Everyone at this point, even the most technology averse, has heard of the Internet of Things (IoT) or seen some of its products. From “learning thermostats” like Nest to “wearable technologies” like the FitBit, the average consumer sees devices moving toward more integration in unexpected places. And, like the proverbial iceberg, these consumer-facing technologies make up only the tip of a much larger wave of innovation, which is already reshaping how business, the economy, and society operates. That rising wave is greatest in the Industrial IoT.
The Tip
At its core, IoT is a simple concept. It’s about inter-networking not just traditional computing devices, such as personal computers, laptops, or media centers, but also a host of other objects, such as thermostats, coffee makers, cars, lights, security systems, employee badges, watches, and toothbrushes—to name just a few that have been folded into the IoT world.
The advantage of having each of these devices talking to each other is the same as it was for inter-networking computers: efficiency, communication, and automation. Say you live in an IoT-connected house and wake up on a cold, snowy morning. Your smartwatch detects when you wake up through your movement and heartbeat. It sends a signal for the coffee maker to start and for the thermostat to warm up the house. Once you’ve enjoyed your coffee, your smart car uses that as a cue to turn on its engine so that you can hop in an already-warmed car and ride to work.
Before you leave though, the washing machine and dishwasher set themselves to do a load of laundry and dishes. The appliances and water heater talk to each other taking turns cleaning throughout the day, but with maximum efficiency because they know you won’t be home until dark. With each of these devices connected together, they get the benefit of the information all the other devices collect, and so can do more with minimal additional expense.
The Industrial IoT
The Industrial IoT (IIoT) applies the same concept as the above consumer-facing example, only on a much larger scale and for more specific purposes. Instead of a coffee maker in your home, the same concept is applied to a fleet of coffee makers in office buildings across a whole city. Each one reports back to a central server on its inventory, allowing a beverage-supply company to efficiently plan its resupply route. Or as another example, the component parts in a fleet of construction vehicles each regularly report on their respective wear and tear, allowing the manufacturer to automatically bill and send out replacement parts just before they are needed, saving construction firms time and money in downtime from worn-out equipment.