IoT Applications bring internet connectivity, data processing and analytics to the world of physical objects. These connected devices may be as common as smart watches that track your workouts or as sophisticated as an end-to-end clinical management suite used in a hospital. The technology is being applied to everything from cars and buildings to agricultural fields and supply-chain mechanisms.
IoT applications are enabled by sensors that can measure observable occurrences or changes in the environment. These sensors then communicate, via wired or wireless networks (like Ethernet, WiFi and cellular), to computing systems that monitor or control them. They can also be paired with actuators, which are equipped to take action in response to the sensor’s signals.
The most familiar IoT application to consumers is the smart home – with products like the Amazon Echo and Google Home acting as virtual assistants that can control heating, lighting, security systems and more. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to IoT Applications.
In the workplace, IoT solutions are used to streamline business processes, increase productivity and improve worker safety. For example, smart sensors installed on utility lines can detect problems and notify customers of service interruptions. Or, in factories, IoT can help to automate manual processes like inventory tracking or order fulfillment.
Smart city applications use IoT to manage traffic, optimize energy usage and handle waste management. A city could also use IoT to provide more personalized services for its citizens. This might include providing a more precise forecast of rainfall to water suppliers or identifying areas that need maintenance.
Agriculture combines IoT with sensors to enable farmers to get more information on their crops’ health and performance. In addition to reducing labor costs, these sensors can also help increase the yields of a crop and reduce its environmental impact.
Construction is another area where IoT has made a big difference. IoT sensors can be placed in buildings to track their condition and deliver metrics such as air quality or building occupant satisfaction. They can also be used to automatically schedule maintenance or detect potential issues, such as the need for a replacement part.
The healthcare industry is a major user of IoT. Wearable devices like fitness trackers and heart rate monitors provide valuable data that can be analyzed by physicians to improve patient care. IoT sensors can also be used to monitor patients remotely. For instance, a device that tracks your sleep patterns can predict when you are entering deep-sleep mode and can turn off your lights at just the right time. This helps to ensure that you don’t wake up during the night and interrupt your sleep cycle. It can also determine the optimum position you achieve your best sleep in and set your bed temperature accordingly.