IoT stands for Internet of Things. Any device that connects to the Internet and performs meaningful tasks like triggering of an automatic alert after noticing an event or operations via user input from a remote location can be categorized as an IoT device.
Even living organisms that are integrated with IoT implants in the form of chips or sensors form an important part of the IoT universe. Examples of such IoT installations can be seen in medical field and animal husbandry. Animals are integrated with injectable chips known as biochip transponders for the purpose of tracking their whereabouts. In the medical field, heart implants like IoT pacemakers are common place as they help in the collection of health-related data.
The IoT Evolution and Potential
Since the creation of fire and wheel in the early human times, every new innovation has been a byproduct of man’s desire for convenience. Fast forward to the year 1999, and the world saw the creation of the term IoT (Internet of Things) by Kevin Ashton – an MIT professor. However, IoT tech has been under development long before Mr. Ashton made the effort of naming it to what it is called today.
Regardless of how it came to be known as IoT, it is the single most powerful paradigm that is shaping up to reshape the way we look at technology. Already in 2019, almost 26.66 billion IoT devices were operational and this number is expected to skyrocket in the coming future. An estimate by reliable sources expects IoT devices to rise up to a count of 75 billion by the time we enter 2025. Such exalted stats point to a strong belief in IoT tech and its future potential to make human life better in all respects.
A Real-World IoT Example
To understand how IoT can reshape our lifestyle, below is a possible future scenario:
You board a flight to another country. As you turn off the flight mode on your smartphone, it comes into action. Without any user input, it uses the IoT data connectivity to connect to the Internet and makes a hotel reservation based on your past preference. It also books a cab for you and provides you a notification with a GPS walking route to your cab. You board the cab and the driver doesn’t ask you a thing. He simply drives to the hotel that you have booked as the route is already updated on his IoT-powered GPS.
At the same time, your behavioral preferences and how you would like the hotel room to be is already updated on the IoT-powered iPad of the hotel manager. He transfers that information to the hotel server that controls all the IoT sensors and devices. The hotel manager provides you a digital key that comes with an IoT chip. As you reach your hotel room, the RFID scanner on the door picks up the RFID signal from your IoT-powered digital key. Upon scanning the key, it opens the door automatically. It adjusts the air conditioning temperature exactly as per your preferences and sets the light to match your mood.
Important Requirements of an IoT Platform
While the above-mentioned scenario, in all of its totality, may seem like a distant dream, but we are seeing certain elements come together at the time of writing of this answer. We are at a juncture where telcos have understood the potential of the IoT platform and are doing their best to fulfill the most essential requirements. Have a look at some of the important requirements of a potent IoT platform that can leverage the IoT tech:
1. A range of connectivity options – The most integral part of an IoT framework is the connectivity that is used for linking a myriad of IoT devices. IoT data connectivity that is consistent and conducive for specific IoT applications is the need of the hour. Generally, high speed data connectivity is regarded as the best type of connectivity when it comes to connecting to transferring data from one device another, but it is not the case in the IoT world. IoT data connectivity has to be exactly as per requirement. For example, in cases where sensor discharge is a real concern, high speed connectivity may cause the whole setup to fail by expediting sensor discharge. For such cases, it is required that the connectivity is provided by LoRA or Narrowband IoT networks. Also, there can be cases where you may need to traverse thick walls and underground basements, for which, you need bespoke connectivity solutions to ensure consistent performance of the IoT network.
2. Tracking and reporting of IoT transactions – IoT devices are expected to generate multiple zettabytes of data that needs to be tracked and reported. Without reliable tracking and reporting, it would be hard for telcos to monetize IoT services, especially in these times where Gen Y does not want to spend a penny extra for their usage of data. Therefore, it is essential for an IoT connectivity provider to have high-powered resources and a centralized OCS that charges all transactions in real-time and maintains accuracy in charging and billing.
3. Analytics for insight generation – Understanding consumer behavior paves the way for true IoT success for telecom operators. The extremely large amount of data generated by IoT devices simply cannot be analyzed by human minds. A powerful analytics system needs to be integrated with the billing system to ensure automatic insight generation, which can be useful for businesses.
4. Scalability – The IoT requirements in terms of processing will keep on growing at an unprecedented rate. Therefore, you cannot be stuck with an IoT platform that has limited processing capabilities. It is essential that the platform that you employ comes with horizontal scalability to allow the addition of new servers for processing an ever-increasing amount of data generated by perpetually increasing IoT devices.
5. High availability of servers, fault tolerance and self-diagnosis capabilities – An IoT platform will be responsible for performing a range of functions that directly influence humans in all walks of life. From opening of a door to starting a microwave placed at a remote location, it can perform a range of tasks. Therefore, you cannot have any downtime as your most important tasks depend on IoT data connectivity to the servers. Hence, highly available servers are the need of the hour. Also, these servers should have high fault tolerance along with self-diagnosis capabilities to ensure that the servers come back online fast, whenever a fault is encountered.
6. Security – IoT devices transmit large amount of data every day. This data contains vital customer information like email address, bank account information, social security number etc. Hence, the transmitted data should be encrypted with robust security encryption like AES and the data stored at the server should also be secured with intrusion-proof measures. Therefore, telcos should choose an IoT connectivity provider that can guarantee the security of the data at all times.
7. Safety of data – Nature can also play spoilsport in your IoT venture by destroying the data stored at a particular location. Therefore, telcos should use cloud environment for data security as it protects customer information via redundancy i.e. if one server is compromised then the data can be retrieved from another server located at a different location.
8. Innovative functionalities to address unique IoT challenges – As the number of devices in an IoT network is pretty large, it would be illogical to expect users updating each and every sensor and device manually. Therefore, it is required that the IoT platform comes with innovative functionalities like OTA (Over the Air) firmware upgrade.
IoT Applications in Different Industries
Hospitals and medical centers
Hospitals and medical centers extensively utilize IoT tech for monitoring patients. IoT provides tremendous cost benefits for both hospitals and patients as it reduces patient visits to the premises. Also, it leads to better monitoring of the patients as doctors get frequent updates about what is going on with their health. If a doctor discovers that patient’s vitals are crashing or there is a possibility of degradation of his health, they can take proactive measures to eliminate the health problem before it becomes a major hazard. Moreover, the staff at hospital also benefits greatly from sensors integrated into medical equipment. The employees are able to track the whereabouts of the machines by simply searching for the sensor signal transmitted by the device in question. Also, the data generated by the IoT devices can be utilized by insurance companies to enhance the processing of claims and prevent medical frauds.
Agriculture
As the world population increases rapidly, the task of feeding them has become more difficult than ever. To improve the amount and quality of production, IoT integration into agricultural tasks has become a necessity. Below are some ways IoT enhances agriculture:
a) Precise farming techniques – Precision farming techniques are conceptualized to bring in more accuracy and control in agricultural tasks. IoT paraphernalia including control systems, robotics, IoT sensors, automatic hardware and vehicles can be brought into the agricultural domain for enhancing the routine agricultural operations. With precision farming it is possible to employ better irrigation techniques that can help in watering the crops optimally to prevent drought and crop flooding. Some other IoT devices for the betterment of agricultural process are soil moisture probes, VRI optimization, virtual optimizer PRO etc.
b) Drones for monitoring purpose – Drones have been in prevalence for a long time, but with IoT integration they can truly fly (no pun intended). After sensor integration, drones become real-time monitoring systems that help track the progress of the agricultural process. Integrated GIS mapping and crop health imaging are some of the IoT techniques that can be used for more effective farming.
c) Livestock management – Managing pet animals on ranch and pastures is a tricky task. However, IoT chips integrated into animals’ body make these tasks relatively easier. The IoT sensors send real-time signals to the owners, which make tracking of the animals convenient.
Automobiles and vehicle insurance
Not so long ago, self-driving cars were a dream, but not anymore. IoT has turned this dream into a reality as it allows for the integration of sensors, which can be used for navigation purposes. The sensors send real-world information to the server and the real-time analytics at the server end guide the vehicle to its destination. At the same time, the integration of sensors also helps automobile insurance company to monitor driving habits and set credit limits for premium. This is done via an IoT application called Telematics that monitors driving habits and sends data back across to the insurance company. After analyzing the data, the insurance company sets limit for the premium. If the driver is driving rash, then the premium amount is increased.
IoT devices in retail
Retail industry has benefited greatly from the incorporation of IoT devices and sensors. The advantages are especially high for those retailers who are ready to take the plunge and use IoT in a variety of cases like:
a) SCM enhancement – Supply chain management (SCM) is a vital component in the overall operation of a retail business. The use of GPS sensors and RFID tags help in the transit of goods from one location to another. Also, retailers get to know about the condition of the goods while they are being moved. For example, it is possible to gauge the storage temperature and conditions of goods at all times through real-time analytics. This information can then be utilized to optimize the process of storage in transit in the future.
b) Improved management of inventory – A lacking inventory management process can make the retail process difficult to handle. But, by integrating RFID tags and sensors into packaged goods and items, it becomes simpler to manage inventory. Even the reordering process can be automated when the inventory is low on a particular stock. Automatic orders can be generated by an IoT network for replenishing the inventory whenever the stock is nearing exhaustion.
c) Automated POS – A long queue at the checkout counters can deter buyers from making purchase of their desired goods. IoT can bring in automated Point of Sale (POS) systems that eliminate the need for manual checkout counters, thus allowing store owners to commission multiple POS for facilitating consumers. An automated system automatically reads the tags on each and every product and charges customers via an app installed on their mobile phone.
IoT devices and applications for human convenience
Probably the biggest advantage of IoT is its ability to simplify human life. IoT devices and sensors integrated into common household processes allow humans to add real value to their lives. Security cameras connected via IoT can prevent intrusion, and remote AC and microwave IoT applications allow consumers to start/stop these daily use appliances from afar. All these IoT integrations into daily life cannot be generalized but they have a direct bearing on the product manufactures and industrialists from different niches.
Genesis
IoT devices are not anything like the simple devices of the past. All IoT devices are smart devices connected via a highly-advanced network. The quality of IoT data connectivity plays a huge role in the functioning of the whole IoT network; which is why, every IoT services provider should employ the service of an accomplished IoT connectivity provider who can supply a range of quality connectivity solutions that work for different IoT use cases.
Source : blog.secureiotservices.com