Internet of Things or IoT, in its most basic form, is a cutting edge technology which will help all living as well as non- living entities to get connected with each other over a common internet network. The only way this is possible is when all these living as well as non- living objects will be provided with unique IP addresses so that they have the ability to receive as well as send data over their common connected network.
The Internet of Things technology is a thing of the future due to its scope as well as reach. It is so far believed that the technological revolution we all are eagerly waiting for is possible only when all our appliances as well as devices will be able to communicate with each other over a common network. A very common example of Internet of Things is a car which consists of in- built sensors. These sensors are helpful in alerting the drive about the petrol as well as gas levels in the car. This proves that people, while commuting, can also reap the benefits of the IoT technology. Another example of IoT application is a smart window air- conditioner, Aros. This air- conditioner provides human beings with the power to control it using a smart phone device so that there can be less wastage of power and energy.
These examples go a long way in explaining the usefulness of IoT technology. Statistics so far are indicating that there will be more than 25 billion autonomous internet- connected devices by the end of the year 2015. This is yet another milestone in the process of making our world into one common well- connected network. It is also said that all manufacturing as well as retail companies will be making use of the IoT inspired technology in one way or the other.
But have you ever thought how an idea as creative as well as massive as Internet of Things even came into existence? To know the answers, let us take a few steps backwards and take a look at the much- anticipated history of Internet of Things.
History of Internet of Things
As of now, it will not be wrong to say that the vision as well as future scope of IoT has certainly changed due to timely convergence of several technologies. Some of the technologies which have paved the path for IoT inspired technological revolution are micro- electromechanical systems (MEMS), embedded systems, wireless communication systems as well as last but not the least, the vast and never- ending world of internet.
In other words, we can say that wireless sensor networks, control systems, embedded systems, automation systems (both at home and workplace), etc. have contributed largely towards enabling the concept of IoT.
Coming to the point from where it all started, the very first discussion regarding the concept of smart devices network was put forward in the year 1982. Under this, a coke machine was made the first ever internet- connected appliance at the Carnegie Mellon University. This coke machine was able to report about its inventory as well as also informed whether the newly loaded stock of drinks is cold or not.
Between the years 1993 and 1996, many companies came forward with the concept of IoT and suggested solutions such as “At Work” by Microsoft as well as “NEST” from Novell. However, no big changes were introduced and finally in the year 1999, the field and scope of IoT got a forward push when Bill Joy put forward the vision of D2D i.e. Device 2 Device communication. This idea was forwarded as a part of his framework known as “Six Webs” and it was presented at the World Economic Forum held at Davos in the year 1999.
After this, the next big step that made IoT technology famous was creation of the Auto- ID Center at MIT in the year 1999. During its early days, the prerequisite of Internet of Things or IoT was also seen through RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). This proposed that all daily use objects, products as well as human beings can be equipped with computers and unique identifiers so that they can manage themselves more efficiently. For this purpose, tagging of different things began with the use of barcodes, QR codes, Digital Watermarking and Near- Field Communication apart from RFID.
The final verdict
If we talk about the original interpretation of IoT, one of the very first consequences will be equipping all living and non- living objects with unique identifying devices or machines that carry readable identifiers. This will alter an individual’s ability to interact with objects remotely based on present and immediate requirements. This will also make it easier for end- users to get uninterrupted access to their desired services.
