Internet of Things

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.
You can learn more about connected devices and build your own IoT device
with the University of Colorado Boulder’s online specialization, 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.
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.
IoT jobs
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.

Internet of Things

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What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a network of physical devices. These devices

Internet of Things examples

3 types of IoT applications

2. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

How does IoT work?

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning

Benefits of the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things in health care

The Internet of Things in business

Potential drawbacks of IoT

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