What is IoT (Internet of Things)?

IoT, or the Internet of Things, is a term referring to connected machine and devices which can communicate remotely over a one, or several, wireless communication mediums. This has been defined by the IDC as “a network of networks of uniquely identifiable endpoints (or “things”) that communicate without human interaction using IP connectivity – be it “locally” or globally”

While this isn’t necessarily a new idea and has been used in industry under the guise of M2M (Machine-to-Machine) technology,the IoT is very much more of a consumer focused term, referring to the growth of communication devices being found in your everyday life, in things such as cars, houses (including energy monitors, thermostats, lighting), wearable technology (seen at the moment through the rise of the smart watch), health monitoring devices and even toothbrushes.

The increases of communication between devices and volume of data that is created allows for devices to become “smart”; working around the users’ needs and preferences and improving efficiency, while the user can make use of the data themselves, something which is valuable when it comes to applications such as health monitoring.

Wireless communication mediums that IoT devices can make use of include:

Long Range Wireless Communication:

• GPRS
• 3G
• 4G / LTE

Short Range Wireless Communication:

• Bluetooth
• Wi-Fi
• RF
• Zigbee
• SIGFOX