Connected homes, smart homes, wearable fitness trackers are not new to you then you must be wondering about the technology behind them. These examples are the answers to the question of what is IoT. The internet is loaded with the answer to this question, still, we will quickly take a look at the definition.

What is IoT?

IoT or the Internet of Things is nothing but connecting any device to the internet and other devices. It becomes a huge network where people and devices are connected to each other with the aim of sharing and collecting data that specifies the environment usage around them.

Components of IoT

After explaining what is IoT, next is what are the components of IoT. A full-fledged IoT system is comprised of four components:

Sensors or devices

Sensors are used to collect data from the surroundings. One or any number of sensors can be used in the IoT devices that collect something from the environment.

Connectivity

The collected data needs to be sent to the clouds but how? So, the next step is establishing a stable connection. The reliable connection between clouds and the sensors will help data sending. This connection can be any type like WiFi, satellite, or direct connection to the internet using any reliable method. Although each type has its own drawbacks regarding power consumption, speed, and range, the selection of connectivity method depends upon the type of IoT application.

Data processing

Till here, data is sent on the cloud. The dedicated software will process the data to achieve the desired functionalities. The functionalities range can be varied from simple to complex depending upon the type of application.

User interface

Now processed information must be sent to the user, so an easy-to-use UI is needed. The UI can be a simple alert or an email. In many cases, the end-user responds to the processed information proactively and impacts the system. In other cases, actions are performed automatically rather than waiting for the user to do the actions.

Working of IoT

Once you are clear with what is IoT and its components are, the next is the actual working. Here is the flow of the working of IoT:

  • A sensor installed in the device will collect data from the environment or other devices.
  • As these IoT devices are connected to the internet via a reliable network connection, it will share the collected information with the application.
  • The capable IoT applications will sieve only useful information and process the information to deliver the desired results.

Benefits of IoT

  • The IoT devices are ready to help us to make our lives more comfortable and convenient.
  • The security devices that use IoT in their mechanism will give additional security and will take the necessary actions without spending time to prevent further damage.
  • You will experience improved productivity of your staff if IoT is implemented inside the campus.
  • It is a very cost-effective option that saves many resources.
  • You can achieve improved customer service and customer retention with the help of IoT.

IoT has touched our daily lives and impacted our activities from shopping to travelling that everyone must have at least a shallow idea about what is IoT. It is not a hidden secret anymore that IoT is the new future. So, get ready to use IoT-enabled devices and rely on them to live new essence of life.