International Journal of Computer Science and Mathematical Theory ISSN 2545-5699 Vol. 4 No.

2 2018
www.iiardpub.org

Internet of Things and Its Applications

Oforji, Jerome C. & Oju, Onuoha

Department of Computer Science,
Abia State Polytechnic,
Aba
[email protected]

Abstract
The broadband Internet is becoming more extensively accessible and the cost of connecting
to it is also declining. New devices are being developed with Wi-Fi and sensors potentiality.
Technology costs are also decreasing and the smartphone access is escalating. The entirety
of these things is generating a perfect scenario for the Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
This paper therefore, discusses Internet of Things (IoT) technology, its advantages and
applications to the society. It also made some recommendations for individuals,
organizations and industries to align themselves to the IoT technology in order to tap into its
benefits that will help ease their everyday routine activities.

Keywords: Devices; Internet of Things; Interconnectivity; Smart environment; Technology

Introduction
The internet is gradually encompassing our everyday life. Virtually every of our daily
activities have a branch or tap on the internet. Several billions of people are now connected to
the internet and many more are connecting themselves to it. This has resulted into a world of
interconnectivity and smart environment. All our things are now internet based and we now
have smart things.

The Internet of things (IoT) is the network of physical and tangible devices, vehicles, home
and office appliances and other objects integrated with electronics, software, sensors,
actuators, and connectivity that make these objects able to connect and exchange data
(Brown, 2016). Everything is distinctively recognizable using its embedded computing
system but is capable to inter-operate inside the existing Internet infrastructure. It is also a
system of interconnected computing devices, both mechanical and digital machines, items,
animals or individuals that are issued with identifiers that are unique to the bearer and have
the capability to transmit data over a network devoid of human-to-human or human-to-
computer interaction (Rouse, 2016).

Components of Internet of Things

Internet of Things (IoT) is the idea of primarily linking any device with an “ON” and “OFF”
control to the Internet (and/or to each other). This includes everything like cell phones, wrist
watches, eye glasses coffee makers, washing machines, dish washers, headphones, lamps,
wearable devices and almost everything else one can think, which include also parts of
devices (Jacob, 2014). Extensively, the term IoT covers everything that are connected to the
internet, however, it is more and more being used to describe objects that communicate with
each other (Matt, 2018). The Internet of Things, or IoT, deals with billions of
substantial/physical devices in the world that are currently connected to the internet and
collect and share data. Internet of Things (IoT) is primarily used for devices that would not
typically be normally likely to have an internet connection, which can communicate with the

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network autonomously of human intervention and actions. A PC and a smartphone, because

of the above reason are not normally regarded as IoT devices but a smart watch or a fitness
band may be regarded as an IoT device (Steve, 2018).

The “Thing” in the Internet of Things, can be a person that has a heart monitor implant, blood
pressure monitor implant, a domestic animal with a biochip transponder, a car that has built-
in sensors to alert the driver when tire under inflated or over inflated, or any other object that
can be assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address and enhanced the capability to transmit data
over a network. The IoT has developed from the merging of wireless technologies, micro-
electromechanical systems (MEMS), micro services and the internet. This merging has aided
to break down the tall walls between operational technology (OT) and information
technology (IT), thus, giving access to unstructured machine-generated data to be studied for
understanding that will trigger advancements (Rouse, 2016).

The Internet of Things (IoT) was originally offered at the last part of the last century and is
gaining grounds in recent times in several fields of technology. Currently, IoT is enabling
many applications and services in academic and industrial disciplines spanning from
environment to healthcare and medical fields (Al-Turjman, 2016).
Smart Phones, smart toasters, connected rectal thermometers and fitness collars for dogs are
presently several of the everyday items being connected to the web as component of the
Internet of Things (IoT). Connected devices and objects in industries present the prospect for
a “fourth industrial revolution”, and experts forecast that more than half of emerging
businesses will run on the IoT by 2020 (Matt, 2018).

Fig. 1: Diagram depicting Internet of Things (IoT).

Source: http://www.wired.co.uk/article/internet-of-things-what-is-explained-iot

Characteristics of Internet of Things (IoT)

According to Tarun (2015), the characteristics of Internet of Things include artificial
intelligence, active engagement, connectivity, sensors and the use of small devices.
AI – Internet of things mostly makes nearly everything “smart”. This implies that it improves
all components of life with the influence of networks, data collection, and artificial
intelligence algorithms.

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Small Devices – Devices as expected have developed into reduced, cheap, and more
powerful ultimately. Internet of Things utilizes purpose-constructed small devices to bring its
precision, versatility and scalability.

Sensors – Internet of Things drops its distinction in the absence of sensors. Sensors work as
key tool which transform IoT from a standard passive network of devices into an active
system efficient by real-world integration.

Connectivity –Networks can take place on a lot reduced and lesser scale while still being
practical. IoT produce these little networks between its system devices.

Active Engagement – These days, communication with related technology occurs through
passive engagement. IoT offers a new prototype for active products, content, or service
engagement.

Advantages of Internet of Things (IoT)

There are several advantages of Internet of Things (IoT) and according to Tommy (2017),
these advantages include:
 Communication: IoT motivates the communication between devices, which is also
referred as Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication. The physical devices are
able to remain connected and consequently, the entire transparency is accessible with
less significant inefficiencies and better value.

 Automation and Control: As a result of the physical things being digitally and
centrally connected and controlled with wireless infrastructure, there is a great deal of
automation and control in their operations. The machines are also able to
communicate with each other in the absence of human intervention leading to faster
and timely output.

 Information: It is evident that with more information, better decisions are made.
Knowledge is power and therefore, more knowledge is better.

 Monitor: Another essential advantage of IoT is monitoring. Monitoring expiration of

products, printer ink level, and room temperature can aid in improving life and reduce
stress.

 Time: The amount of time conserved due to IoT can be pretty much. In today’s
contemporary world, time is very precious and we cannot do without time.

 Money: The major benefit of IoT is reducing cost. If the cost of the tagging and
monitoring device is lesser than the money saved, then Internet of Things will be
generally embraced. IoT essentially happens to be very supportive to individuals in
their everyday routines. This is by designing the devices to communicate to each other
in an efficient way, thus, conserving cost and energy. Enabling data to be
communicated and distributed among devices and then translating it into our required
mode, makes the systems efficient.

 Automation of daily tasks leads to enhanced monitoring of devices: IoT enables

you to automate and control the tasks that are done every day, without human
interference. Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication helps to sustain precision
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in the operations. It also leads to consistency in the tasks done. It also maintains the
quality of service. It can also enable us to take necessary action should any emergency
arises.

 Improved Quality of Life: Every applications of the IoT technology climaxes in

better comfort, ease, and enhanced management, as a result, improving the quality of
life.

Areas of Applications

Fig. 2: Internet of Things (IoT) Applications

Source: https://www.elprocus.com/future-technology-internet-of-things/

According to Tarun (2015), Swati (2016) and Tommy (2017), there are several Internet of
Things (IoT) applications as it touches every aspect of our lives, and they include;
 Building & Home Automation: From security improvement to declining costs of
energy and maintenance, several companies presents an extensive variety of
sophisticated IoT technologies for smart homes and intelligent buildings control and
monitoring.

 Smart Cities: Reducing the charge and resource utilization of IoT products for
surveillance, lighting, centralized and also integrated and access system control.

 Wearable’s: With the widest range in the industry, IoT offers very proficient low
power solutions for the wearable’s market. Theses wearable’s solutions include;
Entertainment, Fitness, Smart Watch, Location and Tracking

 Health care: Several industries are modelling technology to improve the ease of
access and the worth of digital products that are changing the health and fitness
industries.

 Smart Manufacturing: The advantages of many industrial IoT products consist of

tools, software and hardware that simplify and hasten design time for the ensuing

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smart developed application.

 Automotive: From headlights to the rear lights and all systems in the automotive
compartment, various industries present an ample array of advanced technologies for
the modern automobile.

 Smart Environment: Detecting pollution and natural disaster is an very significant

application of IoT. Emissions from vehicles and factories can be monitored to reduce
air pollution. Release of dangerous chemicals and wastes into rivers or sea can be
monitored. By doing so, curtailing water pollution and its effects. Others include;
keeping touch on the quality of our drinking water, getting warnings for earthquakes
and tsunamis, keeping surveillance of water levels of dams and rivers to prevent flood
and detecting forest fire.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The "Internet of things" (IoT) is turning into a more and more increasing subject of
discussion in the places of work, business organizations, entertainment and other places. It is
a perception that has the capacity to influence both how we live and also how we work. Every
modern technology encounters several challenges in its early stage of life but eventually
overcomes them. Internet of Things (IoT) also presents various critical difficulties, which
requires to be tackled effectively so as to exploit its complete potential. The Internet of
Things (IoT) is also changing the way companies, business organizations, industries, end-
users and consumers go about their daily routine across the globe. The IoT technology that
underlies this whole piece is developing rapidly and it is very vital that we strike on the exact
spots to in order to make this technology work the best for everyone.

With all the abundant benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT) in various facets of our lives, it
is however recommended that individuals, corporate organizations, industries should key in
to the streamline of the fast developing technology. People and industries should also be
encouraged to use this technology so as to tap into its amazing benefit and ease their daily
routines and work.

References
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