One of the most promising forms of technology in the present period is the new Internet of things (IoT). The Internet of things refers to the network of real objects (“things” or “things-and-garments”) embedded with electronics, sensors, and communications technologies for the specific purpose of linking and exchanging information with other systems and devices over the Internet. In fact, the IoT already constitutes a considerable portion of the information technology market, with more companies investing in it every year.
An IoT can refer to anything and everything that are internet-connected to the Internet: from smart phones to kitchen appliances to fridges to thermostats, the possibilities are infinite. With this technology, people will be able to access their computers, smart phones, televisions, and any other devices via their Internet connections at any time and from any place. The IoT will enable people to transfer data from one computer to another, to monitor and control what is going on in specific areas of the building or in the vicinity or to perform a range of activities that would be otherwise difficult or impossible. Additionally, sensors will be able to detect movement or activity in a room or around a building and, through its connection to the internet, send information back to a central repository or command centre. With the help of this all the technology that comes along with the IoT will be put to good use.
At the heart of the IoT is its promise to enable real-time connectivity between various systems and users via wireless or wirelessly. It is expected that within the next few years there will be an extensive range of communication features, such as those related to temperature, light, sound, proximity, or the ability to communicate over long distances. There is also an expectation that in coming years there will be significant enhancements in the existing capabilities of devices and networking technologies to allow users to interact with smart connected devices such as televisions or laptops. As well as offering a new interface for controlling devices, the IoT will also need to provide a mechanism for distributing the creation of the data that is generated by these devices. At present, this distribution system is usually handled by a data centre that has access to the internet. However, there is a lot of potential for wireless communication links to extend to the home or workplace, especially where the property is situated close to a wireless router or modem.
With regards to the consumer side of the IoT, there are two major areas where there is a lot of potential. The first area concerns the creation of more consumer friendly devices that make it easier for consumers to interact with iot devices. One such example includes integrating the iot back box with digital signage and content publishing. In order to make the experience more interesting, advertising will be displayed on the screen of the consumer iot device. In addition, the device will also have the capacity to deliver messages and advertisements that are based on the content published on the iot back box.
Another potential application of the IoT for building automation is through the integration of sensors. The most popular type of sensor used in building automation is the RFID sensor. This sensor is able to detect objects in real-time and relay this information to the central control. For example, the relay of information from an open door may trigger an automated response from the door’s opener or gate lock. The central control can then use the information from the sensor to remotely control the opening of doors or windows.
Building automation will be even easier when the iot devices themselves become smarter. As mentioned above, creating smarter, more connected devices is something that the IoT will be able to accomplish. Smart phones with iot applications are now being developed that can send out requests to printers, computers and other iot devices. When this happens, automation will be brought to a whole new level. As this happens, the automation building blocks will become even more robust and efficient.
