There’s a good chance you use connected devices every day and aren’t even aware that they are IoT devices. Nowadays, these are everywhere and have become part of our daily lives, both at home and in business.
What are IoT devices?
Internet of Things (IoT) devices are objects that are intelligently connected through wireless sensors, software, and other technologies.
The term ‘Things’, in this context, defines that anything can be an IoT device if it is ready for it. From a person’s blood pressure monitor, to a programmable thermostat, a pacemaker, an automated lock, a refrigerator and countless other elements.
These IoT devices are part of an ecosystem in which connectivity and automatic data transfer help simplify domestic and industrial tasks.
In the industrial sector there are also devices of this type, called IIoT . The Industrial Internet of Things is helping companies implement modern technologies. These allow them to apply new tools to achieve greater quality and productivity and to be leaders in business innovation.
IoT devices in the industrial world allow the monitoring and control of different processes. This facilitates optimal execution and avoids possible operational downtime caused by breakdowns.
Thus, the IoT has become a key piece for companies in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
What technologies do IoT devices use?
The idea of connected devices has been around for a long time. However, lately advances in different technologies have accelerated, allowing IoT devices to evolve at high speed.
These are some of the most relevant technologies they use:
- Low cost and low consumption sensors. More and more effective technologies are emerging that allow us to design affordable and reliable sensors, in addition to reducing their manufacturing costs and consumption.
- Connectivity. The connection capacity of IoT devices is, without a doubt, essential for their correct functioning. Also, so that the automations are executed optimally. To guarantee it, there are a large number of network protocols for the Internet. They facilitate the connection of sensors to the cloud for efficient and secure data transfer.
- Cloud Computing Platforms. The increased availability of cloud platforms allows both businesses and consumers to access the infrastructure they need to scale, without having to manage everything.
- Data Analytics and Machine Learning. Machine learning and data analysis, combined with cloud storage, allow companies to make extraordinary use of all the information transmitted by IoT devices. In addition, they provide an agile methodology so that manufacturers can implement new features in devices.
- Artificial intelligence (AI). This type of intelligence has become an enhancing element in the development of Internet of Things devices , since it is the “brain” that allows decisions to be made based on the data collected.
What does IoT have to do with Edge Computing?
Nowadays, when we talk about IoT devices, it is essential to keep Edge Computing in mind , which will become increasingly important in terms of connection and data transmission in these devices.
Edge computing allows computing and information storage to be close to where data is generated, which translates into latency benefits, better performance, cost reduction, and increased security. It also makes it possible to process data in real time in the cloud at high speed.
In other words, an IoT Edge Computing platform is similar to a Cloud Computing platform, with the difference that the former is physically closer to the IoT applications.
Having an Edge Computing system helps avoid data collapse due to the exponential growth of IoT devices, which connect to the Internet to receive information from the cloud or send data to it.
What industries can benefit from IoT?
IoT devices offer great benefits for the industry, since they allow companies to incorporate innovative tools that make them more competitive organizations.
Manufacturing
Sensors in IoT devices help manage manufacturing and operations control systems , facilitating production line monitoring and providing the ability to detect breakdowns and verify equipment in an automated manner. This allows organizations to reduce operations costs, achieve better and longer productive uptime and increase asset durability.
Automotive section
Innovation in IoT has meant a great change in the automotive industry, with which it has been possible to obtain significant advantages in product development. As in manufacturing processes, an IoT device can detect breakdowns in vehicle machinery, alert the driver of their incident and provide appropriate recommendations, among other features.
Logistics and Transportation
The transportation and logistics area also benefits from a wide variety of IoT applications. For example, some companies such as food companies or those in the pharmaceutical sector work with products that are especially sensitive to temperature. These companies can benefit from IoT devices, as they allow them to receive alerts when temperatures rise or fall to a level that threatens the product.
Health sector
IoT devices, in the area of medical management , make it possible to take advantage of valuable information for research, development, improvement of diagnosis and treatment of patients. In addition, working with these devices increases the efficiency of healthcare workers. It allows you to serve a greater number of patients with more precise information.