Use of Internet Of Things

The Internet of things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data. Each thing is uniquely identifiable through its embedded computing system but is able to inter-operate within the existing Internet infrastructure.

A lot more, in fact, IDC research says that there are around 13 billion connected devices in use worldwide already and that that number could expand to 30 billion within the next three years, generating over 20 zettabytes of data. (There were less than 4 billion smartphone subscriptions active around the world in Ericsson’s most recent Mobility Report.) .

If you are wondering what impact will IoT have on the economy then for your information as per the Cisco report IoT will generate $14.4 trillion in value across all industries in the next decade. Yes, you are thinking correctly IoT will bring a wave, nobody can foresee.

This new wave of connectivity is going beyond laptops and smartphones, it’s going towards connected cars, smart homes, connected wearables, smart cities and connected healthcare. Basically a connected life.

IoT devices are a part of the larger concept of home automation, also known as domotics. Large smart home systems utilize a main hub or controller to provide users with a central control for all of their devices. These devices can include lighting, heating and air conditioning, media and security systems. Ease of usability is the most immediate benefit to connecting these functionalities. Long-term benefits can include the ability to create a more environmentally friendly home by automating some functions such as ensuring lights and electronics are turned off. One of the major obstacles to obtaining smart home technology is the high initial cost. Means, smart Home products are promised to save time, energy and money.

Industrial Internet is the new buzz in the industrial sector, also termed as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). It is empowering industrial engineering with sensors, software, and big data analytics to create brilliant machines.

Network control and management of manufacturing equipment, asset and situation management, or manufacturing process control bring the IoT within the realm of industrial applications and smart manufacturing as well. The IoT intelligent systems enable rapid manufacturing of new products, dynamic response to product demands, and real-time optimization of manufacturing production and supply chain networks, by networking machinery, sensors and control systems together.

Digital control systems to automate process controls, operator tools, and service information systems to optimize plant safety and security are within the purview of the IoT. But it also extends itself to asset management via predictive maintenance, statistical evaluation, and measurements to maximize reliability. Smart industrial management systems can also be integrated with the Smart Grid, thereby enabling real-time energy optimization. Measurements, automated controls, plant optimization, health and safety management, and other functions are provided by a large number of networked sensors.

Supply chains have been getting smarter for some years already. Solutions for tracking goods while they are on the road, or getting suppliers to exchange inventory information have been on the market for years. So while it is perfectly logical that the topic will get a new push with the Internet of Things, it seems that so far its popularity remains limited.

A smart city is another powerful application of IoT generating curiosity among world’s population. Smart surveillance, automated transportation, smarter energy management systems, water distribution, urban security, environmental monitoring, traffic management to water distribution, to waste management. Its popularity is fueled by the fact that many Smart City solutions promise to alleviate real pains of people living in cities these days. IoT solutions in the area of Smart City solve traffic congestion problems, reduce noise and pollution and help make cities safer. By installing sensors and using web applications, citizens can find free available parking slots across the city. Also, the sensors can detect meter tampering issues, general malfunctions and any installation issues in the electricity system.

Monitoring and controlling operations of urban and rural infrastructures like bridges, railway tracks, on- and offshore- wind-farms is a key application of the IoT. The IoT infrastructure can be used for monitoring any events or changes in structural conditions that can compromise safety and increase risk. It can also be used for scheduling repair and maintenance activities in an efficient manner, by coordinating tasks between different service providers and users of these facilities. IoT devices can also be used to control critical infrastructure like bridges to provide access to ships. Usage of IoT devices for monitoring and operating infrastructure is likely to improve incident management and emergency response coordination, and quality of service, up-times and reduce costs of operation in all infrastructure related areas. Even areas such as waste management can benefit from automation and optimization that could be brought in by the IoT.

Intelligent shopping systems, for example, could monitor specific users' purchasing habits in a store by tracking their specific mobile phones. These users could then be provided with special offers on their favorite products, or even location of items that they need, which their fridge has automatically conveyed to the phone. Additional examples of sensing and actuating are reflected in applications that deal with heat, water, electricity and energy management, as well as cruise-assisting transportation systems. Other applications that the Internet of things can provide is enabling extended home security features and home automation. The concept of an "Internet of living things" has been proposed to describe networks of biological sensors that could use cloud-based analyses to allow users to study DNA or other molecules.

Media use of the Internet of things is primarily concerned with marketing and studying consumer habits. Through behavioral targeting, these devices collect many actionable points of information about millions of individuals. Using the profiles built during the targeting process, media producers present display advertising in line with the consumer's known habits at a time and location to maximize its effect. Further information is collected by tracking how consumers interact with the content. This is done through conversion tracking, drop off rate, click through rate, registration rate, and interaction rate. The size of the data often presents challenges as it crosses into the realm of big data. However, in many cases, benefits gained from the data stored greatly outweigh these challenges.

The IoT contributes significantly towards innovating farming methods. Farming challenges caused by population growth and climate change have made it one of the first industries to utilize the IoT. The integration of wireless sensors with agricultural mobile apps and cloud platforms helps in collecting vital information pertaining to the environmental conditions temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed, pest infestation, soil humus content or nutrients, besides others  linked with a farmland, can be used to improve and automate farming techniques, make informed decisions to improve quality and quantity, and minimize risks and wastes. The app-based field or crop monitoring also lowers the hassles of managing crops at multiple locations. For example, farmers can now detect which areas have been fertilized (or mistakenly missed), if the land is too dry and predict future yields.

IoT devices can be used to enable remote health monitoring and emergency notification systems. These health monitoring devices can range from blood pressure and heart rate monitors to advanced devices capable of monitoring specialized implants, such as pacemakers, Fitbit electronic wristbands, or advanced hearing aids. Some hospitals have begun implementing "smart beds" that can detect when they are occupied and when a patient is attempting to get up. It can also adjust itself to ensure appropriate pressure and support is applied to the patient without the manual interaction of nurses. According to the latest research, US Department of Health plans to save up to USD 300 billion from the national budget due to medical innovations.

Smart farming is an often overlooked business-case for the internet of Things because it does not really fit into the well-known categories such as health, mobility, or industrial. However, due to the remoteness of farming operations and the large number of livestock that could be monitored the Internet of Things could revolutionize the way farmers work. But this idea has not yet reached large-scale attention. Nevertheless, one of the Internet of Things applications that should not be underestimated. Smart farming will become the important application field in the predominantly agricultural-product exporting countries.

There are many such BIG open thoughts roaming around IoT. Big names are not behind to adopt this technology, but in fact, they have started implementing IoT  

Dell is also providing a distributed core computing model to focus on the real-time processing of information. Michael Dell, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies said it is "leading the way for our customers with a new distributed computing architecture that brings IoT and artificial intelligence together in one, interdependent ecosystem from the edge to the core to the cloud.".

Dr. Markus Voss, CIO for DHL said: "This is the early stage in terms of the technology and we are open to partnerships, not just with tech giants but also startups, as well as research institutes. It really is an ecosystem of partners.".

Via its 'Maritime ICT Cloud' system, the company uses sensors on its ships to monitor vessel location, speed and the temperature for heat-sensitive cargo, all in real-time. The data can then be shared with companies that are shipping goods, from production and warehouse distribution to final delivery.

Through IoT, Daimler is already automating several safety procedures when its vehicles are on the road. For example, Daimler lorries are already fitted with proximity control, stop-and-go assist, emergency brake assist, lane-keeping assist and 3D maps, all to help drivers keep a safe distance from cars and other vehicles on the road.

Virgin Atlantic IT director David Bulman said: "The latest planes we are getting, the Boeing 787s, are incredibly connected. Literally, every piece of that plane has an internet connection, from the engines to the flaps, to the landing gear.".

John Deere manufactures equipment for agricultural, construction, and forestry industries. It is using big data and IoT to monitor the level of moisture in the soil to help farmers 'make timely irrigation decisions'.

Disney World has created 'MagicBand', a wearable wristband containing RFID tags. Disney World visitors can check-in to the park, buy food and gain fast pass on rides by tapping the band on receivers.

While sounding laughable at first, the 'internet of cows' is a great example of a useful IoT application. Working with the National Trust, BT monitored the cow’s location in order to prevent theft.

Following is the example which clicked me and put me in more thoughts that you get menu card on mobile, you select the food you want to eat as per your mood. Just select taste whether you prefer to go with more or less spice and select OK. Now your advance Oven at home takes charge of your order and before you reach home your tasty food is ready.

IoT will bridge the gap between physical and digital world to improve the quality and productivity of life, society, and industries. IoT will help humanity to increase its efficiency. Increasing efficiency means more output with the same input or the same output with less input. Inputs could include time, energy, money, or resources. Output could be units produced or tasks accomplished. IoT promises to bring immense value to our lives.

But because IoT is so broad and far-reaching of a concept, it is possible that our wearable like Shoes, Shirt, Trouser, Google comes with IoT sensors and do some functions. Let’s see what next. !!