What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
The term IoT (Internet of Things) refers to a collective network of interconnected devices and technologies that facilitate communication between devices and the cloud, as well as between devices themselves. With the advent of low-cost computer chips and high bandwidth telecommunications, we now have billions of devices connected to the Internet. That is to say, daily equipment such as toothbrushes, vacuum cleaners, cars, and machines can use sensors to collect data and intelligently serve users.
The Internet of Things combines daily "things" with the Internet. Since the 1990s, computer engineers have been adding sensors and processors to daily necessities. However, the initial progress of this work was very slow due to the large and bulky chips. The low-power computer chip called RFID tag is the first chip used to track expensive devices. As computing devices continue to shrink in size, these chips are also getting smaller, faster, and more intelligent.
The cost of integrating computing power into small objects has greatly decreased today. For example, you can add Alexa voice service connection function to an MCU with embedded RAM less than 1MB (such as a light switch). The entire IoT industry has sprung up like mushrooms after rain, filling our homes, businesses, and offices with IoT devices. These smart objects can automatically exchange data with the Internet. All these invisible computing devices and related technologies are collectively referred to as the Internet of Things.
What is the working principle of IoT
A typical IoT system operates by collecting and exchanging data in real-time. The IoT system has three components:
Smart devices
Equipment such as televisions, security cameras, or sports equipment with computing power. Smart devices collect data from the environment, user input, or usage patterns, and communicate with IoT applications through the network.
IoT applications
IoT applications are a collection of services and software that integrate data received from various IoT devices. It uses machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to analyze this data and make informed decisions based on it. These decisions will be transmitted back to the IoT device, which will then intelligently respond to the input.
Graphical User Interface
Users can manage IoT devices or device clusters through a graphical user interface. Common examples include mobile applications or websites used to register and control smart devices.
What are some examples of IoT devices
Let's take a look at some examples of IoT systems currently in use:
Connected Vehicles
Vehicles such as cars can be connected to the Internet in a variety of ways. This can be achieved by setting the gateway for vehicle connectivity through the intelligent instrument panel and infotainment system. They collect data from accelerators, brakes, speedometers, odometers, wheels, and fuel tanks to monitor driver performance and vehicle operation. Connected cars have a wide range of applications:
- Monitor rental fleets to improve fuel efficiency and reduce costs
- Assist parents in tracking their children's driving behavior
- Automatically notify friends and family when a car accident occurs
- Predict vehicle maintenance needs and prevent similar demands
Connected Home
Smart home devices are committed to improving the efficiency and safety of home use, as well as enhancing home networking capabilities. Smart sockets and other devices can monitor power consumption, and smart temperature regulators can better control temperature. The hydroponic system can use IoT sensors to manage the courtyard, while IoT smoke sensors can detect tobacco smoke. Home safety systems such as door locks, security cameras, and leak detectors can detect and prevent threats, and issue alerts to homeowners.
Home interconnection devices can be used for:
- Automatically shut down unused devices
- Management and maintenance of rental properties
- Find items that have been misplaced, such as keys or wallets
- Automatically perform daily tasks such as vacuuming, brewing coffee, etc
Smart City
IoT applications have improved the efficiency of urban planning and infrastructure maintenance. The government is using IoT applications to address infrastructure, health, and environmental issues. IoT applications can be used for:
- Measure air quality and radiation levels
- Reduce energy costs through intelligent lighting systems
- Check the maintenance needs of key infrastructure such as streets, bridges, and pipelines
- Efficiently manage vehicle parking arrangements to increase profits
Intelligent buildings
University campuses and commercial buildings use IoT applications to improve operational efficiency. In smart buildings, IoT devices can be used to:
- Reduce energy consumption
- Reduce maintenance costs
- Utilize the workspace more efficiently
What is Industrial IoT
Industrial IoT (IIoT) refers to intelligent devices used by manufacturing, retail, health, and other enterprises to improve business efficiency. Various industrial equipment, from sensors to devices, can provide detailed real-time data for business owners, which can be used to improve business processes. They provide insights into supply chain management, logistics, human resources, and production, thereby reducing costs and increasing revenue sources.
Let's take a look at the application of existing intelligent industrial equipment in different industries:
Manufacturing
IoT, a manufacturing enterprise, reduces unplanned downtime through predictive maintenance and further protects worker safety through wearable technology. IoT applications can predict machine failures before they occur, thereby reducing production downtime. Wearable devices in helmets and wristbands, as well as computer vision cameras, can be used to alert workers to potential hazards.
Cars
Sensor based analysis and robotics technology can improve the efficiency of automotive manufacturing and maintenance. For example, industrial sensors are used to provide 3D real-time images of internal vehicle components. It can complete diagnosis and troubleshooting faster, and the IoT system will automatically order replacement parts.
Logistics and Transportation
Commercial and industrial IoT equipment can provide assistance for supply chain management, including inventory management, supplier relationships, fleet management, and regular maintenance. Shipping companies use industrial IoT applications to track assets and optimize fuel consumption on transportation routes. This technology is particularly useful for refrigerated containers that require strict temperature control. Supply chain managers can make informed predictions through intelligent route calculation and route recalculation algorithms.
Retail
Amazon is driving innovation in automation and human-machine collaboration in the retail industry. Amazon facilities utilize networked robots to track, locate, classify, and transport products.
How can IoT improve our lives
The Internet of Things has a wide impact on human life and work. It can enable machines to undertake more heavy work, take on tedious tasks, and make life healthier, more efficient, and more comfortable..
For example, connected devices may change your daily life throughout the morning. After you press the "nap" button, your alarm will automatically start the coffee machine and open your blinds. Your refrigerator will automatically detect almost depleted food and groceries, and then order door-to-door delivery. Your smart oven will inform you of today's menu, and it can even cook pre mixed ingredients and ensure that lunch is ready for you. Your smartwatch will schedule the meeting, and your connected car will automatically set up GPS for convenient parking and refueling. There are countless opportunities in the IoT field!
What are the advantages of IoT for enterprises
Accelerate innovation
The Internet of Things enables enterprises to conduct advanced analysis and discover new opportunities. For example, companies can collect data on customer behavior to create targeted advertising campaigns.
Utilize AI and ML to transform data into insights and actions
Future results can be predicted based on collected data and historical trends. For example, warranty information can be combined with data collected by IoT to predict maintenance events. Based on this, we can proactively provide services to customers, thereby enhancing customer loyalty.
Improve security
Continuous monitoring of digital and physical infrastructure can optimize performance, improve efficiency, and reduce security risks. For example, data collected from on-site monitors can be combined with hardware and software version data to automatically schedule system updates.
Expand differentiated solutions
IoT technology can be deployed in a customer-centric manner to improve customer satisfaction. For example, popular products can be replenished in a timely manner to avoid inventory shortages.
What IoT technologies are available
The technologies used in IoT systems may include:
edge computing
Edge computing refers to the technology that enables intelligent devices to send or receive data to and from the IoT platform and perform other operations. It improves the computing power at the edge of IoT networks, reduces communication latency, and shortens response time.
Cloud computing
Cloud technology is used for remote data storage and IoT device management, allowing multiple devices in the network to access data.
Machine Learning
Machine learning refers to software and algorithms used to process data and make real-time decisions based on relevant data. These machine learning algorithms can be deployed in the cloud or at the edge.
The definition and role of AWS IoT
AWS IoT combines AI with IoT to improve business outcomes. AWS IoT is the only cloud provider that integrates data management and rich analytics into easy-to-use services designed specifically for massive IoT data.
AWS IoT includes services such as security, data encryption, and device data access control. AWS IoT is built on secure and validated cloud infrastructure and IoT networks, and can scale to billions of devices and trillions of messages. AWS IoT also integrates with other AWS services, allowing you to build complete solutions.
Build using AWS IoT
AWS IoT provides IoT services for industrial, consumer, and business solutions. You can use AWS IoT services to build applications, discover new business value, run complex analysis, detect events from a large number of IoT devices, and respond accordingly.
Create a free AWS account and start using AWS IoT now. Just started using IoT? Learn the basics and start building simple end-to-end IoT applications.
