What is IoT? The Internet of things refers to the worldwide network of human-made objects including things or devices that are embedded with sensors, devices, and other technology for the purpose of communication and exchange of data with other such objects and systems via the Internet. The term “IoT” is an abbreviation of “Internet of Things.” A variety of devices may be added to this global network, or may already be there, depending on what is being defined as a “thing.” Some examples of previously known devices include cell phones, digital televisions, watches, keyboards, monitors, medical equipment, cars, trucks, and so on.

In order for IoT devices to communicate with each other and with an operating system such as Linux, a router is required. The IoT routers can be free-standing or they can be embedded within wireless networks in various locations. Once installed, they will send and receive data packets, which are then translated by the operating system into commands to perform particular tasks. Examples of tasks include controlling lights, opening and closing doors, and displaying information on digital displays.

Today, IoT has the potential to connect a wide variety of devices together into a comprehensive network. This potential is far greater than what was imagined just five years ago, when the IoT was just beginning to gain popularity. When the IoT was first envisioned, it was considered a national security problem. There were a number of reasons why this vision failed to materialize. Chief among these was the fact that no one thought to specify what exactly it was that should be included in the network. No one thought to specify how the devices would interact with each other or with a centralized monitoring center, which meant there were a lot of assumptions built around the concept of the IoT that simply got tossed around.

Today, the IoT is a much better understood concept. Because of advances in modern computer technology, and the Internet, it’s now possible to design and develop applications for many devices with just the click of a button. Not only is the potential for connectivity broad, but it is now possible to extend the functionality of all of these interconnected devices to the point where every business in the country can be completely networked. That means every business can now be completely controlled by the customer – because every business customer can be connected to every other business. And the only limit to how connected these devices can get is the limits of the human mind.

Today, thanks to advances in wireless technology, any smart phone can become a device with Ethernet capabilities, Bluetooth capabilities, WiFi capabilities, and more. Any device in range of these radios could become part of an interconnected ecosystem – a network of devices that work together to provide users with real-time information, access to sensors, and the ability to control each other through wireless protocols. In this way, every business in the country has the power to be completely networked to one another. This means that any device that has a web connection could be part of a business intelligence network that provides analysis, research, scheduling, operation recommendations, remote assistance, and more.

In a nutshell, this means that any object in the world can become a sensor that receives information, process that information, store that information, and then transmit that information back down the internet for analysis or usage. The beauty of this is that these devices are totally portable. They can go from a kitchen table to a space shuttle, from a laptop to a space ship. These networks don’t care if the object is placed in direct view of the network, or behind some furniture.

This brings us to the second major benefit of what is IoT: the ability to leverage traditional internet technologies to provide new opportunities to organizations and individuals. For instance, instead of having to rent a bunch of different types of hardware to meet a variety of different needs, businesses and individuals can leverage the power of the internet and combine multiple devices into one consistent, automated system. This is why so many industries have been attracted to the field of IoT, including automotive companies, consumer product manufacturers, healthcare providers, and governments. Even car manufacturers now have the ability to hook up car engines to vehicles remotely, so that a driver can receive directions, phone calls, messages, and more without ever leaving the car. In fact, with the ability to leverage the internet, any traditional internet enabled device can actually become an IoT-enabled device in the home, as well.

All this speaks to the third benefit of what is IoT: the integration of internet technology with physical processes. For instance, by collecting soil moisture sensors from around your home, you can use this data to make sure your basement is dry in the off-season or diagnose leaks before they become severe. You can also take the same sensors and route them throughout your home, pointing them to doors, windows, and any other known or potential entry points that you need to protect. By combining real-world data with machine-learning algorithms, you can create intelligent systems that can not only recognize threats but actually spot them before they get too close.