. It is “an open-source document database that provides high performance, high availability, and automatic scaling” (Chauhan, 2019, p. 90). This database is characterized by a variety of benefits that might increase the productivity of eHermes’ systems. Indeed, MongoDB has deep query ability, which is essential for video data extraction (Chauhan, 2019). In addition, it provides opportunities for the safe storing of data in internal memory, as well as simple processing of big data, which is essential in the context of IoT ecosystems. Ultimately, it is characterized by high performance and the possibility of user and content management.

The decision-makers at eHermes should consider switching to dynamic databases in general and MongoDB in particular due to such a decision’s significant contribution to the organization’s competitive advantage. In particular, eHermes will be able to increase the efficiency of data processing, access big data that changes frequently, and ensure faster technological solutions, which will allow for outperforming competitors (Subahi, 2019). Furthermore, dynamic databases will allow for the prioritization of customer needs and improve the liquidity of business in the IoT context

In summation, the advancement of IoT technology in modern innovation requires changing structured databases to dynamic ones. Businesses’ dependence on dynamic data and big data’s availability requires technological decision-making. It is recommended to shift to MongoDB due to its multiple benefits. It will allow eHermes to make a contribution to business liquidity and improve its competitive advantage.

Chauhan, A. (2019). A review on various aspects of MongoDB databases. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 8 (05), 90-92.

Laghari, A. A., Wu, K., Laghari, R. A., Ali, M., & Khan, A. A. (2021). A review and state of art of Internet of Things (IoT). Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering, 2021 , 1-19.

Subahi, A. F. (2019). Edge-based IoT medical record system: Requirements, recommendations and conceptual design. IEEE Access, 7 , 94150-94159.

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Bibliography

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The Internet of Things (IoT)

Introduction.

Technology has become vital in maintaining effective organizational operations in every firm. Many organizations have adopted the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance communication between various devices and the cloud. The technology is among the essential technologies used in the twenty-first century. IoT has an interesting development history, and it has impacted how people live and interact. Moreover, several major companies, such as Airbus, have adapted the technology for operations efficiency. Additionally, the Covid-19 pandemic impacted IoT significantly. This paper evaluates various IoT aspects, including; its history and impact on people and companies like Airbus, and assesses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the technology.

IoT Definition and History

IoT is a communication enhancer between various devices. The technology can be described as a physical objects network, with devices embedded with software, sensors, and other technologies, facilitating data exchange between systems and devices over the internet (Turban et al., 2018). IoT existed before its official institution in 1999. A glimpse of IoT in the mid-1980s was a machine from the Coca-Cola Company at Carnegie Mellon University. Software engineers used the technology to verify drink accessibility and temperature. However, the technology became rampant in 1999 when Kevin Ashton instituted it. Ashton, who was working at Proctor and Gamble in the supply chain advancement department, invented the technology when trying to convince his company’s leadership of an innovation called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) (Dhinakaran, 2019). Ashton created a solid foundation of IoT, which has advanced to date.

IoT gained familiarity in the 2000s. Companies like Google incorporated technology to create better products in late 2010. Additionally, the Chinese government incorporated the technology in its five-year development plan. Over time, IoT became an agenda in big internet gatherings, such as Europe’s LeWeb, and magazines like Forbes, Wiring, and Fast Company. Reports at the time indicated that IoT would be a market worth over eight trillion dollars by 2020, an aspect ascertained by the multiple corporations embracing the technology. IoT is still relatively new, but organizations and society are embracing technology more and more every day (Dhinakaran, 2019). IoT applications’ potential is only limited by human imagination, and the technology’s future is bright.

IoT impact on People’s Lives

IoT can have a potential impact on how people live. IoT has the potential to impact people’s lives in various aspects, such as; healthcare, agriculture, and wearable technology, among other benefits. The healthcare industry can benefit from the technology by enhancing patient care and improving patients’ quality of life (Kumar et al., 2017). The goal can be achieved by embedding actuators and sensors in patients’ medicine for tracking and monitoring. Additionally, IoT improves patients’ lives at reduced costs since doctors can perform non-invasive assessments on their patients. Secondly, IoT has a potential impact on how people do agriculture. The global population has increased over time, and traditional methods of agriculture cannot satisfy society’s food needs. IoT has created the opportunity for agricultural modernization, an essential aspect of creating food security. For instance, the greenhouse monitoring system facilitates scientific management methods implementation, enabling increased production and crop disaster prevention (Kumar et al., 2017). Therefore, people have access to enough healthy foods.

IoT has impacted people’s lives through wearable technology. Most wearable products have evolved, offering better integrations and designs compatible with different systems. Therefore, People can track various patterns in their lives, such as; sleeping patterns, workouts progress, and blood pressure, among others. Moreover, wearable devices can connect one to social media accounts and track information, which helps improve an individual’s life. Last but not least, IoT helps in grocery monitoring. Living a good life has become expensive, and people are often busy doing one thing or another to keep up with changes. As a result, groceries and other items may deplete unknowingly; hence the importance of an automated monitoring system, a product of IoT technology (Dian et al., 2020; Salah & Khan, 2019). The highlighted examples depict IoT’s potential impact on people’s lives.

IoT’s Benefits on Airbus

Airbus is one of the firms which have significantly benefited from incorporating IoT in its operational processes. The firm is one of the biggest multinational European aerospace corporations. Additionally, Airbus is a market leader in aerospace products designing and manufacturing (Airbus, n.d). Communication and data exchange are essential aspects in a firm such as; Airbus, with a high magnitude of operations and employees. Therefore incorporating IoT has resulted in operations costs reduction and enhanced efficiency, mobility, and consumer satisfaction.

Airbus has incorporated and benefited from IoT in several ways. The company’s aircraft technicians are equipped with wearable technology and smart tools, such as; virtual-reality glasses, which are internet-connected (Internet of Business, n.d). The machinery promotes simplicity, productivity, traceability, and quality across various tasks within the company. Examples of the tasks made easier by the IoT technology include; measuring, drilling, data logging, and clamping. Additionally, National Instruments (NI) and Airbus have combined efforts in developing hardware and software platforms that enable device coordination and control. For instance, image processing and acquisition through smart glasses involves data transfer to a clamping tool that understands an operator’s task requirements. The clamping tool, which is a smart technology, adjusts the collected information to fit an operator’s request, and the device stores the task’s results in a central database (Internet of Business, n.d). Therefore, IoT has positively impacted Airbus operations.

The Pandemic’s Impact on IoT

The pandemic promoted the need for IoT. Everything changed during the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing individuals and corporations to formulate survival strategies. Firstly, business stakeholders learned to meet and work virtually through IoT, incorporating the technology in their firms (Ghaleb et al., 2021). Secondly, IoT has become a vital incorporation in the healthcare sector globally. For instance, health workers applied IoT in performing contact tracing, which was essential in reducing the spread. IoT has sensors that can capture diverse volumes of granular data. The data can then be directed through a cloud using cellular routers to centralized servers, which would be analyzed to identify risk exposures and related Covid-19 factors. Moreover, patients could receive necessary medical advice without visiting hospitals through telemedicine. Thirdly, the pandemic forced people to work from home, and IoT was the perfect solution since most forms of Wi-Fi cannot meet corporate standards. IoT provides a secure and reliable cellular connection that is centrally managed. Furthermore, emergency service and traffic departments incorporated the technology to enable first responders to communicate and help infected patients and high-exposure communities (Ghaleb et al., 2021). Ultimately, the Covid-19 pandemic opened corporations’ and societies’ minds toward the need for IoT technology.

IoT is a technology that has benefited corporations and society in the past and present and has a high chance of being among the technologies that will dominate the future. The technology has evolved since the 1990s to become an essential component in today’s data exchange operations. Moreover, the technology has simplified people’s lives in various ways, including their interactions, farming methods, and healthcare patterns. Though relatively new, the pandemic significantly impacted the technology, with many people needing to interact without physical interactions. Therefore, IoT is essential to todays and future business frameworks.

Airbus. (n.d). Who We Are . Retrieved January 4, 2022, from Airbus: https://www.airbus.com/en/who-we-are#:~:text=Airbus%20is%20a%20global%20pioneer,customers%20on%20a%20worldwide%20scale.

Dhinakaran, D. S. (2019). Internet of Things (IOT) – What, Why, How, Present & Its Challenges. International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, 6 (11).

Dian, F. J., Vahidnia, R., & Rahmati, A. (2020). Wearables and the Internet of Things (IoT), Applications, Opportunities, and Challenges: A Survey. IEEE Access, 1 (1), 99.

Ghaleb, T. A., Bin-Thalab, R. A., & Alselwi, G. A. (2021). How Internet of Things Responds to the COVID-19 Pandemic. PeerJ Comput Sci , 7 .

Internet of Business. (n.d). 8 Real-World Examples of IoT in Business . Retrieved January 4, 2022, from Internet of Business: Internet of Business

Kumar, V., Kirti, & Sharma, A. K. (2017). Impact of Internet of Things on Society. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 5 (3).

Salah, U. M., & Khan, M. D. (2019). Kitchen Grocery Items Monitoring System Based on Internet of Things. International Journal of Computing and Network Technology, 7 (2).

Turban, E., Carol, P., & Wood, G. (2018). Information Technology for Management (11 ed.). Wiley.

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The Internet of Things: Totally New and A Hundred Years Old

The modern Internet of Things and E.M. Forster’s short story, “The Machine Stops”

The internet has altered our lives in important but intangible ways: how we make friends and maintain relationships, absorb news and information, consume entertainment, and more. Now its latest outgrowth, the Internet of Things (IoT), promises to monitor and control the actual physical states of our environment and our bodies. If this new connective web develops as expected, it will change the simple acts of daily life—switching on a light, setting a thermostat, and buying groceries—into something you do by tapping your smartphone. More deeply, it may improve the human lot, or possibly debase it.

As is true for any new technology, we cannot confidently predict all the changes the IoT will induce. But we can find guidance from the early 20th-century novelist E. M. Forster, author of Howards End and A Passage to India, who foresaw the possibility of a similar global web in his remarkable futuristic short story “The Machine Stops” (1909), in which technology supplies everything that humanity needs.

Forster disliked the automobiles and aircraft that represented the great technological change of his era. In 1908 he wrote “…if I live to be old I shall see the sky as pestilential as the roads… Science, instead of freeing man… is enslaving him to machines.” His reaction sets the tone of his story as an anti-Utopian work that projects a dystopic future. In the article “ Utopias in Negative ” in The Sewanee Review , the critic and political essayist George Woodcock calls “The Machine Stops” a significant forerunner of two important dystopic novels: Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We (1920) and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (1932).

Forster’s pessimistic stance in “The Machine Stops” relates to his famous dictum that urges us to “only connect.” This humanistic value, along with Forster’s personal fear that the rise of machines would crush “such a soul as mine,” shapes his commentary on what technology may do to people – a commentary worth reconsidering today.

Not that there are many similarities between Forster’s story and the initial version of the Internet of Things. When the British technologist Kevin Ashton coined the phrase “the Internet of Things” in 1999, it comprised one basic idea: tagging real objects, such as parts needed for an assembly line, with tiny wireless chips that could be sensed so that each “thing” could be tracked in space and time via the internet. Ashton saw the IoT as providing efficient management of resources and products with benefits for business and consumers. But later he found a broader meaning and impact from using computers to manipulate real things as well as data, writing :

We’re physical, and so is our environment. Our economy, society and survival aren’t based on ideas or information – they’re based on things. You can’t eat bits [or] burn them to stay warm… Ideas and information are important, but things matter much more.

Now we are managing real things in ways that begin to match Forster’s imagined world, for the IoT now includes devices that actively affect our environment, well-being, and privacy: remotely controlled light sources, thermostats that automatically set temperatures, cameras that monitor traffic or scrutinize our activities. One early developer of this technology, MIT engineering professor Sanjay Sarma, thinks that “every light bulb, fan, and device” will eventually become part of the IoT—and the trend is unmistakable. The estimated five billion internet-connected devices in use today are expected to mushroom to 25 billion or more by 2020, several times the global population, with no end in sight.

This growth reflects the fact that Google, Apple, and other corporations see the potential of the IoT and are exploring its possibilities, though not always successfully. The South Korean electronics company LG has long proposed an “internet refrigerator” that supposedly simplifies life by automatically ordering more milk or eggs when you run low, but LG has yet to develop this grand idea into a workable and practical appliance.

Other IoT devices however are successful, such as the internet thermostat made by Nest, a company that Google bought in 2014 for $3.2 billion. This device is touted as learning through use so that eventually it automatically sets the temperature inside a home according to its occupancy and time of day, to provide optimum comfort and savings on heating and cooling bills. After some initial problems, the thermostat now gets generally favorable ratings and has been shown to produce at least modest energy savings. Some 500,000 of these have been sold despite a much higher price than for conventional units.

The IoT is likewise a natural partner for a recent technological breakthrough, artificial illumination from light emitting diodes (LEDs). After research that led to a Nobel Prize in 2014, these solid state devices have become available as light sources that use little electricity, last for years, can provide colored or white light, and can be controlled over the internet. In homes, or in cities like Copenhagen—which is installing new urban LED lighting with built-in sensors—whole banks of LED illumination can be manipulated to set a mood, or to direct traffic as conditions change under real-time IoT control.

Placing the environmental factors of temperature and lighting within the IoT fits perfectly into what Forster projected in “The Machine Stops,” which is set in a future where humanity has abandoned the Earth’s surface for a technologically mediated existence. Like everyone else, Forster’s main character Vashti lives alone in an underground room that she leaves only rarely. That is because it supplies all her needs through a shadowy central intelligence and mechanism, the Machine.

The Machine provides lighting and ventilation for this underground world, and though people are physically separated in it, the Machine links them. Vashti’s room contains little, but as Forster writes, it puts her “in touch with all that she cared for in the world.” Using video and audio, she can chat with any individual or lecture to a group. For stimulation or relaxation, she can select literature or music through the Machine.

This social interaction and entertainment uncannily foreshadow much of what the internet offers today through Facebook, Skype, iTunes, and so on. But the Machine supplies far more, for it meets all humanity’s material wants, delivering meals, clothing or a hot or cold bath on request to each inhabitant. It also provides individualized medical diagnosis and care at need, through apparatus installed in each room.

Vashti fully accepts this isolated, inactive existence and is unaware of its physical and emotional cost to her and to humanity. She is a dwarfish “swaddled lump of flesh… with a face as white as a fungus.” Though she cares for her son Kuno, she resists direct contact with other people. The human touch has been stripped of affection and meaning, and sex is reduced to brief couplings arranged by the Machine for procreation.

Not everyone in the story, however, consents to this life. Kuno once defied the Machine to climb to the Earth’s surface, where he is amazed to see Nature and finally understands what humanity has lost. But the realization comes too late, for the Machine begins to malfunction. First there are breaks in the music it supplies, then its lighting, food, and medical services fail. In the final scene, the Machine utterly stops, leaving Vashti, Kuno, and crowds of helpless, anguished people to die in darkness. The only hope is that a few surviving humans can rebuild among Nature on the surface.

Forster’s story ends in destruction, but no matter where the IoT takes us, it will not lead humanity to underground catastrophe. To be optimistic, if the IoT were widely accepted and used with care, it could benefit humanity—or, used thoughtlessly, could reduce humanity’s potential. Neither will happen soon, but the seeds of the Machine’s abilities already exist within the internet and the IoT; for instance, in the fast, widespread distribution of material goods. Like Vashti in her underground room, many of us no longer buy items in a store and carry them home, but order them over the internet and await their delivery—and we do not have to wait long, as retailers like Amazon push for ever-faster delivery. The wait times will shrink even further when self-driving and self-flying delivery trucks and drones join the IoT.

The delivery culture extends to food. Ordering prepared food online is increasingly popular, which could have implications beyond just quickly getting a hot pizza. Online ordering of groceries is now available through efforts like Instacart, which can deliver within an hour in 15 cities. If IoT food delivery systems become truly effective, there could be broad benefits in addressing the uneven availability of food across the world, which contributes to what is seen as a looming crisis in global food insufficiency.

The roles of the internet and IoT in medicine are also growing. These services may never replace face-to-face meetings with a physician, but we are seeing the rise of remote consultations that include medical records and images such as MRI results; and medical devices such as pacemakers for heart patients that are monitored by wireless connection. Then there is the explosion of wearable personal devices, such as the Fitbit, that track activity levels, pulse rates, sleep habits, and so on. Wirelessly gathered and analyzed, this real time data can motivate greater personal health awareness and lead to better medical care.

These future possibilities have convinced observers like Ernie Hood, writing in Environmental Health Perspectives , that the IoT could carry humanity into a more sustainable world. But remembering Forster’s reservations about technology, we must also consider its darker and potentially dangerous effects.

Two possibilities are loss of privacy and actual physical intrusions into our lives. Even the seemingly innocuous Nest thermostat makes private information potentially vulnerable by tracking when a house is empty. More extreme is the scenario of a hacker accessing a wireless heart pacemaker, say, to gain medical information, or far-fetched but not impossible, to commit murder. And if entire IoT systems like city lighting were to suffer security breaches, the result could be widely hurtful as in Forster’s story. Seriously robust security is a necessity for the IoT.

Another issue: what ultimate authority controls the IoT? In “The Machine Stops” humanity has come to worship the Machine as God. Today, though some enthusiasts show a cult-like devotion to technology, we do not give it religious weight. But in ceding our lives to the IoT, are we really ceding them to Google, as noted by Joseph Janes in his piece “ Google Stops ”? Or are we surrendering them to an even greater techno-corporate “God” that has come to be called simply GAFA: Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon.

The least predictable aspect of the IoT is how human nature will deal with it. In Forster’s story, Vashti—stunted, fungus-white, never having seen the sun—represents a humanity that has replaced an active natural life with a passive artificial one enabled by technology. Today, when food insufficiency exists alongside obesity; when people in some cultures must work hard to survive while in other cultures exercise is optional (and often spurned), will a push button, finger swipe IoT bring an equitable distribution of all that humanity needs?; or will it make a world where we abandon the couch or computer screen only to take the latest drone delivery at the front door.

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Internet Of Things - Essay Examples And Topic Ideas For Free

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the interconnection of devices and systems through the internet, enabling data sharing and automation. Essays on IoT could discuss its applications across various industries, the technological innovations driving IoT, challenges such as security and privacy, and its potential to revolutionize everyday life. We’ve gathered an extensive assortment of free essay samples on the topic of Internet Of Things you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

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A Comparitive Study of LTE Based M M Communication Technologies for Internet of Things

Abstract With the technological advancement at its peak, the world has seen as massive increase in the number applications in the field of Internet of Things. With a rapid increase in the number of connected devices, there comes a big need for new communication protocols that are lightweight and efficient in terms of power consumption, speed and coverage. M2M communication protocols devised by 3GPP aims to achieve the same with the introduction of NB-IoT and eMTC in their release 13. […]

Positive and Negative Effects of Internet

The topic of the pros and cons of the Internet is one of the most controversial topics. People often cannot give a definite answer to it. The topic of the Internet is quite versatile. Let's look at it from the positive side first. The Internet is the greatest invention of mankind, which made life easier and continues to do it for us hundreds of times. Its first plus is, of course, the available information. Now you can find out any […]

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The Internet of Things: Wireless Network of Uniquely Identifiable Connected Devices

The Internet of Things (IoT) may be defined as a wired or wireless network of uniquely identifiable, connected devices which can process data and communicate with each other. Reinfurt (2016) discussed many different types of IoT devices such as service gateways, device shadows, rule engines, and device wake-ups, all of which have challenges and pose security risks. The technology of some of these devices is advanced and can function offline. They don't have to be programmed, and they can't support […]

Internet of Things (IoT)

Abstract Devices, systems and people get connected to IoT daily and therefore, become exposed to dangers and risks. Security cases are regularly reported and expert's fear that the control of the situation will be lost. However, the evolution of technology is on its toes to facilitate internet of things and solve security problems. In this research proposal, internet of things (IoT) usage in home security is explored, scrutinized and plans for the security issue mitigations bestowed based on the current […]

What would Life be Like Without the Use of Internet

Is it possible to imagine modern life without modern inventions, for example, without the Internet? In our time, it is customary to scold him and believe that all misfortunes occur exclusively because of him. So let's try to consider the positive and negative aspects of life without using the worldwide information network and decide whether it is worth deleting it from our life forever or not. So you've decided to exclude the internet from your daily routine. What positive changes […]

Security in Internet of Things

Abstract The Internet helped people to connect with static information available, but now it's helping to build connections from people to people, physical things. Nowadays, the Internet of Things (IoT) represents a diverse technology and usage with a wide range of business opportunities and risks. IoT allows data to be transferred from physical devices to the internet. The increase in smart devices results in a network with information that helps to communicate in different ways. IoT helps physical objects to […]

Review of Internet of Things in Healthcare

Abstract: The Internet of Things (IoT) is a key area where embedded devices and sensors can connect and exchange information over the internet. IoT can revolutionize how human beings live their lives, making them more comfortable and smart. IoT has the ability to add intelligence to real-world objects and facilitate their communication with each other. Given the importance of IoT devices and data can be critical, security measures are required to keep this data safe from intrusion. Authentication is a […]

IoT Integration in Insurance: Opportunities and Challenges

BACKGROUND This proposal deals with the effects of Internet of Things (IoT) on insurance market and discsuss the future of IoT based insurance investments. There is no agreed unique definition for Internet of Things which is agreed by whole researchers, academicians, corporate people and other communities. The definition first used by Kevin Ashton, a digital innovation expert. All experts are agreed on a common idea, Internet was firstly about the data created by people, the next version of Internet is […]

The Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT), is all about connecting your devices. Just as you can connect your smart watch to your smart phone and you can connect your smart phone to your car, you can now connect things like your oven to your smart phone. The internet is no new thing, but it used to be a product of people. People used to connect people by creating the data and imaging and things of that nature, but now it's things […]

Toward the G System the Dynamic Context-Aware Internet of Things for Advanced Society

Steve Barnaby EE P 500 A (Fall 2018) A review of: Dr. Son Vuong, Toward the G System: The Dynamic Context-Aware Internet of Things for Advanced Society, October 16, 2018 A suggested forward step in the current Internet of Things (IoT) and thus the next Industry Revolution from four to five was presented by Dr. Vuong. Figure 1 Industrial Revolutions This presentation firstly discussed the current state of the art for IoT and how the current changes have effected the […]

How to Invest in Blockchain Technology

Starting out as a new way to underpin financial transactions without relying on banks and governments, blockchain has come a long way since its introduction in 2008. While the first phase of the tech saw primarily currency based solutions, now firms are working hard at adapting the technology to solve a host of problems across a wide swath of industries. While investing in digital currency is fairly well understood at this point, investing in blockchain development is a little more […]

Exploiting Internet of Things and its Application in Healthcare Domain

Abstract Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices such as sensors, actuators, electronic device, software and actuators which allows data transmission and reception across these modules. Internet of things has made significant strides in consumer, enterprise and infrastructure spaces. It has penetrated in every well known market today. A few examples of IoT devices are Nest learning thermostat, Amazon echo dot, Kisi smart lock, fitbit etc. In this paper we will be discussing and stressing about some […]

Internet of Things for Smart Cities

Abstract The Internet of Things (IoT) will have the capacity to consolidate straightforwardly and consistently an extensive number of various and heterogeneous end frameworks, while giving open access to choose subsets of data for the advancement of a plenty of computerized services. Building a general design for the IoT is subsequently an exceptionally mind-boggling errand, chiefly as a result of the to a great degree vast assortment of devices, interface layer advances, and services that might be associated with such […]

The Effects of the Internet of Things on the Field of Project Management

IoT by far comes with a number of benefits to organization, business and the world in general can enjoy. For while it has assisted organizations and business entities to keep track and monitor their overall business-related processes, continue to enhance the customer experience, improve the organization efficiency in terms of saving cost and finances. In addition, it has improved the employee related productivity, integration an adapt models of business as well as better business decision are now made. All this […]

What is the Internet of Things?

Imagine a day where you wake up in the morning to your 6 o'clock alarm, the lights throughout your home slowly brighten and the coffee pot starts brewing a cup before you even finish stretching, your mirror displays the time and weather forecast for you after your shower, and as you walk out the front door, the lights turn off, the thermostat lowers its temperature, and all the windows and doors lock behind you. That thought may seem far into […]

Why you should Invest in Blockchain?

In a very short time since its introduction in 2008, blockchain technology has burst onto the tech scene and jumped to the front lines of the hottest new developments. Rapidly infiltrating every industry you can imagine, this new system is also creating new and exciting investment opportunities that should have you asking, 'how do I invest in blockchain?' Many people think that buying digital currency is the only way to invest in this new market, but that is not the […]

Internet of Things and Agriculture

When one hears the term ""Internet of Things"", they might think of items such as smart voice assistants, smart watches, smart thermostats, smart security, or many other items. However, there is one very important industry that the Internet of Things has begun to impact that isn't mentioned as often, and that is agriculture. The Internet of Things is rapidly expanding into agriculture and causing ""smart farming"" by using the application of sensors, robots, drones, and other modern technologies to improve […]

A Sneak Peek on the Trending Era of Internet of Things

One of the on-going technological trends in 2018, that has impacted massively, is internet of things (IoT). With increase in the number of smartphone users and the innovations in the implementation of smart devices, the IoT applications depend heavily on the real-time data availability through various users or sources. These applications use the machine learning (ML) models, advanced mathematical, computational and statistical resources to analyse and interpret the derived data and provide insights for making critical business decisions. The data […]

Public Health Technology Boom: Internet of Things for Healthcare

Not only does Public Health promote and protect the health of people, it has an impact on the communities in which these people live, learn, work and play. Public health professionals are constantly striving to solve community health issues in order to develop new policies. Prevention is key to public health as opposed to worrying about treatment after the disease or illness is already present in such population or individual.These professionals are also responsible for educating the public and empower […]

The Power of Blockchain Paired with the Internet of Things

What is the Internet of Things? The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system used for the distribution of information without the need for human interaction. Information on computing devices, objects, humans, animals and all sorts of things using a unique identifier can be shared over a network. A thing, in the internet of things, at its most basic level can be a patient wired to a heart monitor, a cat implanted with a tracking chip, or a car using […]

SDN/NFV in the IoT

Finally, efficient and hassle free network operation in the IoT can be realize by using SDN/NFV for fault/quality management, control and design in licensed bands, and then performing interworking or aggregation properly with existing short-range communication, 3G, 4G and 5G itself. However, ways to facilitate the operation and management of wireless front networks, which can assume a variety of configurations depending on the various usage models of IoT services must be considered.The 5G model network as influenced by IoT as […]

About Wedding Insurance

Your wedding day is one of the most important? and expensive? days of your life. No matter how long and how carefully you've planned your big day, there's always a chance that an unexpected event can disrupt your plans. We've all heard wedding horror stories. With the average wedding in the United States costing more than $30,000(1), it's no wonder that wedding insurance is becoming more popular. Here's what you should know about wedding insurance. What Is Wedding Insurance? Lots […]

Insurance for Agriculture

Nearly 200 years ago, agricultural workers made up almost 70 percent of the American labor force. However, changes in today's economy and the decline of small American farms has reduced this number to less than two percent of the labor force. If there are fewer people working in the agriculture system, how much detail still goes into the oversight of food production? Consumers are often blind to the production of their food. Critics speak out about their concerns for the […]

Artificial Intelligence, Based Training and Placement Management

ABSTRACT The Training and Placement cell in colleges is responsible for conducting all job interviews and skill development procedures for candidates. These procedures are carried out either manually or using some form of database software, which can be slow and inefficient. We, therefore, have taken a step forward to build an Artificial Intelligence-based solution to this problem. We propose a system where the admin and student can carry out all the training and placement related operations within an Artificial Intelligence-based […]

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What is the IoT? Everything you need to know about the Internet of Things right now

What is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the billions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the internet, all collecting and sharing data. Thanks to the arrival of super-cheap computer chips and the ubiquity of wireless networks, it's possible to turn anything, from something as small as  a pill to something as big as  an aeroplane , into a part of the IoT. Connecting up all these different objects and adding sensors to them adds a level of digital intelligence to devices that would be otherwise dumb, enabling them to communicate real-time data without involving a human being. The Internet of Things is making the fabric of the world around us more smarter and more responsive, merging the digital and physical universes.

• The Internet of Things? It's really a giant robot and we don't know how to fix it

What is an example of an Internet of Things device?

Pretty much any physical object can be transformed into an IoT device if it can be connected to the internet to be controlled or communicate information.

A lightbulb that can be switched on using a smartphone app is an IoT device, as is a motion sensor or a smart thermostat in your office or a connected streetlight. An IoT device could be as fluffy as a child's toy or as serious as  a driverless truck . Some larger objects may themselves be filled with many smaller IoT components, such as a jet engine that's now filled with thousands of sensors collecting and transmitting data back to make sure it is operating efficiently. At an even bigger scale, smart cities projects are filling entire regions with sensors to help us understand and control the environment. 

SEE: 5G: What it means for IoT (ZDNet/TechRepublic special feature) | Download the free PDF version (TechRepublic)

The term IoT is mainly used for devices that wouldn't usually be generally expected to have an internet connection, and that can communicate with the network independently of human action. For this reason, a PC isn't generally considered an IoT device and neither is a smartphone -- even though the latter is crammed with sensors. A smartwatch or a fitness band or other wearable device might be counted as an IoT device, however.

• Google and Levi's unveil internet-connected jacket

What is the history of the Internet of Things?

The idea of adding sensors and intelligence to basic objects was discussed throughout the 1980s and 1990s (and there are arguably some much earlier ancestors ), but apart from some early projects -- including an internet-connected vending machine -- progress was slow simply because the technology wasn't ready. Chips were too big and bulky and there was no way for objects to communicate effectively.

Processors that were cheap and power-frugal enough to be all but disposable were needed before it finally became cost-effective to connect up billions of devices. The adoption of RFID tags -- low-power chips that can communicate wirelessly -- solved some of this issue, along with the increasing availability of broadband internet and cellular and wireless networking. The adoption of IPv6 -- which, among other things, should provide enough IP addresses for every device the world (or indeed this galaxy) is ever likely to need -- was also a necessary step for the IoT to scale. 

Kevin Ashton coined the phrase 'Internet of Things' in 1999, although it took at least another decade for the technology to catch up with the vision.

"The IoT integrates the interconnectedness of human culture -- our 'things' -- with the interconnectedness of our digital information system -- 'the internet.' That's the IoT," Ashton told ZDNet .

Adding RFID tags to expensive pieces of equipment to help track their location was one of the first IoT applications. But since then, the cost of adding sensors and an internet connection to objects has continued to fall, and experts predict that this basic functionality could one day cost as little as 10 cents, making it possible to connect nearly everything to the internet.

The IoT was initially most interesting to business and manufacturing, where its application is sometimes known as machine-to-machine (M2M), but the emphasis is now on filling our homes and offices with smart devices, transforming it into something that's relevant to almost everyone. Early suggestions for internet-connected devices included 'blogjects' (objects that blog and record data about themselves to the internet), ubiquitous computing (or 'ubicomp'), invisible computing, and pervasive computing. However, it was Internet of Things and IoT that stuck.

• If you want to succeed you must fail first, says the man who dreamt up the Internet of Things

How big is the Internet of Things?

Big and getting bigger -- there are already more connected things than people in the world.

Tech analyst company IDC predicts that in total there will be 41.6 billion connected IoT devices by 2025, or "things." It also suggests industrial and automotive equipment represent the largest opportunity of connected "things,", but it also sees strong adoption of smart home and wearable devices in the near term.  

Another tech analyst, Gartner, predicts that the enterprise and automotive sectors will account for 5.8 billion devices this year, up almost a quarter on 2019. Utilities will be the highest user of IoT, thanks to the continuing rollout of smart meters. Security devices, in the form of intruder detection and web cameras will be the second biggest use of IoT devices. Building automation – like connected lighting – will be the fastest growing sector, followed by automotive (connected cars) and healthcare (monitoring of chronic conditions). 

What are the benefits of the Internet of Things for business?

The benefits of the IoT for business depend on the particular implementation; agility and efficiency are usually top considerations. The idea is that enterprises should have access to more data about their own products and their own internal systems, and a greater ability to make changes as a result.

See also: How SMBs can maximize the benefits of IoT initiatives

Manufacturers are adding sensors to the components of their products so that they can transmit data back about how they are performing. This can help companies spot when a component is likely to fail and to swap it out before it causes damage. Companies can also use the data generated by these sensors to make their systems and their supply chains more efficient, because they will have much more accurate data about what's really going on.

Special Feature

Special report: 5g: what it means for iot (free pdf).

This ebook, based on the latest ZDNet / TechRepublic special feature, examines how 5G connectivity will underpin the next generation of IoT devices.

"With the introduction of comprehensive, real-time data collection and analysis, production systems can become dramatically more responsive," say consultants McKinsey .

Enterprise use of the IoT can be divided into two segments: industry-specific offerings like sensors in a generating plant or real-time location devices for healthcare; and IoT devices that can be used in all industries, like smart air conditioning or security systems.

While industry-specific products will make the early running, by 2020 Gartner predicts that cross-industry devices will reach 4.4 billion units, while vertical-specific devices will amount to 3.2 billion units. Consumers purchase more devices, but businesses spend more: the analyst group said that while consumer spending on IoT devices was around $725bn last year, businesses spending on IoT hit $964bn. By 2020, business and consumer spending on IoT hardware will hit nearly $3tn.

Worldwide spending on the IoT was forecast to reach $745 billion in 2019, an increase of 15.4% over the $646 billion spent in 2018, according to IDC, and pass the $1 trillion mark in 2022.

Top industries for the IoT were predicted to be discrete manufacturing ($119 billion in spending), process manufacturing ($78 billion), transportation ($71 billion), and utilities ($61 billion). For manufacturers, projects to support asset management will be key; in transportation it will be freight monitoring and fleet management taking top priority. IoT spending in the utilities industry will be dominated by smart-grid projects for electricity, gas, and water.

Consumer IoT spending was predicted to hit $108 billion, making it the second largest industry segment: smart home, personal wellness, and connected vehicle infotainment will see much of the spending.

By use case, manufacturing operations ($100 billion), production asset management ($44.2 billion), smart home ($44.1 billion), and freight monitoring ($41.7 billion) will be the largest areas of investment. 

• UX needs to operate under a new set of rules within the Internet of Things
• Do you own your data and have free rein? The answer in an Internet of things, cloud world may surprise you

What is the Industrial Internet of Things?

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) or the fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0 are all names given to the use of IoT technology in a business setting. The concept is the same as for the consumer IoT devices in the home, but in this case the aim is to use a combination of sensors, wireless networks, big data, AI and analytics to measure and optimise industrial processes. 

If introduced across an entire supply chain, rather than just individual companies, the impact could be even greater with just-in-time delivery of materials and the management of production from start to finish. Increasing workforce productivity or cost savings are two potential aims, but the IIoT can also create new revenue streams for businesses; rather than just selling a standalone product – for example, like an engine – manufacturers can also sell predictive maintenance of the engine. 

What are the benefits of the Internet of Things for consumers?

The IoT promises to make our environment -- our homes and offices and vehicles -- smarter, more measurable, and... chattier. Smart speakers like Amazon's Echo and Google Home make it easier to play music, set timers, or get information. Home security systems make it easier to monitor what's going on inside and outside, or to see and talk to visitors. Meanwhile, smart thermostats can help us heat our homes before we arrive back, and smart lightbulbs can make it look like we're home even when we're out.

Looking beyond the home, sensors can help us to understand how noisy or polluted our environment might be. Self-driving cars and smart cities could change how we build and manage our public spaces.

However, many of these innovations could have major implications for our personal privacy .

• Hive thinks it knows how to get the smart home buzzing

The Internet of Things and smart homes

The House that Alexa Built: An Amazon showcase in London in 2017.

For consumers, the smart home is probably where they are likely to come into contact with internet-enabled things, and it's one area where the big tech companies (in particular Amazon, Google, and Apple) are competing hard.

The most obvious of these are smart speakers like Amazon's Echo, but there are also smart plugs, lightbulbs, cameras, thermostats, and the much-mocked smart fridge . But as well as showing off your enthusiasm for shiny new gadgets, there's a more serious side to smart home applications. They may be able to help keep older people independent and in their own homes longer by making it easier for family and carers to communicate with them and monitor how they are getting on. A better understanding of how our homes operate, and the ability to tweak those settings, could help save energy -- by cutting heating costs , for example.

• Qualcomm: Mesh networking is the future of smart homes

What about Internet of Things security?

Security is one the biggest issues with the IoT. These sensors are collecting in many cases extremely sensitive data -- what you say and do in your own home , for example. Keeping that secure is vital to consumer trust, but so far the IoT's security track record has been extremely poor. Too many IoT devices give little thought to the basics of security, like encrypting data in transit and at rest.

Flaws in software -- even old and well-used code -- are discovered on a regular basis, but many IoT devices lack the capability to be patched, which means they are permanently at risk. Hackers are now actively targeting IoT devices such as routers and webcams because their inherent lack of security makes them easy to compromise and roll up into giant botnets .

Flaws have left smart home devices like refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers open to hackers. Researchers found 100,000 webcams that could be hacked with ease , while some internet-connected smartwatches for children have been found to contain security vulnerabilities that allow hackers to track the wearer's location, eavesdrop on conversations , or even communicate with the user.

Governments are growing worried about the risks here. The UK government has published its own guidelines around the security of consumer IoT devices . It expects devices to have unique passwords, that companies will provide a public point of contact so anyone can report a vulnerability (and that these will be acted on), and that manufacturers will explicitly state how long devices will get security updates. It's a modest list, but a start. 

When the cost of making smart objects becomes negligible, these problems will only become more widespread and intractable.

All of this applies in business as well, but the stakes are even higher. Connecting industrial machinery to IoT networks increases the potential risk of hackers discovering and attacking these devices. Industrial espionage or a destructive attack on critical infrastructure are both potential risks. That means businesses will need to make sure that these networks are isolated and protected, with data encryption with security of sensors, gateways and other components a necessity. The current state of IoT technology makes that harder to ensure, however, as does a lack of consistent IoT security planning across organisations. That's very worrying considering the documented willingness of hackers to tamper with industrial systems that have been connected to the internet but left unprotected .

The IoT bridges the gap between the digital world and the physical world, which means that hacking into devices can have dangerous real-world consequences. Hacking into the sensors controlling the temperature in a power station could trick the operators into making a catastrophic decision; taking control of a driverless car could also end in disaster.

• Your forgotten IoT gadgets will leave a disastrous, toxic legacy
• Security flaw in LG IoT software left home appliances vulnerable
• Five pitfalls to avoid in mobile and IoT security
• Fear the Reaper? Experts reassess the botnet's size and firepower
• Internet of Things security: What happens when every device is smart and you don't even know it?

What about privacy and the Internet of Things?

With all those sensors collecting data on everything you do, the IoT is a potentially vast privacy and security headache. Take the smart home: it can tell when you wake up (when the smart coffee machine is activated) and how well you brush your teeth (thanks to your smart toothbrush), what radio station you listen to (thanks to your smart speaker), what type of food you eat (thanks to your smart oven or fridge), what your children think (thanks to their smart toys), and who visits you and passes by your house (thanks to your smart doorbell). While companies will make money from selling you the smart object in the first place, their IoT business model probably involves selling at least some of that data, too.

What happens to that data is a vitally important privacy matter. Not all smart home companies build their business model around harvesting and selling your data, but some do.

And it's worth remembering that IoT data can be combined with other bits of data to create a surprisingly detailed picture of you. It's surprisingly easy to find out a lot about a person from a few different sensor readings. In one project, a researcher found that by analysing data charting just the home's energy consumption, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide levels, temperature, and humidity throughout the day they could work out what someone was having for dinner.

• IoT devices are an enterprise security time bomb
• I know what you ate last supper: What home sensors will reveal about your life
• Internet of Things security woes: Can smarter consumers save the IoT from disaster?

IoT, privacy and business

Consumers need to understand the exchange they are making and whether they are happy with that. Some of the same issues apply to business: would your executive team be happy to discuss a merger in a meeting room equipped with smart speakers and cameras, for example? One recent survey found that four out of five companies would be unable to identify all the IoT devices on their network.

Badly installed IoT products could easily open up corporate networks to attack by hackers, or simply leak data. It might seem like a trivial threat but imagine if the smart locks at your office refused to open one morning or the smart weather station in the CEO's office was used by hackers to create a backdoor into your network.

• The spy on the corner of your desk: Why the smart office is your next security nightmare
• IoT in the office: Everything you need to know about the Internet of Things in the workplace  

The IoT and cyberwarfare

The IoT makes computing physical. So if things go wrong with IoT devices, there can be major real-world consequences -- something that nations planning their cyberwarfare strategies are now taking into account.

US intelligence community briefings have warned that the country's adversaries already have the ability to threaten its critical infrastructure as well "as the broader ecosystem of connected consumer and industrial devices known as the Internet of Things". US intelligence has also warned that connected thermostats, cameras, and cookers could all be used either to spy on citizens of another country, or to cause havoc if they were hacked. Adding key elements of national critical infrastructure (like dams, bridges, and elements of the electricity grid) to the IoT makes it even more vital that security is as tight as possible.

• Cyberwar: A guide to the frightening future of online conflict
• Cyberwarfare comes of age: The internet is now officially a battlefield
• Yes, your smart toaster really will be spying on you for the government

The Internet of Things and data

An IoT device will likely contain one or more sensors which it will use to collect data. Just what those sensors are collecting will depend on the individual device and its task. Sensors inside industrial machinery might measure temperature or pressure; a security camera might have a proximity sensor along with sound and video, while your home weather station will probably be packing a humidity sensor. All this sensor data – and much, much more – will have to be sent somewhere. That means IoT devices will need to transmit data and will do it via Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G and more.

Tech analyst IDC calculates that within five years IoT gadgets will be creating 79.4 zettabytes of data. Some of this IoT data will be "small and bursty" says IDC – a quick update like a temperature reading from a sensor or a reading from a smart meter. Other devices might create huge amounts of data traffic, like a video surveillance camera using computer vision.

IDC said the amount of data created by IoT devices will grow rapidly in the next few years. Most of the data is being generated by video surveillance, it said, but other industrial and medical uses will generate more data over time.

It said drones will also be a big driver of data creation using cameras. Looking further out, self-driving cars will also generate vast amounts of rich sensor data including audio and video, as well as more specialised automotive sensor data.

Internet of Things and big data analytics

The IoT generates vast amounts of data: from sensors attached to machine parts or environment sensors, or the words we shout at our smart speakers. That means the IoT is a significant driver of big-data analytics projects because it allows companies to create vast data sets and analyse them. Giving a manufacturer vast amounts of data about how its components behave in real-world situations can help them to make improvements much more rapidly, while data culled from sensors around a city could help planners make traffic flow more efficiently.

That data will come in many different forms – voice requests, video, temperature or other sensor readings, all of which can be mined for insight. As analyst IDC notes, IoT metadata category is a growing source of data to be managed and leveraged. "Metadata is a prime candidate to be fed into NoSQL databases like MongoDB to bring structure to unstructured content or fed into cognitive systems to bring new levels of understanding, intelligence, and order to outwardly random environments," it said.

In particular, the IoT will deliver large amounts of real-time data. Cisco calculates that machine-to machine connections that support IoT applications will account for more than half of the total 27.1 billion devices and connections, and will account for 5% of global IP traffic by 2021 .

• Ten examples of IoT and big data working well together
• The internet of things and big data: Unlocking the power
• Sensor'd enterprise: IoT, ML, and big data (ZDNet special report) | Download the report as a PDF (TechRepublic)

Internet of Things and the cloud

The huge amount of data that IoT applications generate means that many companies will choose to do their data processing in the cloud rather than build huge amounts of in-house capacity. Cloud computing giants are already courting these companies: Microsoft has its Azure IoT suite , while Amazon Web Services provides a range of IoT services, as does Google Cloud .

• Your terrible broadband will kill the Internet of Things dead
• Amazon lowers barrier to IoT in the cloud with analytics, security, and new OS
• CES 2018: Microsoft's IoT strategy is about the cloud more than the 'things'
• Nokia partners with AWS on cloud migration, 5G and IoT strategies

The Internet of Things and smart cities

By spreading a vast number of sensors over a town or city, planners can get a better idea of what's really happening, in real time. As a result, smart cities projects are a key feature of the IoT. Cities already generate large amounts of data (from security cameras and environmental sensors) and already contain big infrastructure networks (like those controlling traffic lights). IoT projects aim to connect these up, and then add further intelligence into the system.

There are plans to blanket Spain's Balearic Islands with half a million sensors and turn it into a lab for IoT projects, for example. One scheme could involve the regional social-services department using the sensors to help the elderly, while another could identify if a beach has become too crowded and offer alternatives to swimmers. In another example, AT&T is launching a service to monitor infrastructure such as bridges , roadways, and railways with LTE-enabled sensors to monitor structural changes such as cracks and tilts.

The ability to better understand how a city is functioning should allow planners to make changes and monitor how this improves residents' lives.

Big tech companies see smart cities projects as a potentially huge area, and many -- including mobile operators and networking companies -- are now positioning themselves to get involved.

• IT leader's guide to the rise of smart cities
• Cisco, Huawei take duel to smart cities
• Huawei announces smart city control centre

executive guide

What is 5g everything you need to know about the new wireless revolution.

It's a capital improvement project the size of the entire planet, replacing one wireless architecture created this century with another one that aims to lower energy consumption and maintenance costs.

How do Internet of Things and 5G connect and share data?

IoT devices use a variety of methods to connect and share data, although most will use some form of wireless connectivity: homes and offices will use standard Wi-Fi, Zigbee or Bluetooth Low Energy (or even Ethernet if they aren't especially mobile); other devices will use LTE (existing technologies include Narrowband IoT and LTE-M, largely aimed at small devices sending limited amounts of data) or even satellite connections to communicate. However, the vast number of different options has already led some to argue that IoT communications standards need to be as accepted and interoperable as Wi-Fi is today. 

One area of growth in the next few years will undoubtedly be the use of 5G networks to support IoT projects. 5G offers the ability to fit as many as one million 5G devices in a square kilometre, which means that it will be possible to use a vast number of sensors in a very small area, making large-scale industrial IoT deployments more possible. The UK has just started a trial of 5G and the IoT at two 'smart factories'. However, it could be some time before 5G deployments are widespread: Ericsson predicts that there will be somewhere around five billion IoT devices connected to cellular networks  by 2025, but only around a quarter of those will be broadband IoT, with 4G connecting the majority of those.

Outdoor surveillance cameras will be the largest market for 5G IoT devices in the near term, according to Gartner, accounting for the majority (70%) of the 5G IoT devices this year, before dropping to around 30% by the end of 2023, at which point they will be overtaken by connected cars.

The analyst firm predicts that there will be 3.5 million 5G IoT devices in use this year, and nearly 50 million by 2023. Longer term the automotive industry will be the largest sector for 5G IoT use cases, it predicted.

One likely trend is that, as the IoT develops, it could be that less data will be sent for processing in the cloud. To keep costs down, more processing could be done on-device with only the useful data sent back to the cloud – a strategy known as 'edge computing'. This will require new technology – like tamper-proof edge servers that can collect and analyse data far from the cloud or corporate data center.

• All your IoT devices are doomed
• Edge, core, and cloud: Where all the workloads go
• 5G and the IoT: The UK's first smart factory just switched on

IoT data and artificial intelligence

IoT devices generate vast amounts of data; that might be information about an engine's temperature or whether a door is open or closed or the reading from a smart meter. All this IoT data has to be collected, stored and analysed. One way companies are making the most of this data is to feed it into artificial intelligence (AI) systems that will take that IoT data and use it to make predictions.

For example, Google has put an AI in charge of its data centre cooling system . The AI uses data pulled from thousands of IoT sensors, which is fed into deep neural networks, and which predict how different choices will affect future energy consumption. By using machine learning and AI, Google has been able to make its data centres more efficient and said the same technology could have uses in other industrial settings.

• Google just put an AI in charge of keeping its data centres cool

IoT evolution: Where does the Internet of Things go next?

As the price of sensors and communications continue to drop, it becomes cost-effective to add more devices to the IoT – even if in some cases there's little obvious benefit to consumers. Deployments are at an early stage; most companies that are engaging with the IoT are at the trial stage right now, largely because the necessary technology – sensor technology, 5G and machine-learning powered analytics – are still themselves at a reasonably early stage of development. There are many competing platforms and standards and many different vendors, from device makers to software companies to network operators, want a slice of the pie. It's still not clear which of those will win out. But without standards, and with security an ongoing issue, we are likely to see some more big IoT security mishaps in the next few years.

As the number of connected devices continues to rise, our living and working environments will become filled with smart products – assuming we are willing to accept the security and privacy trade-offs. Some will welcome the new era of smart things. Others will pine for the days when a chair was simply a chair.

• The future of digital will be human-centric and voice will reign supreme

Internet of Things: CIOs are getting ready for the next big revolution IoT devices will outnumber the world's population this year for the first time IoT in the real world: Five top use cases (Tech Pro Research) 17 ways the Internet of Things is changing the world (TechRepublic)

What Gartner's 2024 hype cycle forecast tells us about the future of AI (and other tech)

Ai engineering is the next frontier for technological advances: what to know, delete yourself from the internet with the best online data removal services.

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Internet of Things (IoT)

What it is and why it matters.

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a vast number of “things” that are connected to the internet so they can share data with other things – IoT applications, connected devices, industrial machines and more. Internet-connected devices use built-in sensors to collect data and, in some cases, act on it. IoT connected devices and machines can improve how we work and live. Real-world Internet of Things examples range from a smart home that automatically adjusts heating and lighting to a smart factory that monitors industrial machines to look for problems, then automatically adjusts to avoid failures.

• Today's World
• Who Uses It
• How It Works

History of the Internet of Things

The term “Internet of Things” was coined by entrepreneur Kevin Ashton, one of the founders of the Auto-ID Center at MIT. Ashton was part of a team that discovered how to link objects to the internet through an RFID tag. He first used the phrase “Internet of Things” in a 1999 presentation – and it has stuck around ever since.

Ashton may have been first to use the term Internet of Things, but the concept of connected devices – particularly connected machines – has been around for a long time. For example, machines have been communicating with each other since the first electric telegraphs were developed in the late 1830s. Other technologies that fed into IoT were radio voice transmissions, wireless (Wi-Fi) technologies and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software. Then in 1982, a modified Coke machine at Carnegie Mellon University became the first connected smart appliance. Using the university’s local ethernet or ARPANET – a precursor to today’s internet – students could find out which drinks were stocked, and whether they were cold.

Today, we’re living in a world where there are more IoT-connected devices than humans. These IoT-connected devices and machines range from wearables like smartwatches to RFID inventory tracking chips. IoT-connected devices communicate via networks or cloud-based platforms connected to the Internet of Things. The real-time insights gleaned from this IoT-collected data fuel digital transformation. In the age of Industry 4.0 , the Internet of Things promises many positive changes for health and safety, business operations, industrial performance, and global environmental and humanitarian issues.

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The Internet of Things in Today’s World

The Internet of Things has had significant effects on our world. Learn how IoT is affecting our lives today, as the volume and variety of big data streaming from IoT expands and analytics technologies evolve.

Non-geek’s A-to-Z guide to the IoT

Ready to read up on 101 common terms related to the Internet of Things? This guide is a primer on definitions relevant to the vast IoT and big data ecosystem, sans technical “geek speak.” It covers topics like connectivity, "things," industry applications, data, computing and analytics.

Technology helps make travel personal

iGA Istanbul Airport uses beacon technology with its iGA Fast Track services – particularly at entrance gates. In turn, they can seamlessly communicate with passengers’ mobile devices during the entry process. IoT-based real-time notifications of available services help enhance and personalize the airport experience.

Who's Using IoT?

Many industries use IoT to understand consumer needs in real time, become more responsive, improve machine and system quality on the fly, streamline operations and discover innovative ways to operate as part of their digital transformation efforts.

IoT unites data, analytics and marketing processes across locations. Retailers capture IoT data from in-store and digital channels and apply analytics (including artificial intelligence, or AI) for real-time, contextual listening and to understand behavior patterns and preferences. They often use IoT connected devices like RFID inventory tracking chips, cellular and Wi-Fi systems, beacons and smart shelves in their Internet of Things strategy.

• Manufacturing

IoT connects all phases of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) process – from supply chain to delivery – for a cohesive view of production, process and product data. Advanced IoT sensors in factory machines or warehouse shelves, along with big data analytics and predictive modeling, can prevent defects and downtime, maximize equipment performance, cut warranty costs, boost production yield and enhance the customer experience.

Transportation and Logistics

IoT with geofence-enabled location intelligence and AI, deployed across the value chain, can deliver greater efficiency and reliability for transportation and logistics companies. This technology can improve service quality, reduce downtime and boost customer satisfaction. It can also enhance safety and reduce costs by managing, tracking and monitoring connected vehicles, freight and other mobile assets in real time.

• Health Care

IoT technology captures data streaming in real time from the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) – such as wearables and other medical connected devices that monitor exercise, sleep and other health habits. This IoT data enables precise diagnoses and treatment plans, improves patient safety and outcomes, and streamlines care delivery.

IoT applications are used to address many real-world issues – traffic congestion, city services, economic development, citizen engagement, and public safety and security. Smart cities often embed IoT sensors into the physical infrastructure, such as streetlights, water meters and traffic signals.

The Internet of Things helps providers deliver reliable, fair-priced services and products. IoT connected devices and machines predict problems before they occur. Distributed grid resources like solar and wind are integrated through IoT. And behavior data – such as that collected from smart homes – improves convenience and security, and informs development of customized services.

With the Internet of Things (IoT), we can understand the context (the time and place of the customer) to identify when we’re certain the customer needs help or an incentive to purchase, and we can respond proactively. Dan Mitchell Business Director for the Global Retail and CPG Industry Practice SAS

Learn More About Industries Using This Technology

• Agriculture
• Capital Markets
• Retail & Consumer Goods
• Small & Midsize Business
• Sports Analytics
• Travel & Transportation
• Telecom, Media & Technology

We’re All Connected: IoT, Analytics and AI

Advanced analytics, including artificial intelligence (AI), is the way to harness value from the Internet of Things. Data management, cloud and high-performance computing techniques help manage and analyze the influx of IoT data from Internet of Things sensors. Insights from streaming analytics and AI underpin digital transformation efforts that result in better efficiency, convenience and security. See how connected devices, analytics and AI in the Internet of Things can make our world a better place to live.

Click on the infographic to learn more

Dig deeper as you get started with the Internet of Things – from setting strategy to measuring IoT success.

SAS ® Analytics for IoT

From the time you first access Internet of Things data to when you deploy models and trigger alerts, SAS Analytics for IoT helps you get more value from your enterprise IoT investments. Learn more about SAS Analytics for IoT or request a demo now.

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Home — Essay Samples — Information Science and Technology — Internet — The Internet of Things: Applications, Benefits and Drawbacks, and Future Use

The Internet of Things, Its Benefits and Future

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The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of physical devices, vehicles, appliances, and other physical objects that are embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity, allowing them to collect and share data.

IoT devices—also known as “smart objects”—can range from simple “smart home” devices like smart thermostats, to wearables like smartwatches and RFID-enabled clothing, to complex industrial machinery and transportation systems. Technologists are even envisioning entire “smart cities” predicated on IoT technologies.

IoT enables these smart devices to communicate with each other and with other internet-enabled devices. Like smartphones and gateways, creating a vast network of interconnected devices that can exchange data and perform various tasks autonomously. This can include:

• monitoring environmental conditions in farms
• managing traffic patterns with smart cars and other smart automotive devices
• controlling machines and processes in factories 
• tracking inventory and shipments in warehouses

The potential applications of IoT are vast and varied, and its impact is already being felt across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and agriculture. As the number of internet-connected devices continues to grow, IoT is likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping our world. Transforming the way that we live, work, and interact with each other.

In an enterprise context, IoT devices are used to monitor a wide range of parameters such as temperature, humidity, air quality, energy consumption, and machine performance. This data can be analyzed in real time to identify patterns, trends, and anomalies that can help businesses optimize their operations and improve their bottom line.

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IoT is important for business for several reasons. Here are the core benefits of IoT:

By using IoT devices to automate and optimize processes, businesses can improve efficiency and productivity. For example, IoT sensors can be used to monitor equipment performance and detect or even resolve potential issues before they cause downtime, reducing maintenance costs and improving uptime.

IoT devices generate vast amounts of data that can be used to make better-informed business decisions and new business models. By analyzing this data, businesses can gain insights into customer behavior, market trends, and operational performance, allowing them to make more informed decisions about strategy, product development, and resource allocation.

By reducing manual processes and automating repetitive tasks, IoT can help businesses reduce costs and improve profitability. For example, IoT devices can be used to monitor energy usage and optimize consumption, reducing energy costs and improving sustainability.

By using IoT technology to gather data about customer behavior, businesses can create more personalized and engaging experiences for their customers. For example, retailers can use IoT sensors to track customer movements in stores and deliver personalized offers based on their behavior.

Several technologies come together to make IoT possible.

• Sensors and actuators: Sensors are devices that can detect changes in the environment, such as temperature, humidity, light, motion, or pressure. Actuators are devices that can cause physical changes in the environment, such as opening or closing a valve or turning on a motor. These devices are at the heart of IoT, as they allow machines and devices to interact with the physical world. Automation is possible when sensors and actuators work to resolve issues without human intervention.
• Connectivity technologies: To transmit IoT data from sensors and actuators to the cloud, IoT devices need to be connected to the internet. There are several connectivity technologies that are used in IoT, including wifi, Bluetooth, cellular, Zigbee, and LoRaWAN.
• Cloud computing: The cloud is where the vast amounts of data that is generated by IoT devices are stored, processed, and analyzed. Cloud computing platforms provide the infrastructure and tools that are needed to store and analyze this data, as well as to build and deploy IoT applications.
• Big data analytics: To make sense of the vast amounts of data generated by IoT devices, businesses need to use advanced analytics tools to extract insights and identify patterns. These tools can include machine learning algorithms, data visualization tools and predictive analytics models.
• Security and privacy technologies: As IoT deployments become more widespread, IoT security and privacy become increasingly important. Technologies such as encryption , access controls and intrusion detection systems are used to protect IoT devices and the data they generate from cyberthreats.

In the healthcare industry, IoT devices can be used to monitor patients remotely and collect real-time data on their vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. This sensor data can be analyzed to detect patterns and identify potential health issues before they become more serious. IoT devices can also be used to track medical equipment, manage inventory and monitor medication compliance.

Industrial IoT devices can be used in manufacturing to monitor machine performance, detect equipment failures and optimize production processes. For example, sensors can be used to monitor the temperature and humidity in a manufacturing facility, ensuring that conditions are optimal for the production of sensitive products. IoT devices can also be used to track inventory, manage supply chains and monitor the quality of finished products. Industrial IoT is such an expansive new technology space, that it is sometimes referred to by its own abbreviation: IIoT (Industrial IoT).

In the retail industry, IoT devices can be used to track customer behavior, monitor inventory levels and optimize store layouts. For example, sensors can be used to track foot traffic in a store and analyze customer behavior, allowing retailers to optimize product placement and improve the customer experience. IoT devices can also be used to monitor supply chains, track shipments and manage inventory levels.

IoT devices can be used in agriculture to monitor soil conditions, weather patterns and crop growth. For example, sensors can be used to measure the moisture content of soil, ensuring that crops are irrigated at the optimal time. IoT devices can also be used to monitor livestock health, track equipment and manage supply chains. Low-power or solar-powered devices can often be used with minimal oversight in remote locations.

In the transportation industry, IoT devices can be used to monitor vehicle performance, optimize routes, and track shipments. For example, sensors can be used to monitor the fuel efficiency of connected cars, reducing fuel costs and improving sustainability. IoT devices can also be used to monitor the condition of cargo, ensuring that it arrives at its destination in optimal condition.

IoT offers many benefits, but it also poses several risks and challenges. Here are some of the most significant ones:

Security and privacy risks: As IoT devices become more widespread, security and privacy become increasingly important. Many IoT devices are vulnerable to hackers and other cyberthreats, which can compromise the security and privacy of sensitive data. IoT devices can also collect vast amounts of personal data, raising concerns about privacy and data protection.

Interoperability issues: IoT devices from different manufacturers often use different standards and protocols, making it difficult for them to perform what’s called “machine to machine” communication. This can lead to interoperability issues and create silos of data that are difficult to integrate and analyze.

Data overload: IoT devices generate vast amounts of data, which can overwhelm businesses that are not prepared to handle it. Analyzing this data and extracting meaningful insights can be a significant challenge, especially for businesses that lack the necessary analytics tools and expertise.

Cost and complexity: Implementing an IoT system can be costly and complex, requiring significant investments in hardware, software, and infrastructure. Managing and maintaining an IoT system can also be challenging, requiring specialized skills and expertise.

Regulatory and legal challenges: As IoT devices become more widespread, regulatory, and legal challenges are emerging. Businesses need to comply with various data protection, privacy and cybersecurity regulations, which can vary from country to country.

Managing IoT devices can be a complex and challenging task, but there are several best practices that businesses can follow to ensure that their IoT devices are secure, reliable, and optimized for performance. Here are some tips for managing IoT devices:

Plan your IoT strategy: Before deploying any IoT devices, businesses should have a clear understanding of their objectives, use cases and desired outcomes. This can help them choose the right devices, IoT platforms and technologies, and ensure that their IoT strategy is aligned with their business goals.

Choose secure IoT products: Security is a critical consideration for IoT solutions, as they can be vulnerable to cyberattacks. Businesses should choose devices that are designed with security in mind and implement appropriate security systems, such as encryption, authentication, and access controls.

Monitor and maintain devices: IoT devices need to be monitored and maintained regularly to ensure that they are performing optimally and are not vulnerable to security threats. This can involve monitoring device health and performance, updating firmware and software and conducting regular security audits and predictive maintenance.

Manage data effectively: IoT devices generate vast amounts of real-world data, which can be challenging to manage and analyze. Businesses should have a clear data management strategy in place, including data storage, analysis, and visualization. To ensure that they can extract meaningful insights from the data that is generated by their IoT devices.

Build an ecosystem: IoT devices are often part of a larger ecosystem that includes other devices, platforms, and technologies. Businesses should have a clear understanding of this ecosystem and ensure that their IoT devices can integrate effectively with other systems and technologies.

The future of IoT is promising, with many exciting developments for businesses on the horizon. Here are some of the trends and predictions for the future of IoT:

Growth: The number of IoT devices is expected to continue to grow rapidly, with estimates suggesting that there will be tens of billion IoT devices in use over the next few years. This growth will be driven by increased adoption across industries, as well as the development of new use cases and applications.

Edge computing: Edge computing is becoming increasingly important for IoT, as it allows data to be processed and analyzed closer to the source of the data, rather than in a centralized data center. This can improve response times, reduce latency and reduce the amount of data that needs to be transferred over IoT networks.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning: AI and machine learning are becoming increasingly important for IoT, as they can be used to analyze vast amounts of data that is generated by IoT devices and extract meaningful insights. This can help businesses make more informed decisions and optimize their operations.

Blockchain: Blockchain technology is being explored as a way to improve security and privacy in the IoT. Blockchain can be used to create secure, decentralized networks for IoT devices, which can minimize data security vulnerabilities.

Sustainability: Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration for IoT, as businesses look for ways to reduce their environmental impact. IoT can be used to optimize energy usage, reduce waste and improve sustainability across a range of industries.

The future of IoT is exciting, with many new developments and innovations on the horizon, with providers of devices offering attractive pricing, as the cost of IoT device production declines. As the number of IoT devices continues to grow, businesses need to be prepared to adapt to new technologies and embrace new use cases and applications. Those that are able to do so will be positioned to reap the benefits of this transformative technology.

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IoT: The Internet of Things .

What is the internet of things how does iot work, internet of things definition.

In simple terms, the Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the digitally connected universe of smart devices. These devices are embedded with internet connectivity, sensors and other hardware that allow communication and control via the web. 

Why IoT Is Important

The Internet of Things makes everyday devices “smarter” by enabling them to send data over the internet, communicating with people and other IoT-enabled devices.

Internet-of-Things Devices

The IoT can be found in an array of devices, industries and settings. From smart blackboards in school classrooms to medical devices that can detect signs of Parkinson’s disease, IoT is rapidly making the world smarter by connecting the physical and the digital.

The number of IoT-connected devices grew by 8 percent in 2021 and is projected to leap by another 22 percent through 2025, reaching 27 billion devices, according to market research platform IoT Analytics . Examples of the Internet of Things span industries, from manufacturing and automotive to healthcare and retail.

Read More About IoT 24 Industrial Internet of Things Examples to Know

Examples of IoT

The connected “smart home” is a prime example of the Internet of Things in action. Internet-enabled thermostats, doorbells, smoke detectors and security alarms create a connected hub where data is shared between physical devices and users can remotely control the “things” in that hub via a mobile app or website. 

The Internet of Things isn’t just restricted to everyday items in the home. Its influence can be seen across industries, making its way into the automotive industry , for example, by facilitating connectivity for monitoring and optimizing vehicle performance. The healthcare industry also benefits from the IoT, giving providers tools to more efficiently and accurately track key health metrics like glucose levels.

IoT Applications

• Thermostats and security systems for smart homes
• Wearables for health and fitness tracking
• Diagnostics for autonomous vehicles
• Automation for smart factories
• Lighting and traffic systems for smart cities
• Crop monitoring
• Retail supply chain tracking
• Monitoring and diagnosing disease

Best IoT Companies With Open Jobs Top IoT Companies Hiring Now

IoT Technologies

In a nutshell, IoT works like this: 

• Devices have hardware, like sensors, that collect data. 
• The data collected by the sensors is then shared via the cloud and integrated with software. 
• The software then analyzes and transmits the data to users via an app or website.

Smart devices connect to an IoT platform, described by the experts at IoT For All as “the support software that connects everything in an IoT system.” There are hundreds of IoT platforms and some are made by industry giants like Oracle and IBM. 

The Internet of Things is largely made possible by technologies that connect devices and enable them to communicate with one another. Connectivity options have a range of pros and cons, with some more suitable for certain use cases like smart homes while others may be more appropriate for IoT applications like industrial automation. These technologies can be divided into two categories: IoT data protocols that allow information to be exchanged between devices even without an internet connection, and IoT network protocols that link devices to one another and to the internet.

10 Common IoT Communication Protocols

• Advanced Message Queuing Protocol (AMQP)
• Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP)
• HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

Further Reading 9 Companies Helping Create the IoT Smart City

IoT Security

Emerging technologies often come with a new and changing landscape of risks and threats. The Internet of Things is no different. Because the IoT can enable things like building lighting and HVAC, vehicle diagnostics and even power grids, protecting these critical systems and infrastructure elements is paramount.

Common IoT attacks include privilege escalation, which exploits vulnerabilities like bugs or design flaws to get access, and firmware highjacking, which uses fake updates or drivers as a means to download malicious software.

IoT Precautions

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center recommends individuals and organizations take a number of precautions to minimize risk. One precaution is to stay away from Universal Plug and Play, which lets devices on the same network automatically discover and communicate with each other. Another is changing default passwords and router settings, and using a zero-trust model that limits access to what’s absolutely necessary and authenticates and verifies network interactions.

IoT Security Best Practices

• Change default router settings
• Pick a strong password
• Don’t use Universal Plug and Play
• Keep software and firmware updated
• Implement a zero trust model

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