The Internet of Things (Iot) is quickly becoming a popular conversation both in our lives and work places. One of the main reasons it is receiving much hype is the promise it holds of impacting on how we live, as well as how we work. While it is an important topic, many still do not understand the concept well enough.
What is IoT?
The continued and sustained technological advancements and innovations being witnessed in the modern world mean that more and more people now have access to the internet. This has led to a decrease in technological costs, more devices being built with sensors on them, and more people being able to access smartphones.
This means that IoT companies can be able to develop technology that enables smart devices to connect and communicate with each other. For example, you may set your alarm clock to wake you up at 6 a.m., and then it will be able to notify your coffee maker to start brewing your coffee. Another scenario would be using the Internet of Things to create some sort of “smart cities” to improve how people live and work in urban areas. It is thus EVIDENT that the concept of Internet of Things holds numerous and endless opportunities to impact on how people live and work.
What challenges does IoT Face?
As with any new technology, there will always be challenges. One of the main challenges that seems to face the Internet of Things is SECURITY. Since IoT allows billions of devices to be connected together, those who want to use it are presented with a challenge of how to keep their information safe. With incidences of hacking ever-increasing, it is only logical that customers worry about private information being in the preying eyes of hackers.
Another major challenge facing IoT companies is the now sensitive issue of privacy and sharing of data. While IoT aims to make our lives easier, it will be hard to see which kind of information users will allow these devices to access. IoT companies will also be faced with the challenge of how they will be able to gather, store, analyse and track the huge amount of data that will be generated by these devices.
What does the future hold then for IoT?
This is a conservation that has been taking place for several years now. IoT seems to have massive promise on how it can positively impact on our lives. In fact, transition to IoT is already happening, but at a slow pace. Some of the top companies that are already using it are DHL, Intel, Microsoft Corporation, Hewlett Packard and IBM among many others. It has also been used in designing and building “smart cities” such as Chicago. Some of the benefits this concept has yielded include easing traffic congestion, improving the quality of air, easing access to services, energy efficient buildings, clean water, and better waste management among other numerous benefits.
