The Internet of things (IoT) refers to any Internet-enabled device that enables people to store, share, and transfer data with other electronic devices that uses embedded sensors. It consists of a giant network of connected devices ("things" or objects) that collect and share the most relevant data with users, based on real-time information, in order to help address specific needs of the consumer. The data are used to detect patterns, make recommendations, and identify possible problems before they occur. Examples of popular IoT devices found in "smart homes" include Apple's Smartwatch, Amazon's Echo, Google's Fitbit, and Google's Nest smart thermostat system.

Amazon's Alexa devices uses automatic speech recognition to perform these tasks

The Internet of things was coined in 1999 by Kevin Ashton, an Executive Director at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Ashton stated that:

“Today computers, and, therefore, the Internet, are almost wholly dependent on human beings for information. Nearly all of the data available on the Internet were first captured and created by human beings by typing, pressing a record button, taking a digital picture or scanning a barcode. If we had computers that knew everything there was to know about things, using data they gathered without any help from us, we would be able to track and count everything and greatly reduce waste, loss, and cost. We would know when things needed replacing, repairing, or recalling and whether they were fresh, or past their best.”

In 2002-2003, Walmart and the US Department of Defense (DoD) were the first large organizations to embrace Ashton’s model of tracking inventory using the Internet of things.

The IoT covers a very broad range of devices, including:

• Government agencies integrate IoT sensors for air quality monitoring by identifing pollutants.

• Smart microwaves that automatically cook food at the right temperature and for the right length of time.

• Smart traffic light systems are used to streamline traffic efficiency and public transportation based on variations in traffic conditions and traffic flows.

• Self-driving cars that use highly complex sensors to detect objects in their path.

• Wearable fitness devices that measure the number of steps the user has taken each day, their sleep patterns, and their heart rate. The data is then used to suggest bespoke exercise plans tailored to the needs of the user.

• Farmers use the IoT technologies to improve agricultural output and pest control. Data analytics is used to track soil moisture levels, climatic changes, and the health of plants in order to increase crop yields.

• Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) aligned with smartphone apps and computer hardware and software in motor vehicles.

• The Ring smart doorbell home security system is linked to the user's smartphone and lets homeowners know, irrespective of their location, when the doorbell is pressed, lets them see who it is, and to speak with them.

• Smartphones can be linked to countless apps that enable users to connect to their home appliances, such as smart lights, thermostats for heating (or air conditioning), home entertainment system, and home security systems; all of which can be operated remotely so long as there is an Internet connection.

The Ring doorbell is an example of the IoT

---

Businesses use IoT applications to improve their operational efficiency and productivity. For example, they use the IoT to record, monitor, and track customers’ spending habits, as well as enhance  supply chains, and improve stock management (inventory control). For example, a smart building - be it an office or a shopping mall - uses sensors and automated processes to control the building’s temperature (air conditioning or heating), ventilation, security systems, and lighting. The building's car park may use smart parking sensors to determine occupancy of the parking lot, which is communicated to motorists (such as indicated how many spaces are currently available, using red lights to show occupied spaces, and green lights to show where an empty lot is available for parking).

 To highlight the extensive use of the IoT in the modern home, watch this video clip based on the popular Christmas movie Home Alone that features the original main character played by Macaulay Culkin and Google Assistant (a virtual assistant software application).

---

To recap your understanding of this topic, watch this video featuring Harriet Green, head of the Internet of Things (IoT) at IBM.