Fire was
the first discovery, then came wheel, then came levers, and so on and so forth.
And finally, we've come to a point where we lack for nothing. So, the buck
stops at what next? We reached moon, we went under sea, we can literally
communicate from North Pole to South Pole, and we are travelling at the speed
of bullet, so WHAT NEXT! I’ll tell you what’s next. Remember, how in Harry
Potter all wizards had everything at the disposal of their wands. You want to
wash clothes, charming spell, and SWISH, clean clothes at the go! You want to
warm up, a fire spell and KABOOM, and all your frost bites are gone! You want
to write something down but are too tired to lift your fingers, a magic quill
and CLICK, you’re getting a manicure while your instructions are being followed
to a T! Oh, am I sounding ludicrous now? If you think so, then I’ll tell you 3
words which will make you rethink. And those 3 words are Internet of Things. Let me break it down for you.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is
the amalgamate of electronics and software in any device not usually considered
computerized in nature, to enable it to achieve greater value and service by
giving it an ability to network and communicate with other devices. The
inception of this concept started off in early 80s, when a Coke machine, at
Carnegie Mellon University, was altered to make it the first appliance to be
connected to internet, and was able to report its inventory and determine
whether the drinks stored were cold or not. IoT’s products can refer to a
variety of objects like heart monitoring devices such as heart monitoring
implants, biochip transponders on farm animals, automobiles with built-in
sensors, or field operation devices that assist fire fighters in search and
rescue missions. The current market examples are smart thermostat systems and
washer/dryers that utilize WiFi for remote monitoring. This concept gained
popularity in 1999 through Auto-ID Center at MIT. Equipping all objects with
minuscule identifying devices was seen as first of its consequences.
For
example, instant and ceaseless inventory control would be ubiquitous. Such
technology could grant motion-picture publishers more control over end-user
private devices by enforcing remotely copyright restrictions. It is predicted
that nearly 26 billion devices will be on IoT by 2020.
The various opportunities offered by IoT
fall into 3 broad categories:
- Enablers that develop and implement underlying technology
- Engagers that design, create, integrate and deliver IoT services to customers
- Enhancers that devise their own unique value-added services
To make the products of IoT possible, it
requires combination of five major types of tech offerings. These are:
- Endpoints are the single-function sensors and actuators that reach out and touch the world around them, monitoring for changes and providing feedback to adjust those changes. These enable 2 key capabilities: gathering and analysing data from surroundings and reaching out to Internet for control of objects.
- Simple hubs are the devices that connect endpoints to broader networks. When integrated into products such as washing machines or vehicles. For example, electricity hubs that monitor usage and cost can feed data to electric power utilities, which can then suggest best time to use appliances.
- Integrating hubs that connect simple hubs and outside connections are relatively complex devices providing a diverse array of services that fit more or less seamlessly together. In May 2014, Apple introduced one of the first truly integrating hub offerings, HomeKit to bring together all simple hubs.
- Network and cloud services provide infrastructure to the IoT. They can either be public or private. These services provide seamless and transparent connection to the hubs that require, along with cloud computing power needed to collect, store and analyse vast amounts of data from myriad endpoints. They also provide infrastructure for connection to social networks so that users can compare and share their experiences.
- Enhanced services is a nascent category, comprising the most technologically sophisticated components of the IoT. Enhanced Services will make use of information collected and analysed by other platforms and services to deliver broad-based interactive functions. For example, Progressive’s Snapshot system, are integrating hubs, connecting monitors on automobiles with software that links insurance rates to deliver performance.
These five technological options, from
endpoints to enhanced services, provide a menu of diverse opportunities for
established as well as start-up companies.
So all said and done, we’re now equipped to
be Tony Starks with our personal Jarvises. But are we? We stand at the
threshold of this amazing life-integrating technology which is bubbling with
opportunities, why should we stop? But let’s not forget every coin has two
sides and so is this with IoT. Let’s not
throw caution to the winds yet. IoT won’t simply be viewing technology. The
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) expressed concern regarding the ability
of IoT to erode people’s control over their lives. It wrote that, ”There’s
simply no way to forecast how these immense powers-disproportionately
accumulating in the hands of companies seeking financial advantage and
governments craving ever more control- will be used. Chances are Big Data will
make it harder for us to control our lives, as we grow increasingly transparent
to powerful corporations and government institutions that are becoming opaque
to us.” Thus, we need to think carefully and act accordingly for our own
privacy and freedoms as to how much should we be inclusive.
Surabhi Kanth
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