Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of interconnected devices and sensors that collect and share data through the internet. IoT devices range from everyday household items to sophisticated industrial tools, all embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity, which enables these objects to exchange data with the manufacturer, operator, and/or other connected devices.
History
The concept of IoT was first proposed in 1999 by Kevin Ashton, a British technology pioneer, during his work at Procter & Gamble. Ashton coined the term to describe a system where the internet was connected to the physical world via ubiquitous sensors. However, the idea of connected devices had roots even earlier:
- In 1982, students at Carnegie Mellon University connected a Coca-Cola machine to the internet, allowing them to check if it was stocked before making the trip to the machine.
- In the early 1990s, the first internet-connected appliance, the Internet Toaster, was created by John Romkey, showcasing the potential of connecting everyday devices to the internet.
Context
IoT has evolved from simple connectivity to a complex ecosystem:
- Applications: IoT is used in numerous sectors like healthcare for remote monitoring, in agriculture for precision farming, in manufacturing for predictive maintenance, and in smart homes for automation and energy saving.
- Standards and Protocols: Several protocols and standards have emerged to ensure interoperability among devices, including ZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth Low Energy, and Wi-Fi.
- Security and Privacy: With the increase in connected devices, security has become a paramount concern. Vulnerabilities in IoT devices could lead to data breaches or be exploited for cyber-attacks. Efforts like IoT Security Foundation aim to address these issues.
- Edge Computing: IoT has also driven the growth of edge computing, where data processing occurs closer to the source of the data to reduce latency and bandwidth usage.
Key Technologies