Smart Alarm System with Camera
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Internet of Things
The terms "connected object" and "Internet of Things", which emerged in the 2000s, are now widely used. But what exactly do they cover, what does "smart object" mean and what are the actual everyday applications of these "connected" objects?What is the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the expansion of the virtual aspect of the internet into everyday physical objects. The objects in question are therefore connected to the internet and act as a bridge between the real and the virtual.- Information sharing and control
Data is exchanged wirelessly, via Bluetooth (ultra high-frequency radio waves at short distance), over a wireless Wi-Fi connection or through a home automation unit connected to the internet that controls a network of connected objects in a home.
- How the Internet of Things works
- Capability
What are the areas of application?
The Internet of Things is very useful day to day for simplifying users' lives, automating tasks or saving time. Aside from these practical everyday applications, they are also present in numerous fields and their use is expected to further expand, whether for practical, business or entertainment purposes.- Physical exercise
A smart watch or smart bracelet lets you count how many miles you've covered, locate your position via GPS and view your history, as well as find out your heart rate while you were exercising. For thousands of users worldwide, these accessories, notably watches, have become inextricably linked with any sporting activity.
- Health and well-being
There are also smart accessories for maintaining a healthy weight: smart scales that calculate body fat and BMI, smart watches that track calorie intake, etc. The Internet of Things is also extremely beneficial for elderly users or those with a chronic illness, for example in managing medication intake and tracking changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
- Security
Another area of progress in home security is the development of smart smoke alarms and fire detectors. These notify users if a fire starts and allow them to react quickly to protect the possessions and people in their home.
- Smart home experience
The wide variety of applications covers numerous aspects of everyday life. From managing the watering of plants to checking air quality and local weather forecasts provided by a smart weather station, the number of accessories for optimising our time and improving our quality of life is on the rise. Smart baby monitors and smart patches with temperature sensors allow you to check on your baby without waking it up and you can even talk to your pet remotely on your smartphone when you're not at home!
- Leisure
- Mobility
The Internet of Things and data
Even the way that the Internet of Things works involves the continuous collection of user data. This is used to provide a history, produce statistics and make more intuitive use of products possible. Objects connected to the internet collect a variety of information that is transmitted via the internet and stored in data centres, which raises a number of issues.How can we ensure the security of this data circulating on the internet and what can we do to make sure this extremely valuable Big Data isn't misused by unscrupulous companies, organisations or governments? The issue of sensitive data is also raised by the increase in the number of health-related products.
The success and prospects of the Internet of Things
Growing numbers of smart objects (watches, clothing, accessories, etc.) are available on the market. Many companies have also invested in developing applications linked to their products. These objects are gradually becoming part of our everyday lives. In a society where time savings and productivity are king, it seems obvious that objects and applications that optimise daily tasks look set for a promising future. The development of leisure and the growing interest in technologies also explains the huge success of the Internet of Things.A recent study by consultants GfK, which provides benchmark information on the markets and consumer behaviour, puts the number of connected objects currently in circulation at 15 billion, and between 50 and 80 billion will be in use by 2020. Top of the market are devices dedicated to the home, with 57% of sales, notably devices dedicated to security, followed by automation systems. Between these devices, watches and accessories, which is a booming market, and smart health devices, which look set for significant growth in the coming years, it's believed that in 2020 every home will have around 30 of these smart systems.