Popular Applications for the Internet of Things

There are currently billions of interconnected devices communicating with each other over the internet. These devices are constantly gathering information about their environments, and analyzing the data to help make informed decisions or to automate actions. The Internet of Things (IoT) is made up of a wide-range of devices that can be used for various applications. The applications listed below are only a few of the many possibilities for these devices.

Smart Home

The concept of the smart home has generated a lot of attention for the IoT. Smart home devices can help automate your life at home to make everyday things more convenient. Smart outlets can automatically turn devices on/off, monitor power consumption, and create schedules for devices. Smart thermostats can adjust the temperature automatically, create schedules for the temperature at day and night, and can adjust the temperature when you are home or away. These are just a couple of the devices being designed to help improve the at-home experience.

Smart City

The possibilities for smart cities are endless. The IoT can be used to help manage traffic, monitor water distribution, manage energy usage, or even monitor the environment. The implementation of sensors within cities can help alleviate a lot of major problems that cities are facing, as well as help create more environmentally friendly cities.

Wearable Technology

Wearable technologies are able to collect information about the user. These technologies are equipped with sensors and software capable of monitoring your body for fitness or health purposes. Devices such as smart watches or smart glasses are currently very popular IoT wearable devices.

Energy Management

The IoT has become increasingly popular as a means for monitoring power grids. Smart grids collect information about electricity suppliers, as well as the behavior of consumers. This information is used to improve the efficiency of power grids and to help reduce energy usage. Additionally, these grids can detect power outages quickly, making it easier to get power back when it goes out.

Connected Vehicles

The use of interconnected devices in the automation industry is progressing more slowly in comparison to in the other industries listed above. However, many car manufacturers and other technology companies are working hard to develop smart cars and self-driving vehicles. This industry has a lot of potential for growth and will likely take large steps forward in the coming years.

These examples only scratch the surface in terms of the capabilities and other potential applications for the IoT. The ability to accurately monitor environments through these connected devices and networks holds a lot of value for many different types of applications. The amount of connect devices is growing more and more every year, which means there will be more innovative solutions coming in the near future.