Applications of the Internet of Things (IOT)
Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging concept where the connection and communication of humans and machines are available at the touch of a button. These devices are usually connected to the internet, and hence can be accessed by remote control through various communication technologies. IoT also provides greater control over devices as well as faster data transmission for a business environment.
Many businesses today use IoT to provide reliable and continuous data services for the communication of various physical objects to the internet. This may be through the use of sensors for energy management in the form of smart meters, temperature sensors for smart cooling, monitoring of energy consumption, or remote access to devices in the warehouse.
Most simplistically, IoT is the concept of connecting devices that otherwise are disconnected and remain unconnected, such as those running electric wires, to the internet, which can monitor their operation. There are various benefits for businesses using IoT:
- Improved Safety – An increased level of trust is provided to consumers by being able to provide the data or information regarding the quality of the power supply, like the condition of the electric wires, directly to them through sensors on the smart meters. This provides them with assurance that their power supply is reliable and always maintained.
- Enhanced Customer Experience – Customers are provided with improved insights on how their energy consumption is being maintained, including power outage notifications when network connectivity is affected. They can also see energy consumption data from different areas of their home or business through mobile applications.
- Cost Savings – Businesses can save costs by connecting existing equipment (such as an electric meter) and by supplying the data or information on their own power usage to consumers via the internet. These businesses can also receive a more accurate bill for electricity consumption based on their actual usage and can potentially see an increase in their customer base because of the improved customer experience and efficiencies.
- Increased Efficiency – In the future, there is potential for energy-efficient devices to be connected to the IoT and as a result, reduce the use of energy in a smart business environment. For example, the smart refrigerators could turn on only when it senses the customer’s footfall. The bulbs can turn on at night when no one is around, and they can run only when they can sense light.
Applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) for Homes
Smart home technology has been increasingly adopted by consumers as it promises to improve the quality of life. In the long run, it will lead to significant cost savings and improve security for a household. Today, a lot of smart home technology exists and is growing to offer more convenience, especially as there are a number of other options in the market for consumers.
Smart home technology is becoming more and more common in the American marketplace, and it has been quite a few years since most people were introduced to the technology. If you are interested in implementing smart home technology into your home, it is important that you research and choose the right products for your needs. With that in mind, the following list of IoT-based smart products will help you to incorporate the concept of the smart home into your everyday life.
1. Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are advanced Wi-Fi thermostats that are not only connected to the internet but also provide data and information about home energy consumption in real-time. By providing information like temperature and energy consumption, a homeowner can better monitor the amount of electricity used. This can be particularly useful in homes that have more than one smart thermostat installed, as the ability to know how much energy a particular appliance is using based on its usage can help to reduce electricity usage and bills.
2. Smart Lighting Control
The implementation of smart lighting controls allows for a more controlled usage of energy, as well as more control of lighting in a home. Some smart home manufacturers include a number of features in their products, such as the ability to be remotely controlled by a smartphone application. For example, a light might automatically dim when no one is in the room, or a smart thermostat might be set to turn on the lights when you walk in the front door.
3. Smart Locks
With the ability to use sensors, the IoT allows for the use of smart locks that are connected to the network and allow a homeowner to grant or restrict access to their home. This opens up possibilities for the smart home in terms of security, as it offers the ability for families to know when someone comes and goes. Other smart locks can be installed in closets, under the floorboards and other areas where it would be hard to access. One of the coolest uses for smart locks is the ability to share access with one another, allowing a user to grant entry to a friend or a partner by sending a text message with a unique code.
4. Smart Lighting Control
The IoT allows for smart lighting controls, such as the ability to control the brightness of a room, changing the color of the lights in the room and so on. Some smart home manufacturers offer a remote monitoring option so that the lighting can be turned on or off with the press of a button.
5. Smart Water Management
With the advent of the IoT, we are starting to see smart water management and supply systems become available. This allows the homeowners to monitor the consumption of their water, and adjust the water supply to the individual or the house at any time, depending on their needs. For example, a water meter might be installed that allows users to monitor water usage, water pressure and so on. Smart water management can even be used to automatically open and close doors and windows based on a predetermined schedule, as well as alert the homeowner if water pressure is low.
6. Smart Security
The IoT makes the smart home extremely safe, as it allows for a multitude of tools and devices to be integrated in homes and to function under the control of a central app. These tools can include everything from monitoring home security systems and door locks to allowing homeowners to view a video feed of their home.
7. Smart Entertainment
The IoT allows for the use of entertainment systems to be integrated into homes, allowing for the automation of televisions, sound systems, surround sound, and video and games consoles. The beauty of this type of smart home system is that these entertainment systems do not have to be big and expensive, and they can be scaled down to a fraction of the price of a high-end system with the ability to adjust to each user’s needs.
8. Smart Clothing
A few years ago, we started to see smart clothing become available in the marketplace. This type of smart clothing includes clothing that can be controlled by a smartphone or with a wearable. This clothing includes features such as heating and cooling control for the torso and arms, which is very convenient in the middle of winter. Smart clothing can be programmed to match the weather in a home or can be adjusted based on specific needs and uses.
Smart TVs are a recent example of this type of smart clothing. Samsung has gone as far as to include a separate processor in the TV that allows the television to be operated via a smartphone, tablet, or PC. While these types of smart clothing have been available in the market for several years now, we are starting to see more and more options that cater to specific needs and may appeal to a range of individuals.
9. Smart Pets
Smart pets are a newer, lesser-known category of smart home devices, and have been appearing in the market for several years. The beauty of a smart pet is that it is relatively easy to use, and its sheer simplicity gives owners the ability to better manage their pets. Like the pets themselves, many of these smart home devices are relatively inexpensive, and they allow for easy customization.
10. Smart Products
The final type of smart home device that we will explore in this article is the smart product. While these products are not as widely known as the smart home devices, they are an extremely important part of the home, and include a wide range of products. These products vary in size and in functionality, and they range from being used to protect and beautify the home, to being used to take care of an individual’s physical needs.
These products range from cleaning devices to wearable devices, and can vary from a simple dishwasher or laundry machine, to security cameras and air purifiers. Many of these products are also easy to integrate into a smart home as individual components, and others are developed in order to be simple-to-install or even included as standard in the home.
11. Smart Sensors
Smart sensors are devices that are attached to any surface and are capable of being used as part of a home automation system. The benefits of smart sensors include the fact that they can be easily installed, but also that they are extremely inexpensive. Smart sensors can be easily integrated into a smart home by either plugging them in as part of a home automation system or using a specialized device that connects the sensors to the home automation system.
For those with smart sensors that they already own, they can also use a remote control to configure the sensors. Smart sensors are also useful for detecting when someone enters the room, and they can also be used to monitor temperature and humidity levels in a room. They can also help to monitor the security of a home.
12. Smart Doorbells
Doorbells, when done correctly, can help to keep an eye on the security of a home. In particular, they are useful for alerting you to activity in your home. A well-designed doorbell can be used to keep an eye on any activity in your home, but it can also be used to alert you if an unauthorized individual attempts to enter your home.
13. Smart Window Treatments
For those with smart window treatments installed in their home, they can also use a remote control to adjust their position to better manage airflow. This can include changing the position of their blinds, as well as adjusting their position to prevent the sun from shining in.
The benefits of smart window treatments include the fact that they are less expensive than traditional window treatments, and they are easily installed, but also that they have more flexibility in terms of placement and location. Smart window treatments can also be used to monitor temperature and humidity levels in the home.
Conclusion
The IoT is not just one thing, as it covers a wide variety of smart home products and services. Although these products vary in their functionality, they all have one thing in common: they are, and will continue to be, integrated into the IoT landscape, changing the way home’s function and giving homeowners the ability to take charge of their homes and their daily lives. Smart home technology is becoming more and more popular, and one of the reasons for this is because of the amount of control we can gain over our homes.
Smart home technology is used for multiple purposes, and each of the applications within the IoT market is designed to meet a specific need. As a homeowner, it can be stressful not having the control over our homes we would like, and we have come to rely on the traditional methods of control. However, with the IoT and its smart home products, homeowners will be able to make even better use of the technology we already have.