What is IoT?
The Internet of things (IoT) describes physical objects with
sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies that connect and
exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet or other
communications networks. The Internet of things has been considered a misnomer
because devices do not need to be connected to a network and be individually
addressable.
The field has evolved due to the convergence of multiple
technologies, including ubiquitous computing, commodity sensors, increasingly
powerful embedded systems, and machine learning. Traditional fields of embedded
systems, wireless sensor networks, control systems, and automation (including home
and building automation), independently and collectively enable the internet of
things. In the consumer market, IoT technology is most synonymous with products
pertaining to the concept of the “smart home”, including devices and appliances (such
as lighting fixtures, thermostats, home security systems, cameras, and other
home appliances) that support one or more common ecosystems, and can be
controlled via devices associated with that ecosystem, such as smartphones and smart
speakers. IoT is also used in health care systems. There is a number of concerns
about the risk in the growth of IoT technologies and products, especially in the
areas of privacy and security, and consequently, industry and governmental
moves to address these concerns have begun, including the development of
international and local standards, guidelines, and regulatory frameworks.
How IoT
is used?
The extended portion of IoT devices is created for
consumer use, including connected vehicles, home automation, which can include
lighting, heating, and air conditioning, media and security systems, and camera
systems. Long-term benefits could include energy savings by automatically
ensuring lights and electronics are turned off or by making the residents in
the home aware of usage. A smart home or automated home could be based on a
platform or hubs that control smart devices and appliances. For instance, using
Apple's HomeKit, manufacturers can have their home products and accessories
controlled by an application on iOS devices such as the iPhone and the Apple
Watch. This could be a dedicated app or iOS native applications such as Siri.
This can be demonstrated in the case of Lenovo's Smart Home Essentials, which
is a line of smart home devices that are controlled through Apple's Home app or
Siri without the need for a Wi-Fi bridge.
There are also dedicated smart home hubs that are offered as
standalone platforms to connect different smart home products and these include
the Amazon Echo, Google Home, Apple's Home Pod, and Samsung's SmartThings Hub.
In addition to the commercial systems, there are many non-proprietary,
open-source ecosystems; including Home Assistant, OpenHAB, and Domoticz.
How IoT
is useful in Medical science and healthcare?
The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is an application of
the IoT for medical health-related purposes, data collection, and analysis for
research and monitoring. The IoMT has been referenced as “Smart Healthcare”, as
the technology for creating a digitized healthcare system, connecting available
medical resources and healthcare services. IoT devices can be used to enable
remote health monitoring and emergency notification systems. These health
monitoring devices can range from blood pressure and heart rate monitors to
advanced devices capable of monitoring specialized implants, such as pacemakers,
Fitbit electronic wristbands, or advanced hearing aids. Some hospitals have
begun implementing “ smart beds” that can detect when they are occupied and
when a patient is attempting to get up. It can also adjust itself to ensure
appropriate pressure and support are applied to the patient without the manual
interaction of nurses. A 2015 Goldman Sachs report indicated that healthcare
IoT devices “can save the United States more than $300 billion in annual
healthcare expenditures by increasing revenue and decreasing cost. “ Moreover,
the use of mobile devices to support medical follow-up led to the creation of
m-health, which used analyzed health statistics.