A large number of “things” connected
<<Spanish Alert>> As a good uruguayan I always say things like: “¿Me das porfa ese coso que está arriba de la cosa esa, al lado del otro coso?” which means something like “could you give me please that thing which is above that other thing, next to the other thing?” and the other person not always know what I’m asking for, and that is because a “thing” can be anything from everyday life, from a cup of coffee to a fridge or a car.
The concept of “Internet of things” (IoT) comes from being able to interact with everyday objects through the network. This has multiple applications in different areas:
- Smart cities: traffic management, parking, lights, etc.
- Smart houses: lights, temperature, kitchen, etc.
- Wearable Items: watches, clothing, sneakers, etc.
- Health: control of medication, behavior, etc.
And several other uses!!! The main purpose is to interact with everyday objects and react based on measurements and environment analysis. (Please go to this link to view more examples and explanations).
But what language do things connected to the internet speak ?
The languages that machines speak are called communication protocols, they don’t only determine which words they use to communicate, but also when and how these words are used.
The machines use a large number of protocols for each specific communication task they must perform and the most common is HTTP (the protocol that allows web browsing).
Nowadays, the number of “things” that can be connected to the Internet is very high, the advancement of communication networks and microelectronics allowed us to imagine a world in which not only computers were connected, but also everyday objects.
In 2019 there were 26,660 million things connected to the internet and the forecast for 2025 is that there will be more than 75 million.
Many of those devices work with batteries, therefore reducing the consumption of communicating for them is a key to maximizing their duration and energy efficiency. For example, we don’t need the same connection speed to turn a light on and off as when we watch a series via streaming.
For this reason, to communicate with each other, “things” usually use low-speed networks in which small messages are exchanged, allowing a considerable reduction in energy consumption. Sometimes, Wi-Fi networks are not used and new networks such as ZigBee or BLE (bluetooth low energy) have been designed, instead, using new protocols. Due to this reason many devices need an intermediate element that translates the protocols between networks.
On the other hand, in the same way that on internet machines use the well-known HTTP protocol to exchange information, things need a protocol
equivalent to offer services to users, for example when a light sensor detects that night has come it can automatically turn on several lights inside the home. The protocols things use most are: MQTT (system more complex but more scalable) and CoAP ( request-response system simpler but less scalable).
If you are wondering which one is better, the appropriate answer would be that it depends on the scope of application, but for sure the lack of a common language may complicate the massive use of technology.
But beyond this, I’d say that the biggest challenge in “IoT” is becoming truly useful in the eyes of the end user. That means responding to a need and doing it in a practical way, quickly and easily.
There are also other concerns regarding privacy and security issues, which can make devices easily hackable, and threats to data privacy, especially personal data, stored in cloud services. New IoT devices come out almost daily, all with undiscovered vulnerabilities and lack of a secure update mechanism. But one of the biggest IoT security risks and challenges is the user’s ignorance and lack of awareness of the IoT functionality. As a result, everybody is put at risk. (To read more about this please go to this link).
But apart from all this concerns, in my opinion, IoT is wonderful in many ways, it provides: Connectivity (ability to operate multiple things from one device), Efficiency (less time spent performing the same tasks), Convenience (save your time and make your life easier), Wellness (for example monitoring your health goals), Conservation (environment impact), Personalization (adapted to your preferences).
And those are benefits for people, users, but it also have a lot of benefits to big companies and SMBs (If you’d like to read more about this check those two links: 7 Real Benefits that IoT Brings and 5 Benefits of the Internet of Things for SMBs).
Let’s see some examples of IOT you should know
Connected Cars
There is a company that provides over-the-air (OTA) updates and data management services for connected cars, users can choose to have family or friends automatically and immediately notified in the event of a crash.
There is also an app for iOS and Android which receives data from a variety of sensors to keep you informed about your car’s current status and immediate or future maintenance needs, it allows parents or caretakers to get email alerts if a young driver exceeds set thresholds or tries to circumvent them.
Connected Homes
Using a single app, users can monitor and control nearly everything in their homes, remotely monitor their property to check for damage or intruders.
There is also a company that in addition to controlling lighting and appliances, lets users monitor windows, doors, water leaks, smoke and more via sensors.
An other example comes from a company that makes wireless/cellular home security systems that are disaster-ready, protected against power outages, operate on extra-secure networks and employ deep encryption.
Connected Retail/Hospitability
A company uses IoT-enabled container sensors to manage waste and recycling services for a variety of sectors, including retail. Sensors collect Dumpster data that can then be compared with collection schedules so waste haulers can’t bill you for collections that weren’t made.
Connected Health
A system connects patients and doctors via proactive monitoring whose end goals are early detection of heart failure, better informed medical interventions, more efficient patient management and much more. For patients with heart issues, doctors can implant a tiny Endotronix sensor to monitor pulmonary arterial pressure instead of doing a much more invasive heart catheterization.
A nonprofit company, provides data analytics tools and lightweight sensor services to those in the global public health and climate change sectors. Its team of computer scientists, software engineers, public health experts and many others works extensively in low-and middle-income countries. Their project facilitates loans for Indian women in the state of Odisha to buy clean-burning (and therefore less harmful), more energy-efficient stoves that register usage via thermal sensors and send data to a wall-mounted monitor, from which it is later downloaded via bluetooth.
Connected Cities
A company develops human-powered mobility for cities. Their wheel is compatible with nearly all bikes and greatly boosts pedaling power.
Another company urban planning software is used to design sustainable cities, modeling the impacts and benefits (on things like transit accessibility, public health and emissions).
Reference below: 24 Top Internet-of-Things (IOT) examples.
And last but not least… let me introduce some weird enabled devices you should also know
- Smart cat litter tray: sends you a notification when your cat ‘does their business’.
- Smart snoring solution: consists of a pad under your pillow linked to a little gadget by your bed. When you start to snore, it gently moves your head to open your airways: no more snoring, and they claim you won’t feel a thing, either.
- Smart toilet: With an auto-open heated seat and built-in speakers, it’s got everything you could ever imagine. You can even personalise your experience, and voice active the different presets.
- Smart salt shaker: ‘the world’s first interactive centerpiece and salt dispenser’ that can play music and produce mood lighting as well as measuring out your salt.
- Smart toaster: It ‘makes burning your bread far more fun’. You can use your smart phone to set the darkness of your toast, and if a friend has the same toaster you can send them a picture on toast.
Sounds Crazy?? Sounds Great?? What I truly think is that IoT promises to open the door to a Revolutionary World, totally interconnected, in which the realtionships between objects, the environment and people will become closer, changing the definition of what being “on line” means. There are some issues that could get in the way, but this is something that is happening right now, so we need to face the challenges, maximize the benefits and reduce the risks. A smart World is yet to come, we have to be ready!
Hope you’ve enjoyed this reading :)
