The Internet of Things or Internet of Things may be a term you hear more and more everywhere. And this is normal since the Internet of Things refers simply to the future of the Web but also of our society in general. If all this is still very unclear to you, here’s what you need to better understand this new major innovation of the Internet.
Let’s start with the essential question: what is the Internet of Things or the Internet of Things in English? In concrete terms, it refers to the interconnections between the Internet, objects, places and various environments. In other words, it is the exchange of information and data between billions of connected objects and the Internet.
Thanks to or because of the Internet of Things, billions and billions of data are circulating on the Internet and this will continue to grow over the next few years. Indeed, specialists estimate that 150 billion connected devices will be up and running by 2025.
So our way of life will be even more closely linked to the Internet and its connected objects, which will be an integral part of our daily lives, if not already the case. In very concrete terms, the Internet of Things consists of three things:
- Objects connected directly to the Internet
- Connections and communication between the devices themselves without human intervention thanks to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or 4G
- Smart connected devices” such as smartphones or tablets.
What is important to remember is that the Internet of Things refers to all connected devices that exchange, group and store data on the Internet.
How does the Internet of Things work?
Obviously, the functioning of the Internet of Things is extremely technical and we won’t go into detail. Everything works mainly thanks to the sensors placed on the connected objects, which are themselves part of large infrastructures made up of connected devices and various networks.
These sensors will capture and gather a whole bunch of data that will transit through a wireless network to an Internet of Thing or “IoT” platform. All this data can then be analyzed to make the most of it and propose appropriate solutions for a given situation.
When you start using connected appliances in your home, you naturally want everything to work properly. This is why it is absolutely necessary to take advantage of fiber in your home. In fact, your benefit from ultra-low latency and a connection speed that is tenfold: total comfort.
It’s so fast that you can download an entire 1.5 GB movie in just 31 seconds. What more could you ask for than this question: are you ready for the future?
What is the Internet of Things for?
That’s all well and good, but what is the purpose of the Internet of Things? What are the possible uses in everyday life? Well, like the Internet in general, the possibilities are very numerous. Here are a few examples.
1. The safety of people
The Internet of Things can obviously be very useful in ensuring the safety of citizens. For example, we think of bracelets for isolated people that can send a distress signal in case of a problem. This signal makes it possible to directly call for help without wasting a single second by sending an alert to the emergency telephone platform.
2. The smart-cities
In the long term, all major cities are likely to be fully connected and therefore automated. In concrete terms, we will see more and more electrical charging stations appearing everywhere, as well as devices for automatic management of waste and natural resources, security devices, and devices for managing the energy performance of buildings.
Over the years, there will be more and more of these devices, all of which will be connected to each other, making it easier to maintain the city and ensure the comfort of its citizens.
3. Healthcare
Also, and this is not an insignificant element, the Internet of Things can help to better care for people. Indeed, connected objects can allow to consult and establish online diagnoses or to consult a patient’s vital constants remotely. Other examples include connected defibrillators or devices that can measure almost all of a patient’s vital signs and thus fill out a personal database for each person. Saving time, more precision, the Internet of Things is therefore also useful for people’s health.
But this kind of technology is not only reserved for the medical profession. Anyone can obtain a sleep sensor to be placed under a mattress to evaluate the quality of their sleep. The same goes for connected toothbrushes or scales that make it easier to monitor one’s health or dental hygiene. But the best known gadget is undoubtedly the connected bracelet that can measure, among other things, the heart rate, the number of calories burned, etc..
4. Transportation
Mobility is a global issue and the Internet of Things can clearly contribute to improving this sector. Thanks to geolocation, itineraries can be optimized, information kiosks can facilitate travelers’ journeys, and in-car videos can improve user safety.
Also, connected cars can give directions to the driver to enable him or her to drive in a more environmentally friendly manner. In conclusion, the Internet of Things can improve road safety, enhance the comfort of travelers and drivers, and combat pollution.
5. The agricultural world
Farming is an exhausting activity that requires a lot of work on the part of farmers. So, to make their activities easier, some are already using technology. For example, sensors on agricultural machinery are used to automatically guide the machines without going beyond the boundaries of a plot of land. There are also machines that can transport equipment without the farmers’ intervention.
There are also sensors for plants or animals that allow a farmer to receive precise information about their crops or livestock. These sensors are also capable of sending SMS alerts to farmers in the event of a problem so that they can react quickly and ensure the maintenance of all these connected devices.
