The Internet of Things also known as “IoT” is a recent concept about technology that has been acquiring special importance in recent years. It refers to an interconnection of cars, home appliances, buildings, and other items which are provided with sensors, hardware, software and actuators.
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| IOT - Internet of Things |
The IoT allows objects to be sensed or controlled remotely by using a network infrastructure, creating opportunities for more integration between the physical world and computer systems resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy, organization and economic benefit for everybody. This will be taking more importance and increase its popularity in the next years, not only because new applications are being discovered for this technology but also because it is expected that by 2020 there will be over 25 billion connected devices to Internet. Even though, there are several retractors as they are skeptical about its benefits.
In order to get a better understanding about IoT we must see at the words “Things” not only as an abstract word but as a combination of hardware, software, data and service that collects information and share with other similar devices, computers or people. IoT systems could also be responsible for performing actions, not just sensing. Intelligent shopping systems, for example, could monitor the habits of purchasing from a person in a mall by tracking the stores visited by using his own smartphone. The user could then be provided with special offers on his favorite products, or even location of items that he need.
There are many examples for how IoT will look like or how is it going to affect our life. Say for example that you are going to a meeting, your car has access to your calendar and already knows the best route to take according to the information of traffic and distance acquired from internet, and even if the traffic is heavy your car would be able to send a message to your friends that you will be arriving late. Think, What if your alarm clock wakes you up at 7 am and at the same time notifies to the coffee maker to start to brewing coffee for you? What if your print knows when the ink is running out and automatically orders new supplies before the ink is over?
There are lots of examples about possible applications and even there is a lot that will be discovered as technology advances.
This is why people is very enthusiastic so much so that nowadays, universities, industry and governments are working hard to try to improve this technology in order to implement it in their working areas, cities and homes, investing millions of dollars and many other resources.
But in the other hand, not everybody agree with the implementation if this technology, there is many people against using the internet of things because as their homes or cars or any other devices will be connected to a network, these will be sending personal information that can be used by thieves or scammers or even by spies. The internet of things is being developed very fast without appropriate consideration of the big security challenges involved and the regulatory laws that might be necessary. Without a good security system cyber-attacks will affect you not only in the cyber space but also in the real life. Say for example if your printer is enabled to order new ink supply, it has to have access to your credit or debit card so if it is infected with some virus your card could be easily cloned, and not only money can be stolen also personal information, passwords or academic works, etc.
As well as the expansion of automation systems connected to internet reaches to new application areas, IoT is expected to generate large amounts of data from all over the world, with the consequent necessity of a large data storage, an increase in the network speed and a more effectively processing of data. As these challenges are solved, IoT will become one of the platforms that will convert our cities in real Smart Cities including homes, schools, transport or hospitals even if not everybody agrees with this idea.
I know that IoT is not easy to understand if you are not familiarized with the use of networks and technologies related to it, but its applications are easily understood, so that, the concept can be assimilated by most of people, so that, they can get their own opinion and say if they agree or disagree about using it. Nowadays, most of people have had contact with this technology but they even don’t know.
