The Internet of Things Is Far Bigger Than Anyone Realizes
Technology is changing the way we look at the world around us, and it is changing the way we live. The various technological trends are constantly affecting our lives for the better. With so many advancements coming up every week, there’s a feeling that the “next big thing” is just around the corner. And of all the latest trends from the technological world, the one trend that is the biggest topic of discussion is the Internet of Things. It is one trend that can potentially not only affect our lives, but also the way people and industries function.
So, what exactly is the Internet of Things? The analyst firm Gartner describes the concept this way: “The Internet of Things is the network of physical objects that contains embedded technology to communicate and sense or interact with the objects’ internal state or the external environment.” To take a more simplistic view of what Internet of Things is, it is instantaneously connecting any device/machine that can be switched on or off to the Internet, through sensors. In its very essence, the Internet of Things aims to increase machine-to-machine communication, building it on cloud computing and data-gathering sensors.
Internet of Things recognizes the potential that sensors present by gathering and evaluating data. So, it looks to pick up all the information from all of the sensors around the world, analyze that date and put it to use, by connecting it to the relevant machines. The key link to all this is cloud computing, without which the Internet of Things would not function. Cloud-based applications are instrumental in analyzing and transmitting the data from the sensors and relaying it to the pertinent devices and machines.
So, why exactly is the Internet of Things such a revered concept around the world today? A few examples should help one understand better. You’re on your way to an important meeting that could change things for your company, but alas traffic has some other plans in store. What if your car could have access to all the traffic information wirelessly through the internet, and find alternate routes to help you reach your destination on time? Another example of how Internet of Things is already affecting can be seen in the construction sector. Companies have been equipping silos and trucks with sensors that constantly monitor inventory levels. When sensors detect the levels falling down, the information is transmitted via a cloud-based platform to enable timely deliveries, and ensure that the work never stops.
These are only the most basic ways in which the Internet of Things can, and is affecting our world. If you take a broader point of view, with sensors that can measure force, load, vibrations and temperature among a host of other things, the possibilities really are endless. With such variety, we have the potentially to gather unlimited data. And with the means to analyze all this wealth of data into useful intelligence we could very well see the birth of the first smart city in its truest sense. This can help us immensely, not least in bringing the waste levels down, and improve efficiency in every facet of our lives. With so many possibilities, there is no wonder why Internet of Things is such a huge talking point in the world of technology today.