Introduction

Over the past five years, digital tracking and wireless information networks have helped save hundreds of lives globally by thwarting kidnapping attempts and predicting violent attacks.

Smartwatches have helped during medical emergencies, informing the user of an underlying medical condition before contacting emergency services.

Smart home appliances, like the smart fridge, have also helped manage expenses and curb excessive eating habits. These and many more are examples of the saving grace of the fast-evolving digital world and the Internet of Things.

Like Eric Schmidt of Google predicted a few years back, the internet will “disappear” from our fictive and become a part of our surroundings. This is fast becoming truer with the Internet of Things, which begs the question:

What is the Internet of Things?

In simple terms, the Internet of Things (IoT), comprises physical devices or “things" from all over the world connected to the internet. These devices collect, store, and transmit data, courtesy of the abundant microchips, and wireless networks in our world today.

Hence, hairbrushes, pens, shoes, earrings, and virtually any physical object in existence can be a part of the IoT. From the smallest button to the tallest skyscraper, these “objects” are digitally smart and transmit real-time data without human interference.

Examples of IoT “devices.”

Essentially, any physical item can be part of the IoT, as long as it can be connected to the internet to manage and convey information

A watch synced to a smartphone is part of the IoT and so is an air-conditioning system that can be controlled remotely. Smart TVs, kitchen appliances, and doors are all ubiquitous IoT devices as well.

A self-driving car also falls under the IoT category, as it contains thousands of sensors that control and transmit information back to the main server, to ensure that it functions efficiently.

Amazon is leading to race when it comes to smart homes, launching their Home Automation Feature for developers in 2015, which they have drastically improved on since then. This indicates that IoT doesn't only contain objects but also buildings.

Hundreds of smart homes form smart cities, and hundreds of smart cities form...you get the picture. These are a few examples of the numerous materials that populate the Internet of Things.

How IoT Works

This is a condensed version of how the IoT functions:

A physical, nondigital object is implanted with a digital transmitting device, such as a chip or sensor, that collects data from interactions with it.

Afterward, data collected is shared through the cloud and integrates with software.

The data is then analyzed and transmitted, by the software, to users via an app or a website. Pretty basic, right?

Summary

The Internet of Things is composed of everyday devices that surround us. These devices continuously transmit data with other IoT devices and transfer real-time information to the user.

Hence, from the tiniest button to the largest smart city, the Internet of Things is a massive network of objects geared towards making information easily accessible and transferable to us, making our daily lives more coordinated and efficient.

This article is the first in a four-part series of articles exploring everything we need to know about the IoT.