Internet of Things (IoT)
For some people talking about IOT or the Internet of Things can be confusing or strange and for others it may sound more familiar because it is used daily, but today we are going to understand what IOT is and how it works, for this we are going to divide into two parts
The Internet
the already known network of networks that allows us to interconnect our computer equipment, and thus be able to access services resources and web pages anywhere in the world,
The second part of the Internet of Things is even easier to understand than it is:
Things
the physical objects that are in our daily life for example:
- A car
- coffee maker
- a toothbrush
- a microwave oven
- a washing machine
Anyway, anything, just that these objects have a great particularity that they are different from simple objects and that is that they have sensors, integrated circuits, interconnectivity that allow them to make changes or exchange data, either with each other or with the internet.
These objects are known as IOT nodes or smart devices, it is important to clarify that they are called smart devices not only because they have internet access, but because they must be able to fulfill one or more of the following functions:
Functions:
1) monitoring: it is perhaps one of the most important of all, since from the integration of various sensors it will be possible to recognize what happens around the smart device
for example they are able to identify:
- speed
- temperature
- the altitude
- the movement
or any other element that occurs around it
2) Control: once you have monitoring, you should take an example action:
- open or close a door
- turn a device on or off
- send or retrieve certain information
is a crucial part of smart devices
3) Optimization: after having a monitoring and control analysis of the information that has been collected, you should know how to use the resources when they are strictly used:
4) Automation: in itself it is to facilitate and reprogram activities that are considered routine,
With the aforementioned we can say that the Internet of Things or (IOT) is about all the objects that surround us day by day, which through closed circuits and sensors, can collect information.
which can then be exchanged between the smart devices themselves or with any server on the internet, which will have the function of analyzing the data, to later obtain the data, optimize resources and perform an action.
And as an image is worth a thousand words, compare several examples about the IOT.
Luna smart mattress
Luna is a mattress that promises to make your bed smart, Luna will learn patterns and sleeping habits, among its capabilities:
- regulate the temperature
- monitoring functions (recognizes heart rate, breathing rate and sleep phases)
Luna will interconnect and exchange data with other smart devices such as the door, it will verify that the door is closed and in turn set the alarm on the smartphone the next day.
Challenges and Threats
3 Challenges:
1) The one associated with energy and electrical consumption, as we have mentioned, smart devices will be throughout the city and many will need batteries that, obviously, will not be able to change daily
This is why manufacturers are increasingly looking for a way to create more durable and easily recharged or more affordable batteries such as solar
2) Bandwidth, since all devices will occupy an internet connection, internet service providers must have more and better links
since if it is not strengthened this can see a collapse of all devices interconnected to the internet
3) Better sensors, despite the fact that every day they are manufactured smaller, it is still necessary to investigate more in depth how to become more functional or multifunctional
3 Threats
1) Failures in the devices, as they are devices for specific use, the capabilities of being able to update are complicated, so that the failures could take a long time to be repaired
2) Privacy will be strongly violated since in order to receive the benefits expected by IOT it will be necessary and indisputable to provide information, which may be of a personal nature
3) Vulnerability, they have been designed by humans, it means that it will always be in constant improvement and therefore it is not ecent of vulnerabilities
Conclusion
We can affirm that the internet of things is a field that will revolutionize our lifestyle, and will help us to make routine processes easier such as being able to have control of what surrounds us, but it encounters the most important barrier and that is Privacy that can be violated by malicious people
a wide sector where many programmers can improve, change and transform!
I call it opportunity!
