5.

2 Introduction to IoT Tools

IoT Tools stands for the Internet of Things Tools. It is a network or connection of

devices, vehicles, equipment applying embedded electronics, home appliances, buildings and
many more. This helps in collecting and exchanging different kinds of data. It also helps the
user to control the devices remotely over a network.
Today in the internet-driven world, IoT has engulfed the IT industry and is the latest
buzzword. It has opened many new horizons for companies and developers working on IoT.
Many exceptional products have been developed due to IoT app development. Companies
providing Internet of Things solution are creating hardware and software designs to help the
IoT developers to create new and remarkable IoT devices and applications.
List of Top IoT Devices
Some IoT tools and devices are discussed below:
1. Tessel 2
It is used to build basic IoT prototypes and applications. It helps through its numerous
modules and sensors. Using Tessel 2 board, a developer can avail Ethernet connectivity, Wi-
Fi connectivity, two USB ports, a micro USB port, 32MB of Flash, 64MB of RAM.
Additional modules can also be integrated like cameras, accelerometers, RFID, GPS, etc.
Tessel 2 can support Node.JS and can use the libraries of Node.JS. It contains two processors,
its hardware uses 48MHz Atmel SAMD21 and 580MHz MediaTek MT7620n coprocessor.
One processor can help to run firmware applications at high speed and the other one helps in
the efficient management of power and in exercising good input/output control.
2. Eclipse IoT
This tool or instrument allows the user to develop, adopt and promote open
source IoT technologies. It is best suited to build IoT devices, Cloud platforms, and gateways.
Eclipse supports various projects related to IoT. These projects include open-source
implementations of IoT protocols, application frameworks and services, and tools for using
Lua programming language which is promoted as the best-suited programming language for
IoT.
 3. Arduino
Arduino is an Italy based IT company that builds interactive objects and
microcontroller boards. It is an open-source prototyping platform that offers both IoT
hardware and software. Hardware specifications can be applied to interactive electronics and
software includes Integrated Development Environment (IDE). It is the most preferable IDEs
in all IoT development tools. This platform is easy and simple to use.
4. Platform IoT
It is a cross-platform IoT IDE. It comes with the integrated debugger. It is the best for
mobile app development and developers can use a friendly IoT environment for development.
A developer can port the IDE on Atom editor or it can install it as a plugin. It is compatible
with more than 400 embedded boards and has more than 20 development frameworks and
platforms. It offers a remarkable interface and is easy to use.
5. M2M Labs Mainspring
It is an IoT platform and an open source application framework. It is used to build a
machine to machine applications (M2M) which can be used in fields of remote monitoring
and fleet management. It supports much functionality like validation and normalization of
data, device configuration, data retrieval processes and flexible modeling of devices. It is
based on Apache, Cassandra, NoSQL database and Java.
6. Kinoma
It is a Marvell semiconductor hardware prototyping platform. It enables three
different projects. To support these projects two products are available Kinoma Create and
Element Board. Kinoma Create is a hardware kit for prototyping electronic and IoT enabled
devices. Kit contains supporting essentials like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), integrated Wi-
Fi, speaker, microphone and touch screen. Element Board is the smallest JavaScript-powered
IoT product platform.
7. Device- Hive
It is based on Data Art’s AllJoyn. It is a free open source M2M i.e. machine to
machine communication framework. It was launched in 2012 and considered the most
preferable IoT app development platform. It has cloud-based API which can be controlled
remotely irrespective of network configuration. Its libraries, protocols, and management
portal are controlled in a similar manner. It is best suited for applications related to smart
home tech, security, automation, and sensors.
8. Kaax
It provides end to end support for IoT devices connected across the cloud. Due to its
multi-purpose middleware, it allows users to build connected applications, IoT applications,
and many smart products. Open source kit is described as ‘hardware agnostic’ by Kaax i.e. it
can interface with any hardware like sensors, gateways, and other devices. It helps developers
to distribute firmware updates remotely, and to enable cross-platform interoperability.
9. Home Assistant
It is an open source tool mostly used for functions based on the Python coding system
and home automation. Desktop and mobile browsers help to control their IoT system. It is
easy to set up and is famous for its smooth operations, privacy standards, and security. It can
support systems running on Python 3.
10. Net
It is an integrated solution for developers of IoT. It offers services like cloud
integration and business intelligence to provide both web technologies and hardware. Its
development kit is delivered as a platform as a service i.e. PaaS which allows the developers
to efficiently utilize its power for development purpose.
11. Raspbian
This IDE is created for Raspberry Pi board. It has more than 35000 packages and with
the help of precompiled software, it allows rapid installation. It was not created by the parent
organization but by the IoT tech enthusiasts. For working with Raspberry Pi, this is the most
suitable IDE available.