What is the Internet of Things (IoT) and how does it affect our lives?

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Imagine a world where your things take care of your needs: your refrigerator orders groceries when they run out, and your car warns you about upcoming maintenance and its cost. This is the reality that the Internet of Things is creating for us - a system that connects physical objects with virtual networks. This technology is already significantly simplifying many processes today and promises even more changes in the near future.
Let's figure out what the Internet of Things is and how it relates to your everyday life.

What is IoT (Internet of Things) technology?
The Internet of Things is a technology that allows various physical devices to exchange data with each other. These devices, called “Internet of Things devices,” can be anything from simple sensors to complex control systems. Smart devices collect information, process it, and generate the necessary reactions. Thus, the Internet of Things technology significantly simplifies system management and improves the quality of life.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is being applied in many areas, from home appliances such as thermostats uk whatsapp number database and lighting to industrial systems that automate processes. We can talk about the beginning of a new era where objects begin to interact with each other.

What is IoT (Internet of Things) technology?Image by storyset on Freepik.
How the Internet of Things Works
The IoT is based on the use of sensors and network connections. For example, devices equipped with sensors collect information about the environment - about temperature, humidity or lighting. This data is then sent to cloud services or servers, where it is analyzed and processed. Sensors are connected to various devices and systems connected to the Internet - this makes it possible to remotely collect data on the state of the environment, user behavior, the functioning of equipment and much more.

However, this process allows not only to collect IoT data, but also to react to its changes in real time. For example, a smart thermostat regulates the temperature in the house - it controls the heating based on the weather outside and the habits of the residents.

Two types of Internet of Things
IoT can be divided into two main categories: consumer and industrial.

Consumer
This segment includes devices used in everyday life, such as smart watches, fitness trackers, lighting systems, and thermostats. They simplify people's routine tasks and improve the comfort of their daily lives. These devices are able to control home appliances, monitor human health, and optimize resource consumption.

Industrial
On the other hand, the concept of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) unites devices and systems used in production processes. Here, we are mainly talking about collecting data from industrial machines, monitoring the condition of equipment, and automating production tasks. For example, smart sensors track equipment wear and tear and notify in advance of the need for repairs.