30 Best Internet Of Things Examples In 2021
Introduction
What is the Internet of Things? The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a concept that involves the usage of physical but internet-enabled devices, between which communication takes place through wireless networks. IoT and its applications are being used increasingly in multiple fields. Globally, 127 IoT devices are connected to the internet every second as per McKinsey. Let’s understand better what is meant by IoT and how IoT works through a series of internet of things examples.
Internet Of Things Examples
1. Enterprise Asset Management
Enterprise asset management involves measures taken to improve device and machine health to achieve greater output. It is among the prime internet of things examples in the industrial setup. Machines retrofitted with IoT sensors inform users about the machine’s current status and whether it needs any maintenance. It allows for more efficient checks for safety and compliance purposes.
2. Predictive Maintenance
Lack of proper maintenance is among the primary causes for a reduced lifetime of the machines. The application of IoT in maintenance involves using sensors inside robots and other automated devices to predict whether a failure is likely to occur or not. Based on certain preset thresholds, the sensors indicate the extent to which maintenance might be required.
3. Industrial Process Automation/Optimisation
This may be considered the most important one among the internet of things examples in an industrial setup. Most industrial processes can be automated remotely without having to be anywhere close to the actual machines. Devices fitted with IoT sensors detect signals over wireless networks and get to work on precisely the task that has been assigned.
4. Energy Management
Among the primary Internet of Things examples across several fields is the management of the power consumed by devices, especially in the manufacturing industry, where massive amounts of power is utilised. When used aptly, IoT devices can help predict individual devices’ power utilisation and help reduce over-utilisation by using them judiciously or in a power-saving mode.
5. Outdoor Surveillance
This is among the primary internet of things examples in daily life. If your outdoor camera is IoT enabled, you can get information about whether there is an intrusion in your house or if someone is at the door. More advanced IoT devices will also be able to predict who is at the door and inform you through face-mapping technology.
6. Smart Lighting
This is another one of the Internet of Things examples that have gradually been coming into common usage. Bulbs and battens connected to Wifi can be turned on and off remotely. Schedule for usage can be set for these devices along with their brightnesses controlled and their power consumption monitored. Using other IoT devices, smart lighting devices can also be turned on and off by voice alone. The power consumption of these devices can also be easily monitored using IoT.
7. Electronic Road Toll Collection and Traffic Management
Using the data generated by cameras and other IoT devices, traffic regulators can automate the timings of traffic lights on busy roads and highways. This can go a long way in making roads safer and less susceptible to accidents. IoT devices can also be used to make road toll completely automated. This is done by detecting when a car is driven into the toll collection zone and lifting the barrier only once the toll has been paid.
8. Smart Parking
It is hard to regulate the occupancy and parking coverage in large multi-story car parking facilities. Among the many Internet of Things, examples is the use of IoT in such facilities for counting the number of cars that have driven into the facility and the number that have driven out. Specific devices can also give you the exact location where you have parked your car so you are not lost.
9. Noise Monitoring
Municipal corporations of large cities struggle incessantly with factories located inside the city that produce large amounts of noise throughout the day. The application of IoT in this domain is made by fitting the premises of such facilities with sensors that continuously monitor the noise being produced by them. If noise levels are frequently above the stipulated limit, then the company is warned to comply.
10. Structural Health Monitoring
Among the many Internet of Things, examples in architecture are the remote monitoring of occurrences such as vibrations and other issues with a building’s structural integrity. This data can be used to determine whether any part of the building is weak and needs maintenance. This can also predict the likelihood of damage and help prepare plans and schedules for maintenance.
11. Waste Management
Waste management is one of the most inefficient activities carried out in a city. It is primarily because waste management tools are not standardised, and the route being followed by waste collection trucks is often not well-planned. IoT devices can help municipal waste collectors monitor the schedule of their trucks, the capacity of waste dumps, and the overall efficiency of the process.
12. Water Conservation
Homeowners, as well as industrial facilities, seldom have an understanding of the available local water levels, whether in overhead tanks or underground storage systems. A part of the Internet of Things examples in this domain is monitoring these local water levels. When the people impacted realize that the water levels are low, they are more likely to indulge in water conservation activities.
13. Smart Irrigation
It is among the innovative Internet of Things examples in agriculture, under which a sensor can determine the amount of moisture in the soil and the weather conditions. Based on these parameters, this sensor determines precisely the amount of water required by the crops. It enables farmers to save water and grow crops more healthily.
14. Leakage Management
The leakage of water in domestic and industrial water tanks, water transportation tankers, and industrial water storage systems is the reason for the wastage of millions of gallons worth of water every year. This is mitigated by using IoT sensors that inform you as soon as they detect water leakage of any kind. This doesn’t just save water but also saves users the cost of the leaked water.
15. Water Quality Management
The rules of the water constitution have become more and more stringent over recent years. However, with water supplies being privatised, these rules can be flouted by companies providing unhealthy water to citizens. IoT examples in this sector involve fitting sensors in water supplies to continuously monitor certain levels of chemicals and check whether they are below the required threshold included in the regulations. If not, the company supplying the water can potentially be penalised.
16. Ultraviolet Radiation Monitoring
Around 10% of the sun’s light includes ultraviolet radiation. These rays can be harmful to the skin and have been related to various health problems. The concentration of these rays is different during different hours of the day. IoT sensors fitted outdoors can regularly inform you of the UV levels and warn you not to step outside when levels are too high.
17. Fall Detection
Senior citizens can face the problem of falling to the ground but not having the strength to get up. To mitigate this issue, specific Internet of Things examples may come to the rescue. A product designed especially for senior citizens can detect fall and summon local resources to help them. This way, they do not have to spend a prolonged amount of time on the ground.
18. Companion Robots
Companion robots seem like a part of futuristic Internet of Things examples but are already becoming a reality. Companion robots are becoming more and more prevalent across the world. These robots can carry out specific essential tasks for you, like talking to you and informing you of other IoT devices’ conditions in your household. Likely, these robots will only become more and more popular over the coming decades.
19. Medical Fridges
Medical fridges are a grand entry to the Internet of Things examples list and can be used for regulatory compliance and safety purposes. Vials of vaccines and medicines can often be spoiled if they are not kept at the correct temperatures. Medical refrigerators cannot be monitored throughout the day, especially in person. Having IoT sensors inside medical fridges can enable them to be monitored remotely, and their temperature changes as per requirement.
20. Patient Surveillance/Remote Patient Monitoring
IoT devises examples include applications in patient surveillance when a patient cannot be kept at the hospital. Patients can be monitored by doctors remotely. Especially after surgery, when the patient’s body is vulnerable, an array of wearables can be used to monitor the vitals of the patient. This will help prevent the condition of the patient from deteriorating.
21. Supply Chain Control
Internet of Things examples in the retail sector includes application in supply chain management and control. When a truck or lorry commences its journey from the supplier to the vendor, both the vendor and the supplier can track the truck’s exact location. They can also monitor the speed the container is moving and calculate an estimated time of arrival. They can get a live feed of the material being transferred and monitor the container’s environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture level, and humidity.
22. Near Field Communication (NFC) Payment
NFC is one of the fastest-growing applications of the Internet of Things in the retail sector. In NFC payment, customers do not need to pay by cash or card but can use their NFC-enabled devices to make contactless payments. It reduces the time required to make the payment and also increases the surety of the payments. All that is required for making NFC payment on the vendor’s side is an NFC payment device.
23. Layout Optimisation
NFC sensors can be used to monitor consumer habits in retail stores through the use of images and videos analysed using machine learning. This can help store owners gain an insight into the kind of sections that customers generally like to frequent. This information can then be used to optimise the layout of the store.
24. Smart Product Management
The use of IoT extends to applications in retail management. IoT devices are used to rotate products and make optimised product placement decisions in retail stores. They are also used for making merchandising determinations in warehouses.
25. Sociometric Badges
Sociometric tracking is one of the most innovative IoT application examples. Employers and companies can use IoT devices to track the interaction between team members. They can be used to segment different interactions, such as team meetings, one-on-one interactions, time spent in conversation, etc.
26. Remote Control Appliances
Many different home appliances can now be remotely controlled. From bulbs to refrigerators to even fans and TVs, a substantial majority of home appliances have become Wifi-enabled. This allows you to control various functions in your home without as much stepping out of your room.
27. Smart Locks
IoT applications in home security have enabled users to do away with traditional locks and invest in smart locks. Smart locks do not require a physical key to open. Instead, you can authorise individual house members to open the doors through biometric information such as iris scans or fingerprints. Face-mapping can also be utilised to open smart locks.
28. Motion Detection
Motion detection technology is useful in detecting activity in high-security areas. In case any motion is detected, the user will immediately get a notification alongside a live feed of the area. Motion detection takes place using IoT cameras or IR sensors.
29. Fleet Tracking
The logistics application of IoT involves tracking fleets of large trucks and containers using sensors fitted in them. It also allows the tracking of speeds and conditions of the trucks and small ships close to the coast and monitoring the condition of the goods kept in them.
30. Platooning
Platooning is a transportation method in which a line of trucks follows a truck in the front at high speed. In such cases, the risk of accidents is always high since the trucks can crash into each other, even if one of the trucks comes to a sudden halt. IoT sensors fitted inside these trucks can be used to inform the whole line if even one truck needs to stop or increase speed to mitigate this risk.
31. Flood Alert
IoT devices can help coastal areas be alerted in case of incoming floods. Sensors deployed at a distance from the shore can detect tides and check if they are abnormally high, sending signals to emergency services in case they are.
32. Sports
Sports such as tennis use IoT-enabled racquets to determine the force of every shot and tailor the technique of the player accordingly. Cricket and badminton have also begun to use similar technologies.
Conclusion
IoT is slowly taking over all fields, and the applications of the Internet of Things are growing by the day. The above Internet of Things examples provide us with only a partial picture of the technology’s enormous potential. In days to come, the technology of IoT will only develop further to make most of our daily activities simpler, easier, and remotely controllable. Businesses must continuously search for applications of IoT in their domain, to be competitive and ahead of the curb in terms of implementation.
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