IoT, otherwise known as the Internet of Things is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. The Internet of Things refers to the rapidly growing network of connected objects that can collect and exchange data in real-time using embedded sensors.
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Examples of IoT devices are smart Mobiles, smart refrigerators, smartwatches, smart fire alarms, smart door locks, smart bicycles, medical sensors, fitness trackers, smart security systems, etc. Anything smart device is an IoT device. It is important to know that things around us can be made into IoT devices by connecting them to a network e.g A light bulb.
The components of IoT include sensors/devices, connectivity, data processing, and a user interface. With these components, IoT devices become interrelated and function properly.
Benefits Of IoT
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IoT Increases Productivity
IoT has increased the level of productivity and efficiency in every aspect of the human lifestyle. It makes work easier and faster thereby doubling up the level of efficiency and productivity. It increased the profits of transactions as it does more than what manpower can do.
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Improved Security
The improvement of security made by IoT devices covers many aspects from the protection and security of houses, lands, properties, schools, and hospitals down to farmlands. One notable improvement in security caused by IoT devices is the use of body and movement sensors.
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Better Home Management
It helps to manage homes with many conveniences. Individuals can now monitor and control their homes from any part of the world. This helps prevent burglary theft, robbery, electrical damage, fire outbreak and so on.
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Betterment of Agriculture
The effect of the adoption in agriculture can not be overemphasized. It helps monitor the growth of crop plants and animals. This way, a farmer or farm owner is able to detect diseases, prevent them from spreading and eradicate them. This has increased farm yields and productivity levels which is of great benefit to the farmer/farm owner himself.
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Increased Access to Educational Materials
Students are not left out of the benefits it provides. Students’ reliable access to everything from learning materials to communication channels to better assimilation and comprehension is all thanks to IoT devices. such devices also arm teachers with the proficiency to assess students learning improvement in real-time.
Disadvantages Of IoT
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Poor Weather Forecasting
Machines are not perfect. There are many cases whereby IoT smart devices have provided wrong information about the weather thereby ruining the day’s pre-planned activities.
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Over dependency on Technology
IoT’s excellent performance has given rise to the over-dependency of humans on technology. They no longer dedicate time for things that require human interaction to get better e.g A parent monitoring his/her child and the home.
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Unemployment
Technology especially IoT products have successfully rid humans of employment in certain sectors. The rise of IoT has made some bosses realize that they could get an increased level of productivity from machines than humans thereby leading to the laying off of workers and rendering them jobless.
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Purchase and Maintenance Cost
The cost of IoT devices is relatively high making it so that not everyone can enjoy its benefits. Machines are prone to damage. They are not everlasting but to make them long-lasting, one has to frequently do maintenance checks and corrections which are also relatively high in cost.
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IoT Disrupts Privacy
In this age where hacking has become rather popular, the privacy of many is at stake. The availability of IoS devices makes it easier for them to hack into rather confidential data or information.
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