The concept of IoT started in the early 1980s. In 1982, computer science graduate students at Carnegie Mellon University had connected a vending machine to the internet. The programmers developed an application to check the availability and temperature of the drink. It was in 1999 that IoT was officially recognized as a distinct technology.
In the next few years, the application of the IoT technology increased many folds, and IoT was used wireless communication, embedded systems, and micro-electromechanical systems.
IoT is a vast network comprising of connected devices. The internet-connected tools collect and store data and share it. Today, a lot of corporations are spending on IoT technologies. According to research and findings, in 2020, spending on technology is expected to reach $1 trillion. Both individuals and organizations benefit from IoT technology. IoT-based solutions enable the automation of daily tasks and effective monitoring and control of the connected devices as well. This leads to improved efficiency and convenience in performing tasks.
The technology is leading a revolutionary change in industries such as health care, manufacturing, retail, energy, and agriculture industries. A lot of corporations are incorporating IoT with their businesses. They are focusing on enhancing efficiency through real-time data management and automation of tasks.
New applications of IoT technologies allow organizations to design and implement solid risk management strategies. Companies are leveraging from technology for improved operational performance. By becoming more energy-efficient, companies intend to reduce the carbon footprint on the environment.
Best IoT Applications in 2020
Let us now understand some of the notable areas of IoT application in 2020.
1. IoT Sensors
IoT sensors comprise of manual or digital sensors connected to circuit boards. The circuit boards are programmed to measure a range of data collected from sensors such as levels of carbon monoxide, temperature, humidity, pressure, vibration, and motion.
What makes IoT sensors better than simple sensors is that they can not only gather data at different physical environments but can also pass on the data to the connected devices. The IoT sensors enable seamless control of data that delivers actionable insights. Businesses can use them for predictive maintenance, enhanced efficiency, and reduced costs.
2. IoT Data Analytics
Businesses are leveraging IoT data analytics to determine trends and patterns by analyzing big and small data. IoT data analytics apps can explain a variety of data structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data to extract meaningful insights. IoT can be used in data analytics to analyze various types of data, including motion data sets, geographical data, and health care data.
3. IoT-Based Supply Chain Management
Supply chain professionals can make better predictions through smart routing and rerouting algorithms. Smart IoT devices connected to packages can provide instant information via GPS and RFID signals that can help make informed supply chain decisions. The programs can help in inventory management, vendor relationships, fleet management, and scheduled maintenance.
4.Smart Bar Code Reader
IoT based bar code readers feature cloud data connections to connect with other systems. Using the connected bar code reader will ease the process of managing inventory.
IoT barcode readers can be incorporated into shopping carts.
5.Smart Farming
Farmers can use smart IoT farming applications for optimizing a lot of different activities, such as determining the best time to harvest plants, creating fertilizer profiles based on the chemistry of the soil, and sensing soil nutrients and moisture levels.
IoT technologies can help in precise farming, which can result in optimized production. The agriculture market, with IoT device installation, will likely grow at the rate of 20 percent, reaching 75 million by 2020, according to an intelligence report.
Some examples of farming IoT devices include Smart Elements, AllMETOE, and Pynco. These devices help in detecting weather conditions and other environmental data. The concept of smart farming can benefit the agriculture industry immensely. Applications of IoT technologies can help to boost both the quality and quantity of agriculture production.
Conclusion
It is evident from the above applications that IoT is playing a huge role in the advancement of various technologies. For more information on IoT certifications and to become an IoT expert, check out Global Tech Council.