What the heck is the IoT, REALLY?
A better understanding of what the IoT really means will come from defining how it integrates into our daily lives.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is best defined as the trifecta of Hardware, Software, and Data, coupled with how they create value in our lives.
Things: Wearables, Smartphones, Smart Appliances, Smart Home systems and all the peripherals, that are all connected to the internet or to other hardware.
Essentially, as devices, hardware, software, and other defined “Things” are embedded with sensors and other data gathering technologies, this data is used to create connected solutions that will make our everyday lives Smart, Predictable and Programmable (SPP). The culmination of all of this Data + Things are what make up “The Internet of Things.”
The IoT is an E-CoSystem
Electronic Connected System~MD Jackson
As we begin to make “Things” intelligent (smart), we find that much like the human body, the essentials must be in sync for everything to work seemlessly. The better we become at leveraging and translating the data gathered by the IoT, the more we begin to understand just what the IoT really is.
Just as planet has an ecosystem that must work flawlessly — without external invasion from viruses and disease — in order to remain viable enough to sustain life, so must the IoT Ecosystem. And since the Internet was never designed with IoT in mind, the predicable pathways for networks and information exchange must be altered to accommodate this new IoT Ecosystem.
However, most Things may not connect directly to the Internet, but instead, use short-range protocols and wireless transmissions to a local device, which will act as a decipher or gateway. When necessary, Things that require an internet connection will be assigned IP addresses.
How the IoT Ecosystem Works
The truest IoT EcoSystems will need intelligence baked into its core that will allow the management of complex device interrelationships built upon robust “IF-THEN-ELSE” logic.
For example: A “Smart Home” system that controlled window shades, would start off with a simple programming logic statement like this:
|“IF” the sun is shining “THEN” lower the shades.
This is only one example of how the IoT could impact our day-to-day interactions through the automation of domestic-use Things and events — but IoT will not be that simple.
As more Things are added to this device interrelationship equation, simple logic turns into complex logic and the programming becomes more in-depth, such as this:
|“IF” the sun is shining “AND” the day of the week is Saturday “OR” Sunday, “THEN” lower the shades “AND” lower the ringer on the house phone to its lowest capability “ELSE”do nothing.|
The key to smart IoT integration into our everyday lives for practical application will be derived by thinking through multiple, sequenced events that state IF “Action” THEN “Action” ELSE/OR/AND “Action”. Essentially, Boolean logic will be reborn and critical thinking will be a required competency of innovators in the IoT space.
Where IoT is Headed
As the miniaturization and innovation of data gathering technologies expands, an increase in the creation of even more mobile, virtual, and instantaneous invasions will creep into our lives. And, as wearables become more common place, even people will become part of the IoT, as Things.
Many innovation experts have begun to argue about the privacy invasion dilemma presented by expansion of the IoT; however, no argument has been strong enough to stop IoT’s forward progress.
The revolutionary aspect to all of this is the reduced requirement for human intervention in decision making.
And as more and more Things are introduced into our personal programmable IoT EcoSystems; access to the data these Things collect will command high premiums — across countless industries — while simultaneously raising an entire new round of security and privacy concerns. But that’s a whole other article on the “IoT’s encroachment medley later…
Marilyn D. Jackson is considered one of the leading technology forecasters and innovation experts, and is CEO of UnderGrid Networks, Inc. and Founder of Women in Mobility.
