IoT stands for the “Internet of Things.” It is a web of connected computing devices with the ability to collect and transfer data over a network without any human intervention.
What’s An Iot Device?
IoT devices are small interconnected physical devices with the ability to communicate with each other over a network. Active data collection and transfer of data happen between these devices frequently.
This collected data can be utilized to meet the desired goals. The desired goal will differ according to the applications of IoT devices.
“Data Analysis,” is at the core of IoT devices.
Analyzed data collected by IoT devices provide insights that can save time, money, and energy. These insights can further be analyzed to solve a simple problem, which earlier required human intervention.
Now engineers are exploring new ways to integrate IoT into daily lives. The main motive is to automate some things which will make your lives easy and laidback. Therefore IoT innovations are happening in all kinds of imaginable businesses.
The Contemporary Relevance Of Iot Devices:
IoT devices are omnipresent or prevalent in the modern-day world. With billions of connected devices, every human from bustling cities to remote jungles should at least have an IoT device in close proximity.
Any device can make a transition to an IoT device if you add some form of digital wisdom into a dumb machine. As a result, if that device can perform a certain task autonomously, which earlier required human help.
That device is an IoT device. Ultimately, an IoT device should have two main attributes to qualify as an IoT device. First, it should be able to collect and communicate data in real-time. Second, a network connection is mandatory.
These IoT devices we see everywhere fall under three basic categories:
- Consumer – Smart connected vehicles, homes, elder care, and digital healthcare.
- Commercial – Medical & healthcare, transportation, vehicle to everything (V2X) communications, building, and home automation.
- Industrial – Manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure applications, energy management, military application, etc.
Out of all three categories, “Consumer IoT Devices,” generate more revenue per user than any other group. Thus we are focusing specifically on only consumer devices only.
Consumer Iot Devices That Will Rule 2020:
All the tech giants we love and adore are ready to jump in the IoT revolution. Thus we see IoT based speakers, wearables, cameras, door locks, etc. These are the devices we’ll see around for a long time.
Before we start listing down the consumer IoT devices, let’s understand what type of devices fall under this vast umbrella of consumer IoT devices:
- Self-monitoring
- Ability to collect, receive, and analyze data.
- Should be capable of performing autonomous computing.
- A mandatory network connection.
- Utilizes machine learning to predict patterns.
IoT fact: By 2025 IoT market is expected to be around $1.6 trillion.
Smart Lock:
In 2020, can you rely on a smart door lock for your home security?
I don’t exactly remember my first interaction with a smart door lock. But I clearly remember initially, I was skeptical, but slowly and steadily, it grew on me. The anxiety will turn into trust, but it took some time.
A smart lock is an IoT device meant to keep your abode safe and secure. However, a smart lock is much more than just a lock. It makes your life easy and simple. Additionally, these modern-day locks also add function and style to your front door.
The advantages are endless compared to a traditional door lock.
It lets you in and out of your house without the hassle of carrying physical keys. The only key you’ll ever require is your smartphone. These locks are available in any shape and size you can think of.
Additionally, you need a compatible companion app to configure the lock according to your liking. The application allows you to modify your security preferences. Once your set and done, you can unlock your door from anywhere you like. All you need is an active internet connection.
You can provide remote access to anyone you want. And it alerts you if you forget to lock the door. These devices are also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free use.
There are a lot of manufacturers making smart lock. Thus if you’re into the market to buy one, you’ll be surprised by the sheer variety of smart door locks.
Smart Doorbells:
Yes, it is what you think it is.
A smart doorbell is a connected doorbell that will let you know who’s at the door. Most modern-day doorbells also feature a camera. Thus you can have live video interactions and monitoring.
Similar to the door lock, this modern-day doorbell can remotely operate via a compatible app.
These wifi-enabled doorbells can push alerts to your phone even when you’re not home. Additionally, they allow two-way audio communication. Some doorbells also come with capabilities to record small video clips instead of only images.
You can directly upload the images and videos taken by the doorbell on to cloud storage. Therefore you know exactly what’s happening at your doorstep when you’re not home. Now one main question arises, why do you need a smart doorbell?
Because it’s smart and way more convenient than a rudimentary doorbell.
Thermostat:
A thermostat is a device that controls the cooling and heating of your abode. So what do you think a smart thermostat can do?
Imagine a hot arid, sunny day with mercury setting new records. The first physiological need is to move to change your thermostat setting.
Now imagine setting or scheduling your thermostat even before reaching home. This is the convenience a smart thermostat adds to your life. More importantly, it saves your time, energy, and effort.
Let’s get straight to the point. A smart thermostat is a network-connected IoT device.
Thus it can be controlled via a mobile phone with an active cellular and Wi-Fi network. Mobile app control ensures you have your home at the correct temperature all the time. Compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant is ubiquitous.
Additionally, some thermostats also feature motion sensors to determine whether you’re home or not. Then there is the geofencing radius to automatically determine if you’re home or not is the geofencing radius.
IoT Fact: Data center and analytics will grow with a 50% CAGR till 2021.
Light Bulbs:
Light bulbs were among the first devices to adopt and implement IoT technology. These IoT enabled bulbs can be switched on and off remotely via and mobile app. Remote access is a common link between all the IoT device categories mentioned above.
Unlike other IoT devices, light bulbs can jumble colors according to your mood. The mobile application allows you to choose from the whole RGB spectrum. Thus possibilities are endless.
What else are these bulbs capable of?
They check all the boxes for an IoT device. IoT bulbs can connect to Wi-Fi networks. Integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT make it pretty simple to use.
Furthermore, you can also schedule and sync as per your liking. And some bulbs even come with geofencing and location services to determine your proximity.
Wearable Tech:
Although wearable hasn’t penetrated the consumer market yet. Still, it can have a significant impact in the coming years. Especially in the healthcare sector, where passive monitoring of vital stats can make health professionals’ life easy.
Wearable healthcare devices can collect data continuously in real-time. Thus sharing data with a doctor or a health professional becomes very simple. Furthermore, this will allow for real-time evaluation of patients. Collected data can help millions of patients all over the world.
Security Cameras:
Security cameras are other most common IoT devices popping up in huge numbers. These modern security cameras are network connected similar to other IoT devices seen before. An IoT security camera can be accessed via a mobile phone application.
They are excellent for home surveillance and to keep an extra eye on your prized possessions. What makes them secure is the ability to access them remotely from any location with a network. However, IoT cameras are the most vulnerable devices to cyber-attacks.
To safeguard your company employees from payment discrepancies you can rely on a cloud based payroll software such as factoHR which is immune to hacking and keeps your data safe.
Smart Speakers:
These speakers are the most abundant IoT device which has deeply penetrated the market. All the smart speakers you can buy are voice-enabled to control other network-connected devices or appliances.
They provide you a medium to control other IoT or connected devices. However, recently both the biggest suppliers of IoT speakers came under public scrutiny. As both Amazon and Google publicly admitted to record some conversations to improve voice recognition.
Conclusion:
As mentioned somewhere above, consider IoT devices both bane and boon for modern time. Additionally, the adoption of IoT devices in our daily lives is subjective and personal. But the way IoT trends are moving forward, we’ll see a future inevitably full of IoT devices.
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