Internet of Things and Its Level of Implementation

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Summary and Current Level of Implementation
Areas of Application
Challenges of Using IoT
Conclusion
References

Introduction

For the past few decades, technology has proven to be an impeccable part of human life in the personal and business world. Advancements in technology and internet use have led to the development of the Internet of Things (IoT). Technology has become one of the most critical technologies in the 21^st century. Internet users connect objects embedded to devices for various purposes every day. According to Nord et al. (2019), some of IoT are smart watches, traffic sensors, thermostats, routers, vehicle geolocators, and industry refrigerators. Various technologies, including sensors, connectivity, cloud computing platforms, machine learning and analytics, and conversational artificial intelligence, have enabled IoT deployment. This paper covers the IoT brief and its current level of implementation, its deployment, and areas of challenges during its application. Although IoT has proven to increase efficiency in human operations, it is still facing challenges that stall its level of implementation.

Summary and Current Level of Implementation

IoT is a name for a collection of devices linked to a network that makes human life easier. IoT is defined as a collection of tangible objects embedded with processing abilities, sensors, and software to connect and exchange data with other systems and devices using the internet and other communication networks (Martinez, 2021). These objects or things are used in communicating and informing. IoT is widely used by individuals or for personal use, industrial purposes, and government institutions (Martinez, 2021). Approximately 13.15 billion IoT devices are connected and the implementation level is expected to grow in the future (Martinez, 2021). IoT is important because it allows communication between people to deliver critical information remotely and help in other processes. IoT applies technologies such as cloud, big data, mobile, physical things, and analytics to collect and distribute data with reduced human interruption (Nord et al., 2019). The technology is suitable for human consumption because it eliminates the need for constant human interference.

IoT works by using an Internet Protocol (IP) which identifies computers or connections worldwide and permits communication with one another. It operates in a highly connected space where it can record, adjust, and monitor interactions across connected things for efficacy (Nord et al., 2019). The primary goal of using IoT is to have real-time reports, attain the information faster to the surface, and enhance efficiency than human intervention. The most crucial benefit of IoT is that it transforms a wide range of fields in the technological world. IoT exists in two forms; CIoT and IIoT where CIoT is used by individuals for personal use, while IIoT is effective for industrial use (Martinez, 2021). Depending on the type of device being used, individuals and industries attain improved operations and satisfaction through IoT.

IoT has attained five implementation levels ranging from level 1 to 5. Each level of implementation records improved functioning of the IoT devices for various consumers. Level 1 of IoT consists of data collection, temperature sensors, data control and analysis, and air conditioners (Nord et al., 2019). The sensing and analysis of data are performed locally while the monitoring and control are done using mobile apps or the web. Level 2 of IoT has similar components as Level 1 except for big data used for analysis (Nord et al., 2019). Level 3 has all the components of level 2 except for bigger data analysis and the cloud used for more analysis. Levels 4 and 5 have the same technologies as other levels but are more advanced.

Level 5 is the most recent implementation with multiple sensors and coordinator nodes. At this level, huge data are processed at a faster rate using many sensors (Nord et al., 2019). Data collection and analysis are done at the cloud level, and mobile or web app control is done. The need for efficiency and minimal human intervention has significantly influenced the increase in adoption.

Areas of Application

Healthcare

IoT is deployed in many areas, and healthcare is one of them. In this section, patients use devices that allow doctors to monitor their health remotely and in real-time. IoT devices fitted with sensors are deployed for real-time tracking of medical equipment such as nebulizers, defibrillators, oxygen bumps, and wheelchairs (Martinez, 2021). Telemedicine devices are often deployed to streamline patient medical history, research, optimize medicine manufacturing processes in pharmaceuticals, deliver medicine, and monitor patients glucose levels.

Wearables

Apple, Google, and Samsung are among the companies that have designed consumer wearables to use in daily life. These wearables include GPS-tracking belts, fitness bands, calorie-monitoring watches, and virtual glasses to improve the users life (Nord et al., 2019). The devices are fitted with software for monitoring and collecting data, sensors, and hardware for measurements and analysis of the users (Nord et al., 2019). The devices can transmit and report real-time information about the user body and immediate environment, thus helping them to make well-informed decisions.

Agriculture

IoT enables smart farms by offering farmers access to detailed information about the condition of the soil. Farming efficiency is critically based on the farmers knowledge of the soil. IoT in agriculture is used in drones, sensors, computer imaging, and robots to monitor farms (Nord et al., 2019). The farmer can attain details such as soil acidity, moisture, amount of nutrients in soil, chemicals, and temperatures. This information helps to control the irrigation process, know the best time for sowing, discover the presence of diseases in soil and plants, and properly use water.

Traffic Monitoring

IoT also manages road traffic in large cities, making movement effective. IoT optimizes vehicles on the road or the routes they use to maintain costs and save fuel (Martinez, 2021). The IoT helps in monitoring and showing the conditions of various traffic routes. That way, mobile users remain informed through access to real-time data while accessing different routes. Henceforth, drivers can navigate through roads with minimal traffic, covering smaller distances and arriving at their destinations in an estimated time.

Fleet Management

IoT enables fleet management by installing vehicle sensors that allow interconnectivity between vehicles, managers, and drivers. According to Martinez (2021), through data collected by IoT sensors, drivers and fleet managers can make the right decisions. The driver and the car manager can always learn about the vehicles status. All vehicles are installed with software that collects and analyzes important data about the status and needs of the vehicle. IoT enables geolocation, performance analysis, vehicle driving improvement practices, reduction of environmental pollution, and telemetry control and fuel savings (Munro, 2019). Indeed, drivers can receive real-time alarms for vehicle maintenance needs.

Hospitality

Deployment of IoT in the hotel industry avails significant improvements in the quality of service delivered. For example, electronic keys are sent to the guests mobile phone, thus enabling automated locking and unlocking of hotel entrances and easy interactions (Munro, 2019). In restaurants, IoT makes the location of guests possible and the efficacy of room services (Munro, 2019). Using electronic keys the guest check-outs are automated, the restaurant management can attain information regarding vacant rooms immediately, and assign housekeepers for maintenance operations.

Challenges of Using IoT

Connectivity

Connectivity is the backbone of IoT, and without proper connectivity, the devices are everyday items of no use. Many IoT users complain about poor connectivity of devices due to slowness and other connectivity delays (Martinez, 2021). IoT uses a small bandwidth which with increased implementation causes problems with connectivity (Martinez, 2021). The current server-client model uses a centralized server to authenticate and direct traffic to the technology networks.

Cyber Security Threat

IoT devices expand the surface of cyber security attacks due to increased potential areas of attack. Cybercriminals are now using the increased surface of technology to attack various IoT users (Munro, 2019). The criminals may lack immediate access to IoT devices to reach sensitive information but could use many of the security vulnerabilities in this technology to attack. For example, most IoT items have default passwords through which the attackers can access critical information (Munro, 2019). Research indicates that cybercriminals have used home thermostats and baby monitors to access the rest of users technologies (Munro, 2019). Although efficient, IoT opens an additional door of technological vulnerability for users.

Compatibility

The limitation in using most wearables is that they are only compatible with a certain model of devices. For example, Apple watches can only work with Apple devices, thus limiting Android users from access. Home mesh networks are other sources of compatibility problems. Bluetooth is one of the models highly compatible with IoT networks. IoT proves difficult to use some hardware and software from different makers without changing their functionality (Nord et al., 2019). These are among other compatibility challenges often caused by competitors of IoT networks.

Government Regulation

Most governments have yet to adopt a regulation for IoT, increasing the chances of security threats. Government regulating institutions take a long to catch up with technological trends. With the rapid evolution of IoT today, the government has yet to develop a regulation that will limit the use of IoT and the possibility of cyber threats (Munro, 2019). Security threats such as ransomware, social engineering, and distributed denial of service are frequent with IoT (Martinez, 2021). Cybercriminals can easily access users information if the IoT is connected to the internet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Internet of Things has proven effective by boosting the efficacy of human operations while requiring minimal human intervention. IoT has significantly changed how individuals, businesspeople, and industry operators work. The technology has proven applicable in a wide range of sectors and industries. Indeed, billions of IoT devices are already in use, and more are expected to be applied in the future. As the world grows dependent on technological advancement, IoT-based organizations are working to avail the technologies daily. The ongoing advancement in technology is expected to improve the functioning of IoT. For now, IoT faces serious challenges of cybersecurity threats, connectivity, and compatibility among others. Although these challenges prevent a large number of potential users from accessing the technology, advancement in technology is expected to resolve them, thus increasing the level of implementation in the world.

References

Martinez, G. (2021). IoT: Beyond the smart gadgets [Video]. TED. Web.

Munro, K. (2019). Internet of Things security [Video]. TED. Web.

Nord, J. H., Koohang, A., & Paliszkiewicz, J. (2019). The Internet of Things: Review and theoretical framework. Expert Systems with Applications, 133, 97-108. Web.

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