Author: Lena Fedda
Editors: Tharindi Jayatilake, Lane Xu
Artist: Daisy Zheng
The tech field never ceases to surprise us with new inventions consistently, and IoT (the internet of things) is no exception. So, what is IoT and how does it ameliorate our lives?
IoT is a network of smart physical objects like smartphones, air conditioners, thermostats, and lightbulbs that are connected to the internet through IP addresses. IoT’s main job is to gather information, analyze it and act upon it through embedded chips and sensors in the devices to facilitate the user’s tasks that range from checking the weather to monitoring the temperature of the room and answering calls. These are only a few examples. The concept of IoT is quite new, it was first introduced by Kevin Ashton in 1999 who cofounded Auto-ID Center at MIT that specializes in RFID technology.
Can you imagine the weight that IoT lifts on your behalf? Waking up late is no longer an issue because your coffee machine is making you coffee, the shower is adjusted to what you prefer, and your emails and calls have probably been answered while you were sleeping. IoT is also beneficial for different businesses since it saves time and money, enhances employees’ productivity, and helps with decision-making through collected data. However, as much they collect data about you to ameliorate your experience, these devices can endanger you as well. Insecure IoT systems can be easily hacked and therefore your personal information can be spread or used for malicious purposes. But despite that, the internet of things is a promising technology, big tech companies are already investing in IoT such as Apple, Amazon, and Verizon, to name a few. It is estimated to grow even bigger in the near future, and we'll all be looking forward to that.
Citations:
Burgess, M. (2018, February 16). What is the Internet of Things? WIRED explains. Retrieved
November 17, 2020, from https://www.wired.co.uk/article/internet-of-things-what-is-
Rouse, M. (2020, February 11). What is IoT (Internet of Things) and How Does it Work?
Retrieved November 17, 2020, from
https://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/definition/Internet-of-Things-IoT