Internet of things! A very ambitious and technologically savvy idea, which has grabbed the attention of the world with its greatness!
So, what is internet of things?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these things to connect and exchange data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.
image credit:https://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/ericsson-joins-microsoft-to-accelerate-network-based-iot-services-globally-117051800540_1.html
The discussion about adding sensors and giving intelligence to basic objects has been going on from as early as 1980s, but not much could be implemented at that time because technology wasn’t so advanced at that time. Processors that were cheap and power-frugal enough to be all but disposable were required before it became cost-effective to connect up billions of devices. Internet connectivity as well as enough IP addresses for billion of devices were also required which couldn’t be possible back then, but now it is.
The vision:
IoT intends to make everything smarter. Pretty much any physical object can be transformed into an IoT device if it can be connected to the internet and controlled that way, this way even a trivial object like a toothbrush can become smart.
ADVANTAGES:
- It can transform our homes to smart homes, where all the appliances can work according to your need and want. Imagine waking up and getting a good shower, water being heated just as much you like it, your smart watch reminding you of all the important reminders for the day, having a 24*7 check about what is going in your home via your smart devices.
image credit:https://www.propsocial.my/topic/955/the-benefits-of-a-smart-home-system-posted-by-propsocial-editor
- It drastically improves the quality of life in every aspect.
- Improves connectivity between family, parents can keep 24*7 check about their children, and also their parent’s well-being.
- Improves connectivity in every aspect like health, education, lifestyle, etc.
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- Improved security though it can become a very negative point as well if manipulated.
- Manufacturers can add sensors to the components of their products so that they can transmit back data about how they are performing. This can them to spot when a component is likely to fail and to swap it out before it causes damage. Companies can also use the data generated by these sensors to make their systems and their supply chains more efficient.
- Autonomous cars and smart cities could change how we build and manage our public spaces.
DISADVANTAGES:
- Security.It is everything. Increasing digitalisation makes the system more and more vulnerable if its hacked. Hence, the smarter our devices are, the more vulnerable we become.And the record of IoT devices has not been good.
image credit:http://www.eweek.com/networking/cisco-survey-finds-disparity-between-iot-value-trust-in-security
- Flaws in software are discovered on a regular basis which makes them permanently at risk. Hackers actively target IoT devices such as routers and webcams because their inherent lack of security makes them easy to hack.
- When the cost of making a device smart becomes negligible, these problems will only become more widespread and intractable.
- Hacking of smart devices can lead to real life disastrous consequences.
image credit:https://www.nerdery.com/resource/how-the-internet-of-things-will-affect-privacy-and-security-in-health-care
With all the sensors constantly collecting data about what you do, there is a little or no room for privacy. It’s surprisingly easy to find out a lot about a person from a few different sensor readings.
image credit:https://internetofbusiness.com/consumers-demand-more-data-privacy-from-the-iot-economist-report/