What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

In light of the continuous development in the field of information and communication technology, a few years ago the term “Internet of Things” appeared, which refers to millions of millions of smart devices (things) connected to the internet around the world. So that these devices collect and share information between them to serve the human being and facilitate his life. It is now possible to operate any device on the internet, regardless of its size or function, from kitchen mixer to airplanes. But what distinguishes the Internet of Things is the ability of these devices to communicate with each other without human intervention. Your smartwatch that knows when you wake up will send its data to the electric oven to prepare your breakfast!!

The term Internet of Objects can be applied mainly to devices that are not expected to connect and communicate with the Internet independently of human intervention. For this reason, the computer, for example, is not considered one of the devices. But smartwatches or sports and health appliances and kitchen appliances make it onto this list.

The spread of this technique is due to two things:

1. Computer chips are developed with low price and high efficiency.
2. Wireless Internet service, which has become almost everywhere.

Benefits of using the Internet of Things?

• Communication, Automation, and Control

As we mentioned earlier, the idea of this technology is based on devices communicating with each other without human intervention. So that all points and devices belonging to one system are controlled in one central device. For example, currently, you can control your TV set through the panel for TV settings, as well as for each device separately, because each device works independently. But using the Internet of Things, you will control everything from one place, one network, one device.

• Information and Data Retrieval

The organs of your system collect the largest amount of information about you, and it goes without saying that the more information you have, the more likely you will be to make the right decisions. Whether it is a banal decision like your need to go shopping for food, or a life-threatening decision such as your need to replace worn-out brakes before you use your smart car.

• Time-Saving
  The technology will direct you to enter and exit the places you go and conduct your daily transactions on the basis of “saving time”. Instead of waiting for a line of cafes, the traffic lights on smart streets will direct you to take another, less crowded route because they know that your work starts at exactly eight o’clock.
• Saving Money
  A person may think that these facilities will return to us at exorbitant prices, and only the rich will be able to purchase them. However, this is a false belief! This may be true at first when you first purchase a product. However, in the long run, you will save a lot of money. For example, a single light bulb costs $ 3, but because of the inability to turn it on and off at the correct times always, the monthly bill will come relatively high. But with an intelligent lighting system, you will pay a one time price a little higher, but you will forget about it in the long run. As well as the rest of the devices that will consume the least amount of energy possible!
• Maintain health

The devices, sensors and mobile applications will monitor your health status (weight, blood pressure, heart rate), and direct you to the best diet you can eat accordingly. Doctors will also benefit from this technology by monitoring their patients’ improvement based on their prescriptions. For example, physiotherapists would obtain a daily report of patients’ responses to daily exercises. Hospitals will also be able to know the locations of medical devices such as wheelchairs, oxygen tubes (which will notify those responsible for them of the need to fill them based on the patient’s consumption). Finally, the congestion of public and private places with devices that communicate with each other using wireless technology will not have any negative impact on your health due to the vibrations and waves resulting from them.

The Most Famous Fields and Uses of the Internet of Things Technology

1. Smart Cities

Smart city projects are the core of the Internet of Things technology. Within thirty years — 2050 — smart cities will cover 60% of this world! Many American and European cities, such as New York, Singapore, and Paris, have begun to adopt smart city projects and implement them on the ground.

The benefits of smart city projects cannot be counted:

• Starting with the surveillance and eavesdropping cameras, which will greatly contribute to reducing crime.
• Environmental monitoring sensors, such as those used to estimate the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, will help us to know the sources of pollution and reduce them.
• Sensors controlling traffic lights based on the congestion of the streets to eliminate congestion problems.

As an example, AT&T in America implements infrastructure control projects such as bridges, highways and interiors, using the Internet of Things technology! Shanghai is also implementing VANET projects that enable cars in the streets to transmit information among themselves in the same street, such as an accident in the middle of the road.

2. Smart Homes

The fierce competition appears in this area between huge companies such as Google, Amazon, and Apple.

Our homes, offices and cars are expected to become smarter and more interactive. Smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home make things like playing music, setting an alarm, or even getting information very easy.

1. Home Security System, which facilitates the process of control and monitoring of everything going on around our homes and companies.
2. Smart Heaters, which can determine the ideal time to do their work based on the dates you arrive at home and your shower times.
3. Lamps and Smart Lighting Devices, which are considered one of the smartest energy savers as you can understand your sleep, wake up and nap times and work accordingly.
4. Smart Fridge, which can predict your favorite time to eat ice cream and automatically control the cooling temperature to get the best dining experience.

Why Need IoT?

There is no doubt that using these devices in homes is a luxury for people, but there are also two important reasons that make the Internet of Things crucial:

1. This technology will help the children to take care of the elderly in their homes, as this technology can provide the owners of the devices with daily reports on the residents of the house regarding their safety and physical health.

2. The technology of the Internet of things is one of the most important projects in the face of diminishing natural energy sources such as oil, gas and coal. This is because it realizes the optimum timing for working at full or low capacity depending on our daily use. This is evident in the simplest applications of the Internet when we compare the electricity consumption between regular light bulbs and smart bulbs.

Final Bottom

The streets of Dubai are getting smart, everywhere there are sensors to monitor congestion, the weather. Also, all homes in Dubai have become addressed in a smart electronic way, which made internal mobility very easy, and this benefits all residents, as police cars, ambulances, or firefighters do not need any time to know their target and this is for the sake of strengthening security and safety for all residents.

Finally, the Internet of things is no longer an impossible or a form of a scientific miracle but rather has become a reality being applied around the world.

What are the manifestations of the internet of things in your city? When do you expect it to be handled in your area? Share with us.