The Internet of Things (IoT) has become one the most important technologies of the 21st century. Since the term was coined in 1999, the Internet of Things has transformed from a distant vision to an exciting reality. And the Internet of Things is a fast-growing topic of conversation both in and out of the workplace. Lots of these conversations are technical and policy-related, so it may be difficult for many of us to grasp the foundation of what these conversations are all about. Despite the fact that the Internet of Things is a complex concept, it has the potential to impact all aspects of our lives. Therefore, it’s becoming increasingly important to understand what IoT is all about.
According to Wikipedia, “The Internet of Things (Iot) describes the network of physical objects – a.k.a. ‘things’ – that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices over the Internet.” But this is a confusing and unnecessarily technical definition. So, to put it another way, IoT is about extending the power of the internet beyond computers and smartphones to a whole range of other things, processes and environments.
The Internet of Things means taking all the “dumb” things in the world and making them “smart” by connecting them to the internet. But in order to be “smart”, a thing doesn’t have to have a supercomputer or super storage inside of it. All a thing has to do is connect to a supercomputer or super storage. Pretty much any physical object can be transformed into an IoT device if it can be connected to the internet to collect data or receive information or both.
The connected “smart” home is a great example of the power of IoT in action. Light bulbs, thermostats, garage door openers, vacuums, smoke detectors, locks, appliances, doorbells and security cameras can all be connected through a hub, allowing them to be controlled by an app or a website. This means that you can remotely control your home using a smartphone, tablet, laptop or even your voice. In this way IoT devices can be used for a more connected, energy-efficient and conveniently run home.
The Internet of Things is big, and it’s constantly getting bigger. There are already more connected things than people in the world. As of today, there are more than 10 billion active IoT devices, and that number is expected to surpass 25.4 billion by 2030. The new rule for the future is going to be, “Anything that can be connected, will be connected.” The reality is that IoT allows for virtually endless possibilities, many of which we can’t even think of or fully understand the impact of today.
