Internet of Things (IoT) is all about connecting ordinary everyday objects with the internet. Devices like the thermostat, coffee machine, fitness band, refrigerator, lights, fans and many more can be connected together to operate in a way the user desires. IoT is another technological leap we are experiencing which is set to simplify our life. It has the potential to radically transform our daily lives.
To give a brief idea about how IoT system works, it simply integrates four distinct components: sensors/devices, connectivity, data processing, and a user interface.
- Sensors/devices: collect the data from their environment. This could be temperature, heart-rate, or any other measurable parameter.
- Connectivity: The collected data is then sent to the cloud using different methods like Wifi, Bluetooth etc. For example a fitness band connected to the phone that sends the heart-rate data to the cloud.
- Data Processing: Once the data is sent to the cloud, the software then performs specific processing on it. The heart-rate data in crude form is then processed to derive meaningful information from it.
- User Interface: The information is then represented in a readable format for the end-user. An app that syncs the fitness band data, can display heart-rate activity. It can also give out warnings for unusual heart-rate.
The number of devices connect over IoT systems has already crossed the total population of the world and expected to reach 50 billion by 2020 with 19 trillion dollar market in profit in the next 10 years. This shows a tremendous boost in choices and opportunities for customers and businesses alike.
Here are some of the real world applications that we are able to see today in some industries.
- Smart Homes: Bluetooth lighting, heating, air conditioning are being automated using IoT, making appliances smarter. Smart Home Hubs like Amazon Echo and Google Home are becoming household IoT devices. Nest is among the leaders in Home Automation, offering customers number of smart devices like thermostats, indoor cameras, and alarms. The Nest thermostat learns about customer preferences and automatically adjusts the temperature. In addition to a comfortable environment, it also ensures energy efficiency.
- Manufacturing & Automation: IoT finds application in manufacturing equipments, process designing, asset management, supply chain networks, process optimization, safety management and many such processes. Amazon Go is a new IoT connected store with no checkout lines required. Amazon uses the same kind of technology used in self driving cars, computer vision, sensor fusion and deep learning. Customers can just walk in the store, pick up the products and leave. The store detects items that were taken and prepares a virtual cart. The customer then gets the receipt that is charged on the Amazon Account.
- Agriculture: Agriculture productivity heavily relies on data of humidity, precipitation, soil quality, pH value and many other factors. IoT enabled devices can offer timely reliable information to the farmers. Blossom is a smart watering system that uses real time weather data and forecasts to create an optimal watering schedule for the yard. It offers real-time weather analytics that gathers current local data from multiple weather services to generate optimal watering plan.
- Healthcare: IoT devices can be used in Remote healthcare monitoring and emergency notification systems. These can range from blood pressure and heart-rate monitors to advanced implants like pacemakers and hearing aids.
- Transportation: IoT devices can spring up innovative solutions in vehicle tracking, inventory management, logistic management, vehicle quality testing and so on.
- Smart Cities: The concept of Smart Cities is gaining ground all over the world. IoT devices can optimize all aspects of city life. Processes like water supply and garbage can become extremely efficient.
IoT is a rapidly evolving phenomena that has endless possibilities. The pan-industry applications indicate that IoT is here to stay for the long haul. There are a few roadblocks on the way like security and privacy concerns, stability, standardization, and smarter data analysis. The IT ecosystem is working incessantly to get them sorted and clear the way. With time, businesses are bound to jump on the IoT bandwagon, as it will positively impact almost every aspect of the business world.
We at Aurora are passionate believers of Technology and its ability to build a better, connected or to rephrase it - a better connected world. We keep ourselves updated with the IoT technology and have the necessary skills to build the applications. Here’s a glimpse of what we do that can demonstrate the power of IoT in transforming your business.
