Tuesday 26 / November / 2024
Internet of Things (IoT) is a term that was coined by Kevin Ashton and appeared in 1999 to describe systems connected to the physical world via the internet by using Radio-Frequency Identification Technology (RFID). Since then, IoT had many definitions but in general it is about all the smart devices, vehicles, and even buildings embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data.
IoT starts from the object that uses a sensor or remote to send a command or data through the internet network to an IoT device. It can serve users in different ways.
For example, smartwatch allows remote health monitoring for the loved ones. It can track steps taken as well as other kinds of daily activities, plus it provides an emergency assistance button that alerts to call in and check.
IoT devices are not only for human, houses, industries, or healthcare; they are even used for animals. The device from Fitbark allows the user to have their own Fitbit account. It allows users to measure their dog’s activity and quality of sleep, providing theoretically useful data about their behaviour.
People who are away from their parents and need to check on their health, food shortage in the fridge, and keep a tab on the visitors can benefit from this. Creating a smart home connects everything to the internet network. Starting from the kitchen, a smart fridge can take photos from inside the refrigerator and the user, connected to the fridge database, can access the photos from anywhere to see what is missing and communicate with supermarket. A smart watch can measure the blood pressure, quality of sleep, heartbeat, type of food they need, and remind about the exercises. With a smart door, the user and his/her parents can see who’s at the door and open it by an app in the mobile phone through the internet network.
IoT has huge benefits and is the main player in the next industrial revolution. But it is also considered a double-edged weapon if misused. The main drawback of IoT is the breach of privacy and excessive reliance on technology causing loss of jobs. The use of IoT gives greater opportunity for attackers and hackers to access the personal data of the clients and use it against them. Linking technology in all our daily practices can have a dangerous impact on our life. To sum up, IoT is giving people a new and better technology, yet it is important to consider the drawbacks of it before using it.
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The authors, Mariam Juma, Hager Saleh, Manal Suhail, Marwa Khalifa, are students from Information Systems Department, College of Economics and Political Science, Sultan Qaboos University.
