Internet of Things (IoT)
We briefly talked about Internet of Things (IoT) in class but I was intrigued to learn more about the topic and how it impacts my life today and how it will continue to impact my life and career in the future.
The Internet of Things
What is IoT?
Internet of Things is the newest trend in technology that has created the pathway for the future of technology. To put it in simplified terms, IoT is any device that can be turned on or off and has the ability to connect to the Internet. The IoT came into the market at a time when it became the norm to incorporate wifi capabilities and sensors into projects, smartphones were taking over the industry, and technology and connecting costs were rapidly decreasing (Morgan, 2014). In a way, IoT is the natural next step in the technology industry and has already been implemented in various everyday devices. IoT is being compared to a modern day Industrial Revolution; it really is changing the way humanity uses and relies on technology.
Forbes.com/InternetofThings
What Products Utilize IoT?
Many products you are familiar with utilize IoT including but not limited to:
- Fitbit
- Google Home: Speaker with Google Assistant
- Nest Cam: Outdoor
- Ray Super Remote: Touchscreen universal
- Prodigio: Connected Nespresso machine
- Apple Watch (Discover, 2016).
- IoTlist.co
The Future of IoT
The IoT boom shows no signs of slowing down. In the future, you can expect to have connected devices that will make your life much easier and more efficient. For example, your calendar and car will be connected so your car can figure out where you are headed and calculate the fastest route to take. If you were running late to this meeting, your phone would be able to send a text to your coworkers or boss notifying them you will be late (Morgan, 2014). The future of IoT is slightly scary because you own connected devices that know everything about you and have the ability to micromanage your life for you. IoT presents endless opportunities within the tech world. It is hard to imagine what kinds of connections will be made in the next few years that utilizes IoT. 26 billion users are expected to be connected by 2020 and one can only dream of the impact that will have on IoT (Morgan, 2014).
Environmental Effects of IoT
IoT has the ability to not only make your personal life easier but positively helps the environment. An environmental and health crisis could be avoided altogether by installing containment sensors in municipal water infrastructures which would be able to detect the presence of lead. Another environmental use of these sensors would be to help prevent droughts. It is a fact that 80% of water in California is used by agriculture. By placing IoT sensors in the soil, farmers would be notified precisely when their crops need to be watered in an effort to reduce the amount of unnecessary water used (Marushka 2016).
EnvironmentalLeader.com/IoTEnvironmentalEffects
Risks
With all the benefits of IoT come some risks. The biggest risk regarding IoT is security. Many IoT devices rely on cloud computing to collect, transmit, and store data but the security of the cloud may be compromised by hackers. Since millions of people will be directly and indirectly connected through the use of IoT products, privacy and data sharing threats arise. The number of connected devices continues to rise, influencing the increase in security, privacy, and data sharing threats (Morgan, 2014)
IoT Relevancy
The recent boom in IoT devices is not only relevant in this class but in everyone’s lives as well. It is important to accept and appreciate this transition in the tech world. IoT is changing the way you and I complete the simplest tasks such as making coffee in the morning and doing the laundry as well as solving many complex problems more complicated than you and I could ever comprehend. The IoT phenomena is the next World Wide Web. The World Wide Web changed the world in ways humanity could not even imagine so it is only a matter of time until IoT shocks us with its capabilities.
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