While this may seem like a line from a SciFi script, the future is more realistic than ever. Welcome to the world of IoT or Internet of Things.
Though not as popular as its famous counterpart, Artificial Intelligence, its penetration into the consumer market is indeed extensive.
What is IoT......
It is the term used to describe a device, or set of devices which are connected to the internet, and also communicate with each other. They can share data obtained from various sensors to a central hub, analyze it using AI, and take appropriate actions. For example, a smart thermostat can read the room temperature, analyze the same, and adjust the heating system without any human intervention. Another example would be a smart camera which provides video footage when a movement is detected in the house. This can be done remotely even when the home owner is not present.
Beginning....
The invent of this tech is heavily contested with some claims to be as early as the introduction of first long distance communication or the electromagnetic telegraph.
Others state that IoT emerged along with the advent of Internet. The first verified device which used this technology was a Coca Cola vending machine installed at Carnegie Mellon University, 1980. It send information related to device temperature, and inventories to a central server.
Then came the introduction of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags which were used to track device location using radio waves. A point here to be noted. RFID is different from Barcode which are parallel strips containing passive information. Barcode need to be scanned independently and a line of sight to communicate. Both these drawbacks are mitigated by RFID.
Another example would be Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) which are collection of sensors placed at different location across a industrial or residential complex. They then send information periodically to a central command which are stored in real time, and actions inserted.
Cyber Attacks and Privacy.....
Of course, the connected world brings the concern of hacking and data theft with it. There is a remote chance that unethical actors can steal data and use the same for unscrupulous activities. What if an outside actor gets data from a smart watch. The sensitive information regarding your health such as blood pressure, allergies can then be used for manipulation. Another example would be turning on the hallway or bedroom camera capturing private moments which can be used for ransom purpose.
Cybersecurity for IoT devices is slowly catching up, but due to fast acceptance rate need to speed up more. Any device connected to the internet or even remotely is prone to hacking as the Stuxnet worm has proved it.
Basic steps of prevention include regular software updates, antivirus and firewall installation.
The Future......
The future holds great promise as the IoT industry is said to total around $2.227 billion by 2028. Also decrease in hardware and sensor costs can increase the penetration rates.
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