Semester 4 / Internet of Things /Introduction to Internet of Things

Introduction to Internet of Things

3 min read Last updated Thu Jun 11 2026 16:39:02 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
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A network of physical things that sense the environment and exchange data over a network, typically the internet.

Examples:

  • Smart home appliances (smart thermostats, refrigerators)
  • Wearable health monitors
  • Smart traffic systems
  • Smart agriculture (soil moisture sensors, automated irrigation)
  • Industrial sensors in factories

Impact on Society

  • Automation
    Devices perform tasks automatically based on sensor data.
  • Remote monitoring
    Systems are controlled and monitored over the internet.
  • Data-driven decisions
    Continuous data collection enables analysis and optimization.
  • Improved efficiency
    Energy, time, and other resources are managed more effectively.

History

  • 1970s: Early intelligent device concepts emerged with microprocessors and microcontrollers.
  • 1989: A modified Coca-Cola vending machine at Carnegie Mellon University became the first internet-connected embedded device.
  • 1999: Kevin Ashton coined the term Internet of Things.
  • Early 2000s: RFID and cellular communication enabled large-scale deployment.
  • 2010s onward:
    • Low-cost embedded processors became widely available.
    • Mobile communication networks expanded.
    • Consumer IoT devices proliferated.

The internet originally enabled people-to-people communication. Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication emerged as embedded devices became smarter.

  • Internet of Everything (IoE)
    Connects people, data, processes, and things.
  • Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication
    Direct device-to-device communication without human involvement.
  • Web of Things (WoT)
    Integrates IoT devices with web technologies.
  • Industry 4.0
    Smart manufacturing and industrial automation.
  • Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
    IoT applied in industrial systems.
  • Pervasive computing
    Computing embedded in everyday environments.
  • Intelligent systems
    Systems capable of automated decision making.

An IoT deployment is a System of Systems: independent sub-systems (edge device, network, fog layer, cloud) each complete in their own right, interoperating to form a larger whole.

Commercial Goals

IoT is commercially motivated by 4 goals:

  • Reduce operational cost
  • Increase efficiency
  • Improve customer experience
  • Create new revenue streams through data-driven decision making

Challenges

Security

Arise from the large number of connected devices and distributed architectures.

  • Device access protection
  • Physical security of devices
  • Lack of visibility and control
  • Malware attacks
  • Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks

Privacy

Arise from IoT data collection and transmission practices.

  • Unauthorized access to devices
  • Data exposure
  • Personal information leakage
  • Privacy violations

Technological

Arise from evolving standards and infrastructure dependencies.

  • Rapid technological changes
  • Dependency on power, networks, and cloud services
  • Infrastructure limitations
  • Relatively immature ecosystem
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