IoT or “Internet of Things” has been quite the buzzword over the past few years. You might have heard it and most certainly would have used it, even without being aware of it. Along with AI, IoT is building the stage for the future to stand upon. But, do you know what it means? Do you know how often you use it? Do you know how it is benefiting us all on a daily basis? In this post, we’re going to lighten the topic: IoT and how it influences our life!

To understand IoT at the root level, imagine an ordinary appliance, any home appliance, or any simple machine. Now, that machine does a basic task. You install computer tech in the machine, for example, a microprocessor. Now that machine has certain advanced functions other than it’s basic functions. Provide internet connectivity to the machine. Now, the machine has computational intelligence as well as an internet connection, hence it becomes an IoT device!

For understanding this concept clearly, we’re going to take an example. Consider a wristwatch. The basic purpose of a watch is to display time, be it analog or digital. Now the watch is provided with some technology so that it becomes a touchscreen watch and also has functions like alarms, stopwatch, and timer. It is not an IoT device yet. Now, the watch is provided with Bluetooth and wifi, so that it could connect to other devices and the internet. Hence, after all this hassle, this watch becomes an IoT device.

You can connect it to your phone, receive calls, send messages, control the TV and other home appliances, play songs and pretty much do many things, similar to the things you do on your smartphone. This watch is referred to as a SmartWatch. Similarly, smart televisions, smart refrigerators, smart bands, and smart cars have also been developed. All these machines are IoT devices. They are all around us, progressing as we are progressing, and making our lives easier.

Therefore, the basic idea of an IoT device would be :

Appliance + Computational Intelligence + Internet connectivity = IoT Device

The workload has subsequently decreased a lot over the past years, due to these devices. 

• Barcodes have been replaced by RFID tags that need not be scanned manually, instead, they have a force field of operation inside which can be identified.

• Smart TVs have taken entertainment to new heights. You can browse the internet and choose what to watch at your ease.

• Cars now come with many features like the GPS and music player which are pre-installed.

• You need not do everything on your phone. Smart bands and watches are an easier way to access your phone even when it’s not with you.

• Living indoors is becoming easier and easier with the ever-increasing development of smart home appliances.

But, you should keep in mind that not all devices with computational intelligence are IoT devices. Such devices are called Embedded Systems. All IoT devices are embedded systems but not all embedded systems are IoT devices. As the name suggests, embedded systems are actually embedded inside of any primary device. There are several companies working on embedded systems to create something innovative.

Providing an embedded system with an internet connection makes it an IoT device.

Shubhchintak Technologies is one such organization that has trained IT professionals working in the field of IoT and embedded systems. 

The future and extent of IoT are uncertain. Engineers are constantly coming up with new technology and applications of IoT. Currently, we are at a stage where there are 20 IoT devices on an average in a household, based on a report. In highly advanced cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore, devices like smartwatches, smart vehicles, and other smart gadgets are quite common. Now, that you know about it, look around. You will surely find the links to how these devices are constantly integrating with our lives!