What is IoT? The Internet of Things defined and explained

 


Everyone in the tech field knows how rapidly computing based inventions are being created. Moreover, our day to day life appliances are also being implemented with internet sensors for efficient working. 


The internet of things, often addressed as IoT is a huge umbrella term that covers various smart inventions with packed benefits. One of the best examples of an IoT based product is Alexa, which is enabled via the internet but has been majorly benefitting people across the globe.


In this article, we will have a close look into what an IoT is, the benefits of IoT, how it helps us,  the main characteristics of the Internet of Things, and how the future will be with the help of it.


 Let’s dive in.

What is an IoT?


There isn’t any fixed definition of IoT as of now because the concept itself is too broad to be composed into a tiny definition. We most likely can explain it as a source that connects the internet and real life simulation.


The Internet of things is a group of networks that connects networks and technology, to benefit people. With the help of inexpensive chips and high-bandwidth telephone, various day to day products are coming to life as an IoT product. 


There are toothbrushes, cars, vacuums and other resources activated by IoT, which in turn helps the humans needs. In fact, it is said that by the year 2025, 22 billion IoT products will come in.

How important is IoT?


Imagine a world where all the technology based products are internet oriented, and so from wherever you are, you can access it with the help of the internet? Won’t that be beneficial? 


From kitchen appliances to mobile gadgets,  users can enable IoT from anywhere. The easy communication between people and technology is the biggest boon of IoT.


Moreover, these digital systems can save data, which will help humans to cut off doing all the work again and again. 


For eg: In an IoT based washing-machine, you needn’t have to set the program that is required to wash your laundry. As the data is saved, the washing machine will know exactly what you want.

How did the IoT vision come true?

The concept of IoT has been there since the 90s, but only recently with major advancements in the computer world, did the IoT dream come true. 


Some of the core aspects that made IoT possible are,


  • Advanced sensors: Thanks to inexpensive and advanced sensors, a lot of IoT products are efficiently and easily made.

  • Network: With the help of network protocols, connecting the sensors and cloud has become easy, thus making the data transfer efficient.

  • Cloud platforms: There are plenty of cloud platforms that have risen up making many business people and companies access the data they require.

  • Insights: Thanks to machine learning and analytics, it is easy for business people to access insights through the data saved in the cloud. These sorts of cloud technologies, further push the inventors to make use of the data and invent more IoT based tech.

  • Artificial intelligence: One of human’s finest inventions is the AI. IoT basically runs with the help of AI, and the constant update in AI has been positively helping out IoT. Some of the AI we all are using in our common lives could be Cortana, Siri, etc.

Characteristics of IoT

Unlike the characteristics of softwares, IoT has huge amounts of benefits to offer. Some of the key IoT characteristics are,


  • Connection: In the IoT, if there isn’t connectivity, then it has no life. Be it the hardware, sensors, chips and other electrical items, without a connection an IoT cannot be processed.


  • Devices: One of the main characteristics of IoT is its devices. Without devices that can make use of IoT, it isn’t possible. Be it household appliances or manufacturing tech, these things are the main features of IoT.


  • Data: Without data, obviously IoT cannot be processed. Information and data is through what the IoT runs.


  • Communication: The process through which the data and the user get connected is called the communication. Communication can be made possible even when the user and the device have a long range of distance. For eg: WIFI.


  • Intelligence: Intelligence signifies the process through which the IoT devices run. Artificial intelligence like Alexa is an example of this characteristic.


  • Action: Be it auto or manual, IoT devices can benefit the users through the action they insist. An IoT TV if automated to shut down at a particular time, it is done so. On the other hand, when the user says, for example, “Switch off Alexa”, the manual process is also carried forward. This proves that IoT can benefit both manual and auto actions, it has no limitations. 


  • Environment: The best part of IoT is that it is safe for the ecosystem. There isn’t any manual labor that is used. It is purely done through intelligence, without affecting the environment.

Benefits of IoT 

We already know how the characteristics of IoT have transformed our daily lives to be run easily with the help of the internet. Apart from that, there are more benefits that we need to know. Some of the biggest advantages of IoT are,


  • Reduces human labor: With the help of IoT, hard labor work needn’t have to be done by humans. Moreover, IoT thinks creatively and the staff only need to work on it with their own knowledge. IoT also helps businesses to hire only the finest staff and needn’t have too many employees. This helps businesses to save a huge amount of money.

  • Automated work: It is pretty easy to control various works all from one area, thanks to the interconnection. For eg: With the help of IoT, the shipping process can be tracked rather than having an employee to check on it.

  • Resources are utilized highly: IoT ensures that all resources are used and put to their best use. Nothing will go easily without doing it's necessary work, as the IoT ensures every asset gives its best efficient work out. For eg: IoT detectors can figure out how well a business has profited, and it will give the most accurate answer for the business team to look at and correct their mistakes, if any is present.

  • Safety: As there won’t be humans needed to do risky labor, the safety of employees are guaranteed. Moreover, a company that guarantees employees’ safety will get a good brand image and many employees would come forward to work efficiently. Moreover, IoT devices also serve the security purpose by checking the places and preventing problems. Eg: surveillance cameras.

Final thoughts

With the world rapidly going full digital, IoT are the real game-changers. The characteristics of IoT are so magnificent that in no time, every person will be making use of an IoT device. 

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