Introduction to IoT

And its applications

What is the IoT?
• The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of physical devices,
vehicles, appliances, and other physical objects that are embedded
with sensors, software, and network connectivity, allowing them to
collect and share data
• IoT devices—also known as “smart objects”—can range from simple
“smart home” devices like smart thermostats, to wearables like
smartwatches and RFID-enabled clothing, to complex industrial
machinery and transportation systems
• Technologists are even envisioning entire “smart cities” predicated on
IoT technologies
Contd.
• IoT enables these smart devices to communicate with each other and
with other internet-enabled devices
• Like smartphones and gateways, creating a vast network of
interconnected devices that can exchange data and perform various
tasks autonomously. This can include:
• monitoring environmental conditions in farms
• managing traffic patterns with smart cars and other smart automotive
devices
• controlling machines and processes in factories
• tracking inventory and shipments in warehouses
Contd.
• The potential applications of IoT are vast and varied, and its impact is
already being felt across a wide range of industries, including
manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and agriculture
• As the number of internet-connected devices continues to grow, IoT is
likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping our world
• Transforming the way that we live, work, and interact with each other
Contd.
• In an enterprise context, IoT devices are used to monitor a wide range
of parameters such as temperature, humidity, air quality, energy
consumption, and machine performance
• This data can be analyzed in real time to identify patterns, trends, and
anomalies that can help businesses optimize their operations and
improve their bottom line
Why is IoT important?
1. Improved Efficiency
• By using IoT devices to automate and optimize processes, businesses can
improve efficiency and productivity
• For example, IoT sensors can be used to monitor equipment performance and
detect or even resolve potential issues before they cause downtime, reducing
maintenance costs and improving uptime
Contd.
2. Data driven decision making
• IoT devices generate vast amounts of data that can be used to make better-
informed business decisions and new business models
• By analyzing this data, businesses can gain insights into customer behavior,
market trends, and operational performance, allowing them to make more
informed decisions about strategy, product development, and resource
allocation
Contd.
3. Cost Savings
• By reducing manual processes and automating repetitive tasks, IoT can help
businesses reduce costs and improve profitability
• For example, IoT devices can be used to monitor energy usage and optimize
consumption, reducing energy costs and improving sustainability
Contd.
4. Enhanced Customer Experience
• By using IoT technology to gather data about customer behavior, businesses
can create more personalized and engaging experiences for their customers
• For example, retailers can use IoT sensors to track customer movements in
stores and deliver personalized offers based on their behavior
The technologies that make IoT
possible
• Sensors and actuators:
• Sensors are devices that can detect changes in the environment, such
as temperature, humidity, light, motion, or pressure
• Actuators are devices that can cause physical changes in the
environment, such as opening or closing a valve or turning on a motor
• These devices are at the heart of IoT, as they allow machines and
devices to interact with the physical world
• Automation is possible when sensors and actuators work to resolve
issues without human intervention.
Contd.
• Connectivity technologies:
• To transmit IoT data from sensors and actuators to the cloud, IoT
devices need to be connected to the internet
• There are several connectivity technologies that are used in IoT,
including wifi, Bluetooth, cellular, Zigbee, and LoRaWAN.
Contd.
• Cloud computing:
• The cloud is where the vast amounts of data that is generated by IoT
devices are stored, processed, and analyzed
• Cloud computing platforms provide the infrastructure and tools that
are needed to store and analyze this data, as well as to build and
deploy IoT applications
Contd.
• Big data analytics:
• To make sense of the vast amounts of data generated by IoT devices,
businesses need to use advanced analytics tools to extract insights
and identify patterns
• These tools can include machine learning algorithms, data
visualization tools and predictive analytics models
Contd.
• Security and privacy technologies:
• As IoT deployments become more widespread, IoT security and
privacy become increasingly important
• Technologies such as encryption, access controls and intrusion
detection systems are used to protect IoT devices and the data they
generate from cyberthreats
Examples
• Agriculture
• IoT devices can be used in agriculture to monitor soil conditions,
weather patterns and crop growth
• For example, sensors can be used to measure the moisture content of
soil, ensuring that crops are irrigated at the optimal time. IoT devices
can also be used to monitor livestock health, track equipment and
manage supply chains
• Low-power or solar-powered devices can often be used with minimal
oversight in remote locations
Impact of IoT
• IoT is reinventing automobiles by enabling connected devices
• Owners operate connected cars remotely and one can preheat the car
before getting in or remotely summon your car by phone
• The IoT helps gain a competitive advantage, increase customer
satisfaction, improve efficiency, harness intelligence, and improve
operations
• IoT has a profound impact on your work and personal life
• It improves healthcare, transportation, and public safety with
timeliness and better information
Contd.
• There are many ways that IoT devices impact business models
and society
• Three significant benefits are cost, efficiency, and visibility
• Connected devices could change your daily routine
• When you turn off your alarm clock, the coffee machine can
be turned on, and your window blinds can open
• Your refrigerator can order groceries for home delivery when
items are depleted
• A smart oven can provide menu suggestions and cook pre-
assembled ingredients by mealtime
Characteristics of IoT
• Scalability - IoT systems can be scaled to accommodate a
large number of devices, making it suitable for a wide
range of applications, from small-scale home
automation to large-scale industrial implementations
• As per the projections, 26.4 billion IoT devices will be in
service globally by 2026
Contd.
• Connectivity - Connectivity is the heart of IoT
• Devices are interconnected through various
communication protocols, including Wi-Fi, cellular
networks, etc
• This allows devices to communicate and share data
over the internet
Contd.
• Remotely Controlled - IoT devices can be managed and
controlled remotely, which allows users to interact with them
through various devices including smartphones, via web
applications

• Customized to user needs - It provides tailor made

solutions to suit specific needs of diverse users

• Real time monitoring - IoT devices provide real-time data,

allowing for immediate responses and decision-making
based on up-to-date information
Let’s talk about an IoT Ecosystem!
• When we talk about an ecosystem, we are talking about
a complex system of interconnected components and
the environment in which they exist and with which
they interact
• In fact, all components are connected by energy flow,
certain cycles and their environment
• So, the point of connection between all these elements
and the environment is very important in an ecosystem
• In an IoT ecosystem, “Environment, Data, People” plays
an important role
Key elements of an IoT Ecosystem
• Generally, an IOT devices collects or retrieve the data and further it
gets stored into a cloud for further analysis
• Those data gets then displayed to the users with meaningful
information
• There are few major components of an IoT ecosystem:
IoT devices
• IoT devices are actually the layer of sensors, actuators
and smart objects that collect data about the
environment and measure physical parameters
• So, as we have already mentioned, the basic elements
of the Internet of Things ecosystem are sensors and
actuators (or simply “things”)
• Sensors are the perception of the IoT system, whose
main function is to extract information from the
environment and convert it into data
Contd.
• In the internet of things ecosystem, it is rare to find only
one type of sensor or actuator. Because there are many
types of sensors, each type has its subcategories
• For example:
1. Temperature Sensors
2. Proximity Sensors
3. Water quality sensors
4. Chemical sensors
Security
• The main theme of the security in an IoT is to provide security for
data transfer and prevents unauthorized connections
• In recent years, we also see that the number of IoT-
based DDoS attacks has skyrocketed
• Therefore, every IoT system needs a strong level of
security that at least protects against the most common
vulnerabilities
Contd.
• The security level has a wide range of responsibilities such as:
• Access control to the IoT network
• Prevention of data loss during data transfer over the network
• Look for malicious software
Network
• The network is the logistical heart of the Internet of
Things ecosystem
• The network is also known as the connectivity layer
• It is responsible for all communications within the IoT
system: connecting smart objects, transferring data and
commands between IoT stages, and connecting to the
cloud
• There are main means of communication and they are:
1. First mode of communication
Contd.
First Mode of Communication:
• Occurs locally in a local area network (LAN) between IoT
devices and smart gateways via short-range wireless
communication protocols
• This communication mode is optional because the
sensors can connect directly to the cloud via the
Internet using the TCP / IP protocol
Contd.
• So, the most popular short distance protocols for IoT architecture are:
1. WiFi
2. Bluetooth
3. ZigBee
4. RFID
5. LoRaWAN
The Cloud
• The cloud is a computing resource responsible for
storing, analysing, and managing data
• The cloud is where a large pile of raw sensor data is
converted into neat little piles of valuable information
• The cloud can be powered by analytics software,
visualisation tools, AI, and machine learning for in-depth
data analysis and processing
• And the most popular cloud computing providers
are Microsoft Azure and AWS IoT
Contd.
• Surprisingly, one of the main advantages of the cloud
solution is that it is easily scalable. It is an essential
requirement for building an effective IoT system
Application
• When software development companies build software
products for the IoT ecosystem, they will cover all the
said components
• However, even still, the IoT application is just the tip of
the iceberg in IoT software development
• Also, an application is where users can interact with the
Internet of Things ecosystem
• This interaction is only made possible by the graphical
user interface, where the users can consult analysis
reports, control the system, and manage devices
Contd.
• The list of technologies used in the development includes:
1. Programming languages
2. Development frameworks
3. Third party APIs
Users
• Its users are the most important component among the
said components of the Internet of Things ecosystem
• Who can be users?
1. Skilled users
2. Novice users
3. Public users
Trends and Implications of IoT
• IoT, the concept which started taking leap decades ago has today not
just gotten mainstream but has also marked a presence, across
industries and the globe
• With its market size poised to be 1.6 trillion by the time we reach
2025, entrepreneurs and businesses from all corners are finding
opportunities to enter the segment
• Few striking IoT trends are listed as follows:
Rise in number and types of IoT
devices
• 2017 ended with 8.4 billion IoT connected devices, 2018 saw the
number increase to 9.2 billion
• Whereas by the end of 2021, the number was set to be 20.8 billion
• It is not just the number of connected devices which is on a rise but
also the types
• Here are the different IoT device types that have been a mainstream
all these years:
Contd.
• Voice Assistants
• GPS trackers
• Smart bands and fitness bands
• Smart locks
• Smart smoke alarms
• Smoke detectors
• Child monitor
• Wearables
• Security cameras
Smart homes will become a norm
• Even people who discarded smart homes as devices for pretentious
youngsters are now finding it difficult to ignore the capabilities the
technology has come with
• While it started with a steady growth, the demand for connected
home devices will see a sharp rise in the years to come