Although IOT smart devices vary in function, there are many commonalities among them. They are physical objects that are designed to interact with the real world, such as intelligent security cameras or assembly-line sensors. Using IoT smart devices in your home or office can improve your security, comfort, and convenience.
IoT devices are evolving at an incredible rate
The IoT is a network of interconnected devices, which may be as small as a light bulb that can be turned on and off through an app on your smartphone or as complicated as a driverless truck. There are many uses for IoT, including health monitoring and smart cities, which are being built around sensors and the Internet of Things.
For example, in livestock monitoring, you can get data on the health of cattle, helping ranchers to make better decisions. With timely information, you can prevent a sick animal from spreading. Another application for IoT is omni-channel sales, which aims to streamline the entire purchasing process. Many devices now include sensors that allow manufacturers to keep track of their products and provide support quickly if necessary.
They can perform complicated tasks
IoT smart devices can do a wide range of complex tasks, from improving crop yields in agriculture to monitoring HVAC systems. From home automation to brick-and-mortar retail, these devices can help enterprises in four important areas: security, energy, logistics, and customer experiences. To understand how IoT can help in each area, we can consider the following scenarios.
The Nest Smoke Alarm, for example, works on IoT and connects to your mobile device. When the alarm goes off, the device will alert you by text message or phone call, and it automatically tests itself. It can also control the temperature of your house. It uses the data collected to make adjustments based on your activities. It can also interact with Alexa for voice control.
They can provide in-house comfort
Smart devices that are connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) can provide in-house comfort, including heat and sound. For example, a smart wall can radiate heat, or project relaxing forest images or sounds. It can also emulate a window during cold weather. This technology has the potential to revolutionize urban living.
While building automation systems are now widely adopted in commercial buildings, residential buildings lack integrated control systems. Many homes only have one or two thermostats, and very little indoor environment monitoring capability. However, the emergence of IoT smart devices is opening up opportunities for building owners to provide comfort for occupants without the cost of installing new control systems.
The rise of IoT smart devices has given hotel owners a huge opportunity to streamline their management systems, while improving guest satisfaction. In addition to providing greater comfort and convenience, IoT devices also improve security. Automated smart door locks, for instance, are an excellent security feature. Guests can unlock their room by using a secure app.
They can improve security
While IOT smart devices are a great convenience, their lack of security can leave them open to hackers. Cybercriminals will exploit any security gap they can find, including IoT smart devices, to get into a network and access sensitive information. Unless you implement strong security controls, you will be at risk of being fined for non-compliance, lawsuits, and even lost business. Insufficient security creates a large attack surface that is easy to exploit, and it can give the bad guys access to everything – from your bank account to your lighting system. Even voice commands from digital assistants can be used to steal sensitive data.
Fortunately, there are ways to make IoT smart devices more secure. Hardware-based encryption features like the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip can offer strong protection for your IoT devices. These chips offer a hardware-enabled secure crypto-processor that encrypts digital certificates and cryptographic keys. A TPM chip is well worth the cost and effort if you’re trying to improve IoT security.
They can reduce the size of surgical incisions
IoT smart devices can help surgeons cut down surgical incisions while reducing the risk of complications. These miniature robots are internet-connected and can be programmed to perform complex procedures. The smaller the incision, the less trauma it causes and the quicker the patient will recover. However, these devices must be accurate and reliable to be used in surgery.
IOT smart devices can help doctors monitor their patient’s condition and provide valuable data. For example, a smart ophthalmic surgical platform can be programmed to send data from the patient’s eyes to the surgeon. This information can be used to better plan surgeries and respond to service requests. This will improve overall surgical efficiency and minimize downtime in the operating room.