Thanks to smartphones, people have become comfortable with, and even reliant upon, carrying technology with them everywhere. This has been in the making ever since the rise of home computers, but these days things are connected in ways that people may not even think about, and it’s all because of the internet of things (IoT). In the most basic terms, IoT refers to all computing devices that are connected to the internet. People typically use the term in a more specific way, however. IoT is used so that devices can communicate together over the web—even ones that you wouldn’t think would have the ability to do so.
Even more importantly, the internet of things enables devices to communicate without human intervention. Examples of IoT include connecting your smartphone to your car via Bluetooth, smart thermostats and security systems in the home, wearable devices used to track heartbeats and other vital signs, and much more. The future of IoT could even lead to the rise of the smart city where traffic lights, cameras, and self-driving cars can all communicate to make the area more efficient and safer. Of course, like with any rising technology, there are challenges to widespread adoption. Here are some of the main ways IoT adoption can be improved.
Machine Learning
Artificial 0intelligence has existed in concept since the 1950s, and computer scientists have been pursuing ways to advance it ever since. Machine Learning (ML) is a subcategory of AI that allows machines to learn through being exposed to data rather than through explicit programming. ML is based largely on the concept of deep learning, which involved an artificial neural network that enabled computers to learn by completing tasks in layers.
With advanced AI algorithms, machine learning can improve IoT adoption by analyzing massive amounts of data and finding patterns to predict future developments better. Businesses are already using machine learning in combination with IoT to automate tasks, unify data into a single source of truth, forecast customer demand, and more.
Blockchain
While often associated with cryptocurrency, blockchain technology is a type of record-keeping that can be used for various purposes. It gets its name because it stores large amounts of data in blocks and then chains them together. Typical databases would store information in tables, blockchain stores data in groups (blocks), and once a block is filled, it’s automatically connected to the previous block. Any new information coming in will begin filling the next block.
It’s believed that blockchain can help solve two of the greatest IoT problems: security and scalability. Blockchains provide much better encryption than other storage options, and it allows for rapid transaction processing that could support billions of devices connected at once. This last point is especially crucial as many people now have multiple devices connected to the IoT.
Product Lifecycle Management
Of course, the IoT can’t be implemented further if there aren’t great products to support it. While PLM used to mean that companies would monitor their products’ design and deployment processes, the internet has evolved the process. These days, PLM starts with the idea for a product and continues all the way until its end of use. Sensors in connected products will monitor their performance and activity, all of which can be reported to the manufacturers. This way, organizations can detect irregular patterns in their devices and even remotely repair them. IoT also makes it much easier to optimize devices with new updates if necessary. The possibilities that the IoT offers are nearly limitless, and with constant advancements in technology, the internet of things is bound to become even more ingrained in daily life.
