Although a buzz word, the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) is really about the trend for all appliances and equipment to have networking capability. Implementing network connectivity into appliances and equipment is happening today and it is going to change the world – here’s why….
PHASE 1 – THE CLOUD
Right now, products, systems and services that used to have real-world supply chains are being replaced by application software and storage inside the Internet. Books, music, movies, newspapers and retail shopping are disappearing into the cloud. Traditional industries such as taxis and hotels are being disrupted by cloud-based applications such as Uber and Airbnb. The entire process of financing, design, prototyping, manufacture and distribution of products can now be outsourced online.
At a consumer level today, this usually just means that an appliance or system is Internet connected and has a smart-phone app, however this is just the beginning…
PHASE 2 – ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION
Once devices are networked, they can be remotely controlled by application software to perform tasks. Soon robotics will begin to eliminate all kinds of routine tasks. Tomorrow’s Smart Cities will enable everything from autonomous vehicles to dynamic safety, security and precinct-wide environmental systems.
PHASE 3 – ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will enable automated devices to perform higher level functions previously carried out by skilled workers
and professionals. Tomorrow’s Smart Cities will be able to think for themselves.
The IoT is an enabler for Smart Cities as it allows technology to be deployed across a precinct and to operate as a synergistic system. IoT also creates a platform for the cities’ systems to take advantage of developments in Automation, Robotics and artificial Intelligence.
WIRED OR WIRELESS?
Most IoT devices have the ability to have either a wired or a wireless connection. The most appropriate type of connection is determined by the type and location of the IoT device. For example, an underground pump will not have a clear radio path and will need to be wired. A smart bin, however, may communicate via a wireless network.
A major consideration in determining if an IoT device is wired or wireless is the bandwidth requirement. Bandwidth intensive equipment such as Ultra High Definition CCTV cameras are better suited to a wired connection. A wireless access point on a Smart Pole will need to have a wired connection. Although wireless technology such as mobile phone networks are enabling
superfast speeds at low latency, which is perfect for autonomous vehicles, they are still limited in terms of the volume of data required to deliver high definition video.
Demand for fixed line broadband is exploding, driven in the main by the demands of streaming video services and online video gaming.
Guest blog submitted by Opticomm