What benefits will IoT bring to us, in what fields is it used, and how will it develop in the future? In this article, we will introduce examples of IoT use in different fields.
What is IoT?
IoT is a mechanism that enables things to be recognized, measured, and controlled remotely by connecting them to the Internet and exchanging information. It is an acronym of “Internet of Things” and is often translated as “Internet of Things” in Japanese.
Benefits of IoT
What kind of convenience and usefulness will the widespread use of IoT bring? Let’s take a look at the benefits for users and companies.
1. Improved user convenience
IoT home appliances and smart houses that are already in practical use are accepted by users as convenient products. Representative examples include network cameras and door lock systems that can be remotely controlled from a smartphone while away from home, and air conditioners that automatically adjust to the optimum temperature according to the resident’s preferences, lifestyle rhythm, season, and changes in the outside air temperature.
As IoT becomes more widespread in society, it is thought that the manufacturing industry will become more like a service industry. For example, if a product has a defect, that information will be sent to the manufacturer, so that appropriate measures can be taken immediately.
For users, it is like receiving real-time, almost automated after-sales service or support. It is also possible to imagine a system in which parts are automatically delivered and replenished before consumable parts stop functioning. It will also be possible to realize services that allow users to ask questions about how to use the product through the product and receive advice and suggestions.
2. Corporate efficiency and cost reduction
IoT will enable companies that provide products to accurately grasp consumer needs and optimize supply and demand. Manufacturers in particular will be able to manufacture products that are definitely in demand, rather than just making products based on predictions of what will sell.
Factories that utilize IoT are also becoming more common. By connecting production equipment equipped with sensors to a network, the operating status can be visualized, and an optimized production system can be maintained by analyzing data obtained from production equipment and machines and linking it to a production management system. It is said that factories can achieve thorough efficiency and cost reduction by adopting IoT.
3. Creating business opportunities for companies
By obtaining huge amounts of data through IoT, companies will be able to grasp diverse consumer demands. Utilizing that big data will also create new business opportunities. IoT has already begun to be used in many industries, including the service industry, logistics, medical care, and agriculture, and it is expected that it will give rise to completely new businesses in the future.
Types of IoT and their use cases
There are three types of IoT: IoT that operates things, IoT that knows the state of things, IoT that detects the movement of things, and IoT that communicates between things. Below, we will introduce examples of each. There are also examples of use cases where different IoTs are combined together.
1. IoT examples for controlling objects
IoT allows you to operate cameras, door locks, home appliances, healthcare devices, etc. using a smartphone. You can turn the power on and off, adjust the intensity, and perform other operations. For example, a product that allows you to monitor your pets while you are away using a network camera, talk to them through a speaker, and feed them became a hot topic.
2. IoT examples for knowing the status of things
IoT is a technology that monitors the condition of things and keeps track of them in real time. A typical example would be the wearable devices used in medical settings. Products that issue warning alerts when a patient’s health condition deteriorates, and contact lenses that can manage blood sugar levels have also been developed. In addition to wearable devices, products called “smart beds” that can monitor pulse rate, breathing rate, and sleep/wake states have also appeared.
Additionally, in the agricultural sector, experiments have begun on “smart agriculture,” which uses IoT to monitor the environment inside greenhouses where vegetables and other crops are grown, and remotely controls temperature, air conditioning balance, and watering and fertilizer supply.
3. IoT examples for detecting the movement of objects
This is a type of IoT that detects the movement of objects or people carrying those objects and takes action. For example, a demonstration experiment is being conducted in which multiple IoT sensors are installed in key locations within a shopping facility, and customers’ smartphones and an app that allows them to use coupons are used to analyze their visit status by combining their movements and attributes.
As IoT that detects motion becomes more widespread, systems that send information about sales and other special offers to the smartphones of regular or potential customers when they approach a shopping facility will likely become common.
4. IoT examples of communication between things
There are two types of IoT, which allows things to communicate with each other: IoT where machines collect information from other machines, and IoT where machines control other machines.
A typical example of IoT where machines collect information from other machines is the Vehicle Information and Communications System (VICS). Currently, sensors installed on highways measure road information such as congestion and traffic regulations, and the VICS center processes the information and transmits it in real time to car navigation systems from radio beacons installed on the highway. In the future, it is expected that VICS will be able to cover even more detailed and extensive road information by having cars running on the roads themselves become IoT sensors and collect and analyze large amounts of information.
An example of IoT where machines control other machines is an automatic lighting control system for buildings. Motion sensors installed in the building detect the presence of people, and the control device adjusts the brightness of the lights based on that information. Other systems that control air conditioning are also in the practical stage.
IoT has been introduced into various fields and is already producing many benefits. It is expected to become even more widespread in the near future and dramatically change our living environment. Please keep an eye on its trends.