IoT Applications in Agriculture, Healthcare, and Beyond
Key Takeaways
The Internet of Things is a platform where embedded devices are connected to each other through the internet.
Farms use IoT to check the quality of soil, produce healthy crops, and remove weeds.
The real-time monitoring of patients using IoT sensors helps determine whether the patient’s condition is deteriorating or stabilized.
IoT is arguably the most influential technology of the 21st century
The Internet of Things (IoT) minimizes the need for human interaction in machine operation. Applied IoT links devices, vehicles, and appliances over the internet. Data is collected from linked devices and shared without the need for human interaction. Analyzing the data collected, the operation or functionality can be decided by the device itself.
There are many IoT applications that play a role in our daily lives: coffee vending machines, laptops, smartphones, and smartwatches are all examples of these devices. These devices are equipped with internet connectivity and sensors to enable IoT-based activity. In this article, we will explore how IoT is applied and how these applications support technological advancements.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things is a platform where embedded devices are connected to each other through the internet. Sensors, software, and other technologies are utilized for the collection and exchange of data with other linked devices and systems. Many devices are connected over the internet, from household applications to modern industrial tools.
IoT is arguably the most influential technology of the 21st century. It is the source enabling seamless communication between things, processes, and humans. With the advanced technology of low-cost computing, data analysis, and other mobile technologies, multiple devices can connect and data can be collected and shared without manual work. IoT essentially removes the barrier between the digital world and the physical world. Through digital technologies and systems, IoT actions are completed and interactions are adjusted between connected devices.
Enabling Technologies in IoT
The concept of IoT is realized with the support of several technologies, including:
- Connectivity - Internet connectivity is necessary and essential to establish an IoT platform. Network protocols for the internet make it easy for connected things to transfer data efficiently.
- Low-cost, low-power sensor technology - Sensor technology collects data. Advancements in sensor technology make it more reliable and affordable.
- Cloud computing - Cloud computing helps businesses scale without the need to physically manage the infrastructure for expansion. Data collected from sensors is stored in the cloud server for predictive analysis.
- Machine learning and data analytics - New machine learning techniques and data analytics provide insights from the data collected and stored in the cloud.
- Artificial intelligence - Natural language processing (NLP) used in IoT is enabled by developments in neural networks. Artificial intelligence plays a role in establishing viable IoT applications.
IoT Applications
Here are a few key IoT applications to know of:
Agriculture
Smart farms use IoT to check the quality of soil, produce healthy crops, and remove weeds. IoT sensors help collect significant data related to soil moisture content, nutrients present, acid levels, and temperature. With this information, it is possible to properly manage irrigation and fertilization. IoT also helps farmers select the best time to sow seeds, detect plant diseases, and choose the best kind of fertilizer to use.
Health Care
Doctors monitor patients with the help of wearables or sensors. Vital metrics can be monitored continuously using IoT systems. Additionally, wait time for hospital beds can be minimized by installing smart beds. Medical device breakdown, repair, and maintenance can also be managed using IoT sensors. Comfort in geriatric healthcare is also possible with the inclusion of IoT systems. The real-time monitoring of patients using IoT sensors helps in determining whether the patient’s condition is deteriorating or stabilized.
Industry
Industrial IoT is part of what inspired the fourth wave of the industrial revolution. IoT-enabled sensors have the ability to extend the shelf life of machines used in factories. An increased level of availability and reliability can be ensured with industrial IoT. Factories are moving towards computerized maintenance management systems and enterprise asset management to include IoT applications in maintenance and resource management.
Industry IoT applications establish optimal machine health through predictive care. The cost saved by introducing condition-based maintenance in industries is another advantage of IoT applications.
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