What is IoT ?
term IoT encompasses everything connected to the internet, but it is increasingly being used to define objects that "talk" to each other. "Simply, the Internet of Things is made up of devices – from simple sensors to smartphones and wearables – connected together," By combining these connected devices with automated systems, it is possible to "gather information, analyse it and create an action" to help someone with a particular task, or learn from a process.
The IoT is a giant network of connected "things" (which also includes people). The relationship will be between people-people, people-things, and things-things.
How has this happened ?
Broadband Internet is become more widely available, the cost of connecting is decreasing, more devices are being created with Wi-Fi capabilities and sensors built into them, technology costs are going down, and smartphone penetration is sky-rocketing. All of these things are creating
Why do connected devices need to share data? Because….
- it offers us opportunity to be more efficient in how we do things in our life
- it Saves our time and money
- it is environmentally friendly
For Example – from a personal life
Say for example you are on your way to a meeting; your car could have access to your calendar and already know the best route to take. If the traffic is heavy your car might send a text to the other party notifying them that you will be late. What if your alarm clock wakes up you at 6 a.m. and then notifies your coffee maker to start brewing coffee for you? What if your office equipment knew when it was running low on supplies and automatically re-ordered more? What if the wearable device you used in the workplace could tell you when and where you were most active and productive and shared that information with other devices that you used while working?
For Example – From Medicine
IoT devices can be used to enable remotely monitor patients health , ability to send emergency notifications to medical professionals. . These health monitoring devices can range from blood pressure and heart rate monitors to advanced devices capable of monitoring specialized implants, such as pacemakers, Fitbit electronic wristbands, or advanced hearing aids.
Some hospitals have begun implementing "smart beds" that can detect when they are occupied and when a patient is attempting to get up. It can also adjust itself to ensure appropriate pressure and support is applied to the patient without the manual interaction of nurses.(According to the latest research, US Department of Health plans to save up to USD 300 billion from the national budget due to medical innovations.)
Specialized sensors can also be equipped within living spaces to monitor the health and general well-being of senior citizens, while also ensuring that proper treatment is being administered and assisting people regain lost mobility via therapy as well.Other consumer devices to encourage healthy living, such as, connected scales or wearable heart monitors, are also a possibility with the IoT. More and more end-to-end health monitoring IoT platforms are coming up for antenatal and chronic patients, helping one manage health vitals and recurring medication requirements.
Potential Problems of IoT
IoT also opens up companies all over the world to more security threats.
we have the issue of privacy and data sharing.
massive amounts of data that all of these devices are going to produce. Companies need to figure out a way to store, track, analyze and make sense of the vast amounts of data that will be generated.
Connected objects need to be able to speak to each other to transfer data and share what they are recording. If they all run on different standards, they struggle to communicate and share.
Try Paper - March 2017 B8
Internet of Things (IOT) sensors can be used as a source for gathering data.
a) Define what is meant by Internet of Things (4 marks)
b) Using either a medical or commercial example, describe the type of sensors that could be used and the type of data that could be collected. (8 marks)
Sources
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobmorgan/2014/05/13/simple-explanation-internet-things-that-anyone-can-understand/#70f471d31d09
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/internet-of-things-what-is-explained-iot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_things