What makes the human mind different from other living creatures is its ability to feel curious. Feeling inquisitive about how things work and how to make things better is innate to humans. It is a constant pursuit of the human mind to make the world a better and safer place. The internet has long played its role in this domain because of the way it has connected the world. If we imagine the interconnectedness of the internet as streaks of light, the world would be illuminated by rays emerging from one side and culminating on the other side. The flow of information via the internet is not a one way flow; it surges in all possible directions.
More than a decade ago, the phrase Internet of Things was coined. It is a technical phrase that is increasingly becoming a part of human life. Its most basic function is the connecting of a device with a switch that turns it on and off with the internet or other devices with each other. From our smartphones to complex machines, they all fall under the Internet of Things. The number of interconnected devices is expected to skyrocket in the coming years.
The Internet of Things has many things under its control. Not only does it benefit big industries, it also helps policy makers, doctors, and all the way down to the individual users. Connectivity using smart technology is an intrinsic part of the concept of the Internet of Things. Smart homes, smart watches, and smart cities are all applications of this concept. In order to take full advantage of this interconnectivity of all devices, you’re going to need high-speed internet with blazing-fast speeds, much like Charter Spectrum offers. These are just a few of the Internet of Things examples listed below.
- The smart light bulbs introduced by Philips are set to make waves using the Internet of Things concept. A smartphone can be used to turn them on and off and they can alter their colors according to the commands given. The bulb can be set to light up and go off according to a set schedule without regular human intervention.
- A smart lock is a very interesting creation where a smartphone is connected to sensors on a home door in such a way that the door unlocks automatically when you reach your home. Keys can also be assigned to guests so they can gain access for a certain allowed period of time. The door can also be unlocked using the smartphone, even when the key is not available.
- Some smart devices can be used to entirely automate homes. SmartThings uses an Internet of Things approach to automatically light the home, set the temperature via the smart thermostat, maintain locks and keep the house secure, all while using the smartphone.
- Kolibree has developed a tooth brush that keeps a smart check on the brushing habits of the user. Brushing is turned into a healthy, yet entertaining activity because of the toothbrush’s sensors which transmit data via the smartphone to the dentist.
- Humans are not the only target of the Internet of Things, animals are also benefitting from it. There is a smart app that calculates the amount of food your pet should be eating, including its feeding times and the amount left in stock of the animal food that is available at home. It’s called the Petnet Smart Feeder.
- Healthpatch is an Internet of Things device that enables doctors to remotely measure things like heart rate, temperature, ECG, etc.
- An adapter is placed in the car that enables the Automatic App to keep track of one’s car. It keeps track of things such as mileage, fuel consumption, etc.
- DHL has also started using the Internet of Things technology to help its customers track packages in real time. These sensors are also increasing the productivity in the logistics sector as well.
- Sensors can also be placed around the homes of sick people. An app called Lively Personal Emergency Response System tracks the activity of sick people and alerts family members if there is a need.
- Sensors have been placed with the purpose of keeping track on the amount of water being wasted in big cities and were recently put in place in Houston. This smart solution has helped manage the city’s water supply.
