The Internet of Things (IoT) remains an intriguing innovation, with the potential to transform the home and the factory. It allows various devices to be embedded with networking functionality, making them accessible over the Internet. The technology lies at the heart of the modern smart home. It also makes manufacturing processes more efficient and productive.
So let’s take a high-level overview of the IoT and a few of its applications. Promising use-cases abound for the technology that go beyond controlling lights and thermostats with a smartphone. Notably, the emergence of 5G networking and its low latency increases the effectiveness of this emerging technology.
What Does The Internet of Things (IoT) Exactly Do?
The IoT Simply Controls Devices Over The Internet
So the basic definition of the IoT remains simple. It merely allows the control of devices over the Internet. As noted earlier, the smart home concept illustrates the basic functionality of the IoT. Users control a variety of home devices – lights, shades, locks, HVAC – using a smartphone, tablet, or web browser. Of course, automated control is also possible.
However, the promise of smart homes becoming commonplace never really happened. Instead, the manufacturing world enjoyed higher adoption of a variant called the Industrial IoT (IIoT). It improves factory efficiency and productivity through the use of automation, remote control of environmental systems, and more.
Other interesting use-cases for the IoT outside the home abound. Forward-looking farmers use it to monitor soil and control watering equipment, saving money while producing higher yields. IoT technology also makes up some of the basic functionality of self-driving vehicles. Back to agriculture, automated farm equipment just might be a gamechanger for this industry sector.
How Does 5G Networking Make a Positive Impact on The IoT?
While 5G networks boast faster Internet speeds and bandwidth, its lower latency might be the most important difference. Simply stated, low latency makes controlling devices over the IoT a more seamless experience. For example, these benefits make self-driving vehicles more responsive and ultimately safer. It’s also a gamechanger for applications in healthcare or even online video gaming.
Smart Cities and The Future
The emerging IoT concept of the smart city boasts similarities to a smart home, but at a larger scale. Benefits include more efficient utilities, helping cities provide better service at a lower cost to taxpayers. Ultimately, expect the IoT to continue to make inroads in all aspects of life on this planet. It’s a massively important technology for the 21st century.
Do You Know What Internet of Things Means?
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