The Internet of Things is transforming every corner of life: the home, the office, city streets and beyond. IoT products give us greater control over door locks, lights and appliances; resource consumption habits; business processes; and better connect us to the people, systems and environments that shape our daily lives.
What is the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the millions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the internet, collecting and sharing data.
Because of cheap processors and wireless networks, it's possible to turn anything, from a pill to an aeroplane, into part of the IoT. This adds a level of digital intelligence to devices, enabling them to communicate without a human being involved, and merging the digital and physical worlds.
A lightbulb that can be switched on using a smartphone app is an IoT device, as is a motion sensor or a smart thermostat in your office or a connected streetlight. An IoT device could be as fluffy as a child's toy or as serious as a driverless truck, or as complicated as a jet engine that's filled with thousands of sensors collecting and transmitting data back to make sure it is operating efficiently. At an even bigger scale, smart city projects are filling entire regions with sensors to help us understand and control the environment.
IoT and consumers
IoT promises to make our environment - our homes and offices and vehicles - smarter, more measurable, and chattier. Smart speakers like Amazon's Echo and Google Home make it easier to play music, set timers, or get information. Home security systems make it easier to monitor what's going on inside and outside, or to see and talk to visitors. Meanwhile, smart thermostats can help us heat our homes before we arrive back, and smart lightbulbs can make it look like we're home when we're out.
IoT and businesses
Occasionally known as the Industrial IoT, the benefits of the IoT for business depend on the implementation. Enterprise use of IoT can be divided into two segments: industry-specific offerings like sensors in a generating plant or real-time location devices for healthcare; and IoT devices that can be used in all industries, like smart air conditioning or security systems.
IoT security and privacy?
Security is one the biggest issues with the IoT. These sensors are collecting in many cases extremely sensitive data - what you say and do in your own home, for example.
Researchers found 100,000 webcams that could be hacked with ease, while some internet-connected smartwatches for children have been found to contain security vulnerabilities that allow hackers to track the wearer's location, eavesdrop on conversations, or even communicate with the user.
IoT evolution: Where does the Internet of Things go next?
As the price of sensors and communications continue to drop, it becomes cost-effective to add more devices to the IoT. As the number of connected devices continues to rise, our living and working environments will become filled with smart products -- assuming we are willing to accept the security and privacy trade-offs.
The IoT has a lot to offer not only for consumers but for businesses as well. Today's companies need to take full advantage of IoT devices, platforms and tools to build business models that will thrive in a more connected world.
Are you ready to take your company to the next level?