IoT - Internet of Things Around Us
IoT - Internet of Things Around Us
Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, whether in urban or rural settings, although urban areas tend to witness greater technological advancements compared to rural areas. We now see our world expanding and heavily relying on technological advancements by integrating tools used in our daily lives, such as mechanical or manual tools, and transforming them into updated digital tools that are more efficient and faster in performance. All of this falls under the term Internet of Things (IoT). In this article, we will discuss the importance of these technologies, their nature, and how they work.
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Definition of Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term referring to modern technologies and devices that provide connectivity between each other or with cloud services. These devices collect data through wireless communication and transfer data within a specific shared network, all without human intervention but rather programmed to operate automatically. These devices contain small technological sensors that gather the required data, which is then sent to processing centers to process the incoming data from peripheral devices. These processing centers may be located within the cloud or in a central device responsible for processing the data. Then, the desired results are provided based on the device's usage. You can connect any household device or any technology used in companies, cars and various modes of transportation, stores, or security devices to the cloud and provide them with self-services and sensors to enable them to analyze the data autonomously and provide desired information or results from those devices.
How It Works in Detail
I briefly mentioned how Internet of Things technology works in the previous paragraph. Now, I'll add more details on that point, which can be divided into several steps that I will mention in order:
- Sensors: Do you have a mechanical, electrical, or manual device? Add sensors to it and program it to receive data in any way you want to provide you with an enhanced service through interacting with it. For example, if you have home lighting that operates on traditional switches, you can integrate specific sensors into it or use something a bit more popular like an Alexa device and application. You can use these methods and program them to give them specific commands to execute the operations you want. For example, clapping your hands or giving a voice command to turn the lights on or off, and it will be done automatically based on what it has been programmed to do.
- Connectivity: You need to be connected to an electronic cloud or Wi-Fi internet network, or other different networks such as Bluetooth, satellites, wide and local networks, or you can use wired internet connection using Ethernet cables. Wireless connection is mostly preferred over wired ones as it's the direction in which modern advancements and technology are heading, although cables may be faster in some cases.
- Processing: At this stage, after ensuring internet connection and receiving data through sensors, this data is mostly collected within cloud services for processing and analysis of the data received from the device sensors.
- Presenting Results: This varies depending on the type of data or the type of service provided by the IoT-enabled device, such as providing digital information on computer screens and panels, pumping water, managing wind power, generating heat and light, or emitting sounds.
Examples of IoT Services
- Security and Safety: Such as surveillance cameras with motion sensors that may be connected to an alert device so that if any unusual movements are detected, it emits alarm sounds.
- Home Appliances: Used in home lighting, kitchen appliances, or cleaning tools like robotic vacuum cleaners that clean the floor automatically, and modern washing machines and refrigerators, among others.
- Doors: Automatic doors that open directly when you stand in front of them, which may be integrated with a small camera that monitors movement or motion sensors that open the doors for you when they detect your movement. These are commonly found in malls, companies, and institutions.
- Alexa: This device can be programmed to execute what you ask of it, such as controlling lighting, locking doors, operating air conditioning, playing music, and many other tasks. You can integrate multiple commands under a specific name, such as setting a mode called "Sleep Time" that turns off lights, sets the air conditioning to a comfortable temperature for sleep, and plays some quiet music.
- Metal Detector: Contains sensors that detect the presence of metals underground and search for them.
- Medical Devices: Such as pulse devices and vital signs monitors in the human body and nerves.
- Transportation Means: Like self-driving and parking cars, equipped with sensors to measure distances and detect obstacles on the roads it examines, determining how to avoid them or park between them, or communicating these sensors within a connected map in satellites and launching to the desired destination automatically.
There are numerous examples in our lives and continuous updates on devices and modern technology. Just look around you and search for examples of the Internet of Things.
Advantages of IoT:
- Speed and efficiency in providing high-precision services.
- Saving time and effort.
- Reducing potential costs and risks that may affect humans in difficult tasks.
- Reducing dependence on human labor in task performance.
- Providing comfort and facilitating tasks.
Tips
You should take appropriate measures before using these advanced devices. It is essential to ensure the credibility of the product you are using, which will provide you with the desired service, as well as the availability of maintenance possibilities or specialized entities to provide maintenance for these devices in case of malfunction or damage. Additionally, the possibility of penetration of these technologies is possible, so you should know how to secure Internet of Things services, especially in devices that provide sensitive services such as safes that store your private documents or security and safety measures, among others.
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