Internet Of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term that has been getting more and more airtime in recent years. While the concept itself is nothing new, the improvements in technology has seen its potential become more apparent. Most businesses have heard of it, and it is expected to change the workplace for the better, with the potential to improve economies across the world. It could also expect to impact our domestic lives too, so many have become more curious as to what exactly the IoT is.

What Is It?

There is a fair amount of depth and technical aspects to the IoT, but in its simplest explanation it is pretty simple. Any sort of device or item that can be turned on can be part of the IoT. These ‘things’ which in most cases are machines and devices, can then be connected to internet. By being connected to the internet, each device is also connected to each other too. Pretty much every single everyday item you use can fit into this –showers, cookers, mobile phones, fridges, etc.

It doesn’t stop there, as even parts of machines can be connected. For example, a microchip that is attached to livestock of a farm could be connected to the IoT. On a larger scale, the engine of a car or plane could also be connected, relaying information back and forth.

This also includes people. We can connect to other devices or ‘things’ as easy as they can connect to one another.

What Will It Do?

These ‘things’ that are connected to the internet and one another create a network of information that can be used and shared. Everything that can be connected to each other and the internet are included in the IoT, people included. With every device connected to each other, information and data can be passed between anything that is part of the IoT, so from thing to things, things to people and people to people. This info and data can then be used in a near endless amount of ways.

It will essentially connect anything that can be connected to one another and the internet. The best example would be having a smart phone connected to things. Most people own a smart phone today, which has helped create better connection between devices. Your phone could be connected to most other ‘things’ with the information sent directly to you to help improve your daily routine.

What Features Will it Add to Our Daily Lives?

Your mobile phone could be connected to any number of devices on the IoT. Should it be traffic cameras in your local area, you could get a specific GPS route on your smart phone that takes into consideration the traffic for the day.

Wearable devices are deemed to be the next big advancement in technology, and could play a very important role with the IoT. It could send data and information regarding your sleeping patters and set an alarm clock on your phone to the perfect time to wake up.

When working out using a wearable device, your vital signs and performance levels can be measured. This data can then be shared to calculate more efficient workouts.

It can affect you a much larger scale too. The very city or town you live in could see every device connected to the IoT to create a network of information that is shared and processed to help improve things like never before.

Street lights that adapt to current weather are one example of how it can be used to make us more energy efficient. Your home could calculate the required levels of heating based on outside temperatures. Your smartphone could alert your house before you arrive to pre-set a temperature, turn certain lights on for safety, and even to open the garage door automatically right as you approach. The possibilities are truly limitless.

It is predicted that in the next five years we can expect to see numbers of IoT devices and objects reaching close to 50 billion. Make no mistakes, as technology continues to advance and become readily available, the Internet of Things will grow and expand.