Internet of Things (IoT) and various Internet of Things technologies such as Bluetooth Low Energy, RFID, proximity Sensors, Smart lighting, Smart healthcare, etc. are paving the way for a paradigm shift in home and business digitalization. Businesses need to implement new ways to collect data and ensure better insights into business processes. The use of BLE in wearables and the use of BLE beacons in retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and offices allow automation in large-scale data collection and data utilization. Various IoT sensors, internet technologies, and gateways enable easy data transmission, collection, and automated data storing which leads to better customer experience in retail stores, better healthcare services, item identification and tracking, better access control and security, etc.
BLE and RFID are the two most popular IoT technologies that allow for large-scale automation in supply chains and logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare. RFID tags can be attached to items and pallets and encoded with relevant item details to allow quick and accurate data capture and identification. Various wearable devices use BLE and sensors such as heart rate monitoring, Oxygen level indicator, and blood glucose to provide continuous and remote monitoring of people’s health vitals. Since BLE technology is also compatible with smartphones and tablets, consumers can sync the data with their smartphones to keep tabs on their health.
IoT as a technological advancement has become one of the main drivers behind the fourth industrial revolution, allowing unprecedented levels of data utilization for better reports and insights. So, let’s see what IoT is and what are the top 30 interesting facts about the Internet of Things (IoT).
What is the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things is a combination of new wireless technologies, sensors, internet technology wireless standards, gateways, and smart devices such as smartphones and tablets to allow data sharing and communication between two physical objects over the internet.
Since the early 2000s, IoT has witnessed unprecedented development and has become the internet of everything, with over 15B IoT devices worldwide at present.
Top 30 Interesting Facts about the Internet of Things (IoT)
Here are the top 30 interesting facts about the Internet of Things and how it is the driving force in modern times:
1. The term "Internet of Things" (IoT) was coined by Kevin Ashton in 1999, referring to the concept of connecting physical devices to the Internet to enable them to communicate and interact with each other.
2. The number of IoT devices is predicted to reach 75.4 billion by 2025, up from 30.7 Billion IoT devices in 2020 globally, generating trillions of dollars in economic value.
3. IoT sensors can be found in a wide range of applications, including agriculture, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and smart homes.
4. In agriculture, IoT sensors can monitor soil moisture levels, temperature, and humidity amongst other environmental parameters, thus helping farmers optimize their irrigation plans and improve crop yields. In areas affected with water scarcity, IoT technology and sensors help farmers save water as well.
5. IoT sensors are used in healthcare to monitor patients remotely, track vital signs, and alert healthcare providers in case of emergencies. The use of BLE technology and sensors in this regard is one such great example.
6. Various IoT technologies and sensors in transportation enable real-time tracking of vehicles, optimize routes, and improve fuel efficiency. Various Internet of Things features are increasingly becoming the inherent part of new vehicles coming to the market with IoT music systems, advanced gears and reverse parking, proximity sensors, smart indoor lighting and even automated driving features.
7. In the manufacturing industry, IoT sensors are used to monitor equipment performance, predict maintenance needs, and optimize production processes. Various IoT sensors can accurately monitor strain, stress, temperature, humidity, etc. which prevents accidental breakdowns of machinery and saves workers from accidents.
8. IoT sensors can also be found in smart homes, allowing homeowners to control lighting, temperature, security systems, and appliances remotely. IoT-based access control systems allow for remote monitoring of home security measures.
9. IoT sensors can help reduce energy consumption by monitoring and optimizing energy usage in buildings. Various IoT sensors and low power wide area networks can allow correct metering and billing of power and other utilities.
10. IoT sensors and devices can be deployed in cities to monitor air quality, detect noise levels, and manage traffic flow.
11. IoT sensors are used in logistics and supply chain management to track inventory, monitor shipments, and optimize warehouse operations.
12. IoT sensors can be utilized in retail to track customer behavior and personalize shopping experiences for the customers.IoT can also optimize inventory management and reduce 'OUT OF STOCK' scenarios. BLE PAwR (Periodic Advertisement with Response) allows for proximity-based advertisement in retail stores, which enhances customer experience and leads to better sales and profits.
13. IoT sensors can assist in waste management by monitoring trash levels in bins and optimizing collection routes. RFID chipless sensors are a cost-effective way to implement waste management measures in cities and urban centers.
14. IoT sensors can be used in smart grids to monitor energy distribution, detect power outages, and optimize energy usage.
15. IoT sensors can monitor water quality in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, helping to ensure safe drinking water for communities.
16. IoT sensors are used in asset tracking, allowing businesses to find and manage valuable assets in real-time. In IT companies, IoT allows for efficient attendance management and IT asset tracking.
17. IoT sensors can monitor structural integrity in buildings and bridges, detecting potential issues and helping to prevent accidents.
18. IoT sensors can be deployed in parking lots to monitor available spaces and guide drivers to empty spots. The use of RFID windshield tags ensures better parking management, prevents theft, and ensures optimum space utilization in parking facilities.
19. IoT sensors are used in sports to track performance data, monitor player health, and enhance training programs. IoT can also enable better crowd management at sports events in terms of seating arrangements, ticketing, and sports merchandise shopping.
20. IoT sensors can be found in wearable devices, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, enabling individuals to monitor their health and activity levels. Remote monitoring of patients is also possible with IoT.
21. IoT sensors can detect and report environmental hazards, such as leaks, fires, and chemical spills, improving safety in industrial settings.
22. IoT sensors can be used in smart farming to monitor livestock health, track animal behavior, and optimize feeding schedules. The use of RFID, BLE, and LPWANS allows wide-range animal tracking and livestock management at low costs.
23. IoT sensors can monitor air quality indoors, helping to detect pollutants and improve indoor environments. The use of RFID chipless sensors can also enable the detection of toxic gases.
24. IoT sensors are used in weather forecasting, collecting data on temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure to improve accuracy.
25. IoT sensors can monitor water levels in rivers, dams, and reservoirs, helping to manage water resources efficiently. It can also ensure better security measures in case of flooding and other natural disasters.
26. IoT sensors can be utilized in fleet management to track vehicles, optimize routes, and monitor fuel consumption. In the supply chains and logistics industry, the use of GPS, UWB, and RFID allows for enhanced order fulfillment through real-time order tracking.
27. IoT sensors can assist in disaster management by detecting earthquakes, floods, or other natural disasters, and providing real-time alerts.
28. IoT sensors can monitor noise levels in urban areas, helping to identify noise pollution hotspots and implement mitigation measures.
29. IoT sensors can be used in wildlife conservation to track animal movements, monitor habitats, and detect poaching activities.
30. The Internet of Things, as a concept evolved from machine-to-machine communications (M2M), and IoT sensors are continuously evolving and being integrated into new applications. This revolutionizes various industries and improves efficiency, productivity, and quality of life.
To summarize, the Internet of Things is rapidly growing in terms of market value and no. of IoT devices being used. Various IoT sensors find great applications in retail, healthcare, manufacturing, industries, supply chain, logistics, etc. enabling asset identification, real-time tracking, and higher degree of productivity in businesses.
Read more: 50 Interesting Facts about RFID technology
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