IoT: What is the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) has grown exponentially over the past several years, and it’s still growing rapidly. But what exactly does that mean? How do businesses and individuals benefit from the Internet of Things? And why should you care? In this article, we’ll discuss all of these questions in detail so you can understand what exactly IoT is and how it could benefit you and your business in the future.

History of the IoT

The term Internet of Things was first coined by Kevin Ashton in 1999. Ashton was working on a project at the time for Procter & Gamble that involved connecting RFID tags to objects in order to track them throughout the supply chain. He realized that if these objects could be connected to the internet, they could be tracked and monitored in real time, which would revolutionize the way businesses operate.

How Does The Internet Of Things Work?

The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the growing network of physical objects that are connected to the internet. These objects can include anything from everyday household items to industrial machinery. The beauty of IoT is that it allows us to collect and share data like never before. Imagine your refrigerator sending you a text message letting you know you're out of milk. Or your garage door sending an alert to your phone letting you know if it was left open after you left for work. By connecting the internet with everyday objects, we can make our lives easier while gaining more control over how they function. For example, say your daughter's school is having a bake sale but there's no way to remember when exactly it will happen. With the Internet of things (IoT), you could create a calendar event on your phone and set up alerts every day at 3 pm which would remind you to check in on her school's website or social media pages. You might find that her school doesn't have any events scheduled today.

What are examples of IoT devices?

There are a growing number of devices that are connected to the internet, which is what we call the internet of things (IoT). Examples of IoT devices include refrigerators that can be synced with grocery delivery services and smart thermostats. Smart televisions may not always be connected to the internet, but they still collect data on their users and report it back to companies. Other examples of IoT devices include fitness trackers, wearable technology like watches or glasses, and even pacemakers for heart patients. All these devices send information about how you use them back to the company that created them. As more people buy IoT devices, companies will continue designing them so they collect more information about you in order to sell products better tailored for your needs.

What are IoT technologies?

IoT technologies are devices and sensors that are connected to the internet and can collect and exchange data. These devices can be anything from light bulbs and door locks to cars and industrial machines. By collecting data from these devices, we can gain insights into how they are being used and how they can be improved. For example, a company might be able to figure out what customers want by looking at sales data on their website or mobile app. But with IoT technology, the company can also look at data collected from devices like an order fulfilment system. In this way, a retailer may find out which types of products customers are ordering or not ordering based on what is available in stock.

How can IoT improve our lives?

1. By making our lives more convenient: Imagine a world where your fridge automatically orders milk for you when you're running low. Or your home knows to turn on the lights and heat when you're on your way home from work.

2. By making our lives more efficient: With IoT, we can cut down on waste and conserve energy by only using the resources we need. For instance, buildings can be outfitted with sensors that detect when rooms are unoccupied and adjust the temperature accordingly. And smart meters could help households reduce their electricity usage during peak hours. In fact, according to GE's report Energy Efficient Buildings 2020-2030, a nationwide rollout of advanced metering infrastructure would reduce annual US residential demand by about 8%, saving enough electricity in 2030 to power every household in Ohio. 

In addition, as our society becomes increasingly automated and digitized, there will be an even greater need for people who understand how these systems work - which means the field of cybersecurity will become increasingly important. Finally, because so many industries rely on data analysis and decision-making driven by sensor data collected from IoT devices, experts predict that demand for statisticians will also increase dramatically in the coming years.

What are the benefits of IoT for business?

The internet of things, or IoT, refers to the billions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the internet, collecting and sharing data. IoT devices can include everything from thermostats and coffee makers to heart monitors and cars. A common use for IoT technology is smart buildings, which may be able to detect when someone walks into a room and automatically adjust the temperature based on their preferences. It could also help with energy efficiency by tracking how much electricity each appliance in a building uses.