Not so long ago, we imagined a world in which our everyday objects would come to life, performing everyday tasks for us. The truth is that, although this has not happened as we thought it would, we are getting closer and closer to seeing truly incredible things. All of this will be thanks to what is known as the Internet of Things (IoT). But what is IoT and how does it work?
How does the Internet of Things work?
The Internet of Things is a technology that aims to interconnect smart devices, evolving them from mere everyday objects to artificially intelligent devices. By being connected to the internet and adapting these devices, everyday objects can be transformed into machines capable of making autonomous decisions.
As a result, there are automated homes that detect all kinds of weather variables. It is also possible to have IoT applications that can monitor our vital signs and alert us to problems in advance.
The possibilities are endless and we will talk about them in this article, so join us to discover the future of this technology.
What technology is used?
The Internet of Things relies on different technologies to make everyday objects part of a large intelligent network and improve our lives substantially.
Technologies used in IoT include:
- RFID
- Nanotechnology
- Big Data
- Artificial Intelligence (deep learning and machine learning)
- Application of IoT Sensors
- Integration of the Internet into devices
Broadly speaking, with the use of these combined technologies, increasingly intelligent sensors and receivers will be implemented in everyday objects such as refrigerators, washing machines or coffee machines.
Ideally, these technologies will be so integrated that they will be imperceptible.
Moreover, by constantly collecting and sending data, they will be able to harness artificial intelligence to exponentially improve their potential.
In this way, they will become increasingly useful thanks to machine learning.
Which is the future of the Internet of Things?
The applications of the Internet of Things are very numerous, which is why it is predicted that they will continue to grow exponentially in the future.
The Internet of Things already coexists with us. One of the clearest examples is domotic (home automation) which has allowed the creation of smart homes.
The development of IoT platforms will, among other things, enable substantial advances in sensor and transmitter technology. This will make it possible to automate vehicles of all kinds safely, improve the analysis of industrial processes and scale the distribution network of different industries.
Of course, this idea will also be applied to the concept of ‘Smart Cities’, with networks of devices connected to the Internet. They will send each other signals about traffic and driving conditions or even allow vehicles to limit their speed automatically.
IoT applications will also have a future in sectors with a high level of human intervention, such as the health sector. IoT devices already allow patients to be monitored automatically and remotely.
However, in the future, they will enable highly accurate disease prevention and the safe automation of medical interventions.
What is the Internet of Things really for?
Let us now answer one of the most common questions when we think about this topic:
What are the best examples of IoT device monitoring?
The benefits of IoT are countless. That’s why, in order to answer this question, we will give different examples of the fields where connected devices can be applied thanks to the internet of things:
- Home automation: home temperature control, smart toilets, home lighting control, smart fridges, iot monitoring of our pets, etc.
- Health: recording vital signs, warning of emerging diseases, changes in insulin levels… all of this can be monitored with IoT devices.
- Industry: Internet of Things applications in the industry allow you to automate the supply chain. IIot It also allows you to collect data to prevent stock-outs and create safer workspaces with machines performing dangerous tasks.
- Traffic: IoT data can be used to prevent traffic accidents, and automate vehicles and speed limits.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Internet of Things
Through time, major technological advances have their advantages and disadvantages. In this section, we will try to break down the positive and negative points that the application of the Internet of Things brings with it.
Advantages of IoT
The main advantages we find when thinking about IoT applications are the following:
- It allows total automation of many processes that used to pose huge risks to humans.
- It helps us to prevent problems in many areas of life through data collecting and real time monitoring, enhanced by AI systems.
- Generate more energy-efficient processes and reduce costs thanks to automation, as well as reduce the environmental impact of these processes.
Disadvantages of IoT
Although we have constantly talked about the positive applications of the Internet of Things for people, this advanced technology also brings with it some disadvantages:
- Manage IoT devices requires constant emission and reception of private data to optimise the processes they carry out. This data, like the data stored on the internet by our mobiles or computers, can be hacked or leaked.
- It requires a considerable upfront investment to install the smart devices or deploy the technology in objects that are likely to become IoT devices.
- The devices require a common network and system, which allows efficient interconnection without friction.
- Some technologies that implement IoT sacrifice user privacy for a greater collective benefit by collecting data and cross-referencing it with thousands of users.
How do I specialise in IoT?
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably as fascinated as we are by what the Internet of Things is and what it can become. It’s a sector that is constantly evolving, with great possibilities and that can completely change the way we operate in many areas.
Knowing all this, you may be wondering, how can I specialise in IoT?
An IoT professional must learn to develop end-to-end solutions, know IoT communication protocols, as well as acquire knowledge in architecture and IT security. All this is in addition to developing a business vision to develop new IoT applications.
But the truth is that anyone with technical skills and a passion for the technology sector can become a great IoT specialist.
