Best IoT Applications

IoT (Internet of Things) has become a buzzword today, and it has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. From smartphones to smart appliances that we use in our homes, the presence of IoT is almost everywhere. Every device that can access the internet and exchange data with other internet-enabled devices forms a part of IoT. With several advancements in wireless technology, the use of IoT has become more feasible. In your day-to-day life, you may have come across various IoT applications, such as a smart AC that you can turn on and off literally from anywhere with the help of your smartphone and the internet. Also, there are many other such applications of IoT that you might have encountered but are not aware of. Well, in this article, we are going to explain some of the popular applications of IoT that you should know to understand this technology better. However, before moving to that, let us try to understand what IoT is all about.

What is IoT?

IoT is a system or platform in which several devices are connected to each other with the help of the internet. Also, the devices that are a part of the IoT can exchange data seamlessly. The exchange of data helps us to command different devices that can perform various tasks.

Top IoT Applications

Following are the most popular applications of IoT that you may find intriguing:

• Wearable Gadgets

It looks cool when you have an IoT gadget that you can wear. Some gadgets, such as Fitbit devices and smartwatches come with IoT support. They employ different kinds of sensors to make your life easy. Even many Fitbit devices can provide essential information to individuals to help them decide which meal to take or not. Also, many wearable devices come with a blood pressure sensor to measure blood pressure on the go. Such a device come in handy for those people having problems with high and low blood pressure.

• Smart Home Appliances

These days not only computer devices have IoT but home appliances too. What if I tell you the appliances that you use in your day-to-day life at your homes, such as TV, Refrigerator, AC, Heater, Light switches, etc. come with IoT support. Big tech companies such as Samsung and LG have released a series of smart home appliances that can connect to your mobile or smartwatch. Also, you can control them from any corner of the world with the help of the internet. For instance, there are smart ACs in the market that you can turn on and off while being at your office simply with the help of your smartphone.

• Smart City

Many developed countries, like the USA, Japan, and Norway, have smart cities. In general, a smart city is a city in which everything is managed properly with the help of the IoT concept. From water supply management to traffic lights, everything is controlled by the IoT, and with the help of your mobile devices and the internet, you can catch up with everything.

• Amazon Go

Amazon, one of the biggest tech companies in the world, launched a retail shop where you can shop anything if you are an Amazon user. The Amazon Go is not like normal retail shops. It is a high-tech shop that employs a bunch of modern sensors. In an Amazon Go retail shop, you do not have to go to the check-out counter for the billing. Instead, you just have to pick the products that you want to buy and leave the shop. The moment you leave the shop, the total amount for the products that you have brought with you will get deducted from your Amazon wallet.

• Smart Farming

The rise of many environmental issues, such as climate change, has a major effect on agriculture, and we simply can’t ignore them. Smart farming techniques bring more efficiency and productivity to farming. Many countries, including Japan, practice smart farming, and it has proven to yield great results. In smart farming, IoT plays a significant role in automating various processes and providing real-time data which is essential for devising more effective farming techniques.

• Smart supply chain

You often order products online, and there you get a feature where you can track your order in real-time and check till when the order reaches you. IoT enables the development of smart supply chains that makes the life of both customers and sellers easy as they can track their shipments in real-time.

IoT Advantages & Disadvantages

Like any other technology, IoT has some advantages and disadvantages that we are going to discuss below.

IoT Advantages

• It is very efficient and affordable.
• It allows multiple devices to connect and communicate with each other effectively.
• With IoT, it becomes easy to automate various tasks and control devices remotely.

IoT Disadvantages

• Compromises with the privacy of users.
• It cuts down human resource employment.

Conclusion

The Internet of Things (IoT) is evolving at a tremendous pace, and it thrives to make human lives better. There are a wide variety of devices that can become a part of the IoT system,  ranging from simple home appliances like TV, refrigerators, and air conditioners to smartphones and smart wearables. In a nutshell, we can say that IoT has the ability to bring together hardware and software to create a smarter world and bring value to human lives. Hopefully, this article has provided you with insights into the applications of IoT. Feel free to share your queries or suggestions in the comments section below.

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