case study of iot application

IoT Applications in 2024: 30+ Use Cases

Cem is the principal analyst at AIMultiple since 2017. AIMultiple informs hundreds of thousands of businesses (as per Similarweb) including 60% of Fortune 500 every month.

Cem's work has been cited by leading global publications including Business Insider, Forbes, Washington Post, global firms like Deloitte, HPE, NGOs like World Economic Forum and supranational organizations like European Commission. You can see more reputable companies and media that referenced AIMultiple.

Internet of Things (IoT) applications are becoming more widespread. According to Statista , worldwide expenditure on IoT in 2022 is expected to be $1B.

IoT enables a myriad of different business applications. Knowing those IoT examples and use cases can help businesses integrate IoT technologies into their future investment decisions. That is why we set out to create the most comprehensive list of IoT use cases in industries.

The image below shows the potential impact of IoT technologies in various industries in 2025.

We have compiled 33 IoT applications for business leaders to select the correct use case for their IoT implementation . Use cases include:

Smart Factories

1. enterprise asset management.

Enterprise asset management involves work management, asset maintenance, planning and scheduling, supply chain management, and environmental, health, and safety (EHS) initiatives. Businesses collect real-time data from an asset with IoT sensors.

Businesses are rapidly adopting smart asset management systems into their businesses. Due to their asset-intensive environments, we mostly encounter IoT asset monitoring in industries such as logistics, retail, and manufacturing.

IoT-powered asset management increases real-time visibility of assets and helps businesses optimize their resource while providing benefits such as:

• Increased operational efficiency
• Better control over the sales lifecycle
• More efficient safety and compliance checks
• More responsive smart environment.

2. Predictive maintenance

Maintenance is conducted to prevent predicted problems. So over the lifetime of a machine, some components may never be checked if they are not predicted to cause problems.

For example,  Fanuc  is a robotics company that is working on reducing the downtime of machines with IoT technology. Fanuc uses sensors to predict when the failure of the component will happen.

3. Industrial process automation/optimization

Organizations can keep a real-time record of the metrics of all the machines inside a plant using IoT and IP networks. Manufacturers can use this data to automate workflows and optimize production systems. Automation and optimization support industrial companies to reduce costs and increase the quality and volume of output.

The  market for automated industrial robots is proliferating. The market size was 41 billion U.S. dollars in 2017 and is expected to reach 73 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. 

4. Energy management

Energy can be a costly input for industrial businesses. With fluctuating energy costs and strict government requirements for efficiency, managing energy distribution becomes important.

IoT devices can help manufacturers manage energy consumption based on real-time data collected from devices. Intelligent energy management systems reduce energy bills, operational expenditures, and the carbon footprint of the factory while increasing energy efficiency.  WebNMS  is an  IoT platform that provides IoT applications including energy management to optimize the energy consumption of businesses.

Smart Cities

Kay Sharpington from Gartner, states “The COVID-19 pandemic is slowing down spending, however, governments across the globe continue to use IoT technologies and solutions to improve citizen safety. At the same time, the falling endpoint and connectivity costs make smart city initiatives more viable”.

Gartner estimated that the global government Internet of Things (IoT) endpoint electronics and communications market totaled $15 billion in 2020, an increase of 6% from 2019. Same study also reveals the top 5 government IoT applications and revenue generated by each use case as seen below:

5. Outdoor surveillance

When IoT CCTV cameras are combined with artificial intelligence and machine vision, governments can automate the surveillance of streets through cameras. As IoT enables connectivity of machines, they can record and analyze video data in real-time, and they can provide police officers with insights instead of single pieces of images.

However, outdoor surveillance processes personal information and there is potential for abuse in the use of such technologies. Therefore appropriate checks and balances need to be implemented in such systems to ensure that personal information is not abused while the risk of crime is minimized.

6. Smart lighting

According to the 2018  Gartner IoT hype cycle report, smart lighting is the fourth-most mature IoT tech application. Smart lighting aims to optimize energy management.

Smart lighting is made up of street lighting with IoT sensors. Sensors collect data about the condition of traffic and pedestrians. With that data, street lights provide optimum lighting so that street lighting systems can save up to 80% of the energy.

Smart lighting can also be applied to factories or homes.

7. Electronic road toll collection and traffic management

Traffic engineers augmented by smart systems at a central traffic management center (TMC) can analyze data from IoT sensors and then optimize the timing of traffic lights throughout the day. This can help divide the traffic more evenly over roads as traffic volume fluctuates.

8. Smart parking

In cities like San Francisco, parking is a big problem. With IoT sensors, parking problems in a city can be minimized.

The working principle of smart parking is:

• Sensors are attached to parking lots to detect parked cars
• Measurements are periodically sent to the cloud by microcontrollers
• Mobile Apps use cloud data to identify empty parking spaces,
• Drivers check mobile apps to identify vacant parking spaces close to the location they aim to go to.

Noise Monitoring

In smart cities, sound monitoring systems can monitor noise levels warn companies that violate limits, and help manage noise levels.

9. Structural health monitoring

IoT allows remote collection of architectural data to monitor events such as vibrations and changes in material conditions, predict structural damage, and prepare action plans for structures such as bridges, buildings, stadiums, ships, airplanes, etc. 

10. Waste management

Traditional waste collections are complicated and costly since a fleet of trucks drives along busy streets using inefficient routes. Fill levels of garbage containers differ for each container: ranging from overflowing, partially filled, and empty. IoT sensors can monitor fill levels for conventional bins and send the data to the relevant department of the city hall. With that information, the garbage truck routes can be optimized for trash collection.

Machine learning methods can also be implemented in IoT sensors (i.e. edge analytics ) so that sensors can predict the fill levels of containers by learning from historical data.

Below the video, you can find how Proximus, an IoT solutions vendor, uses IoT to manage waste:

Water Management

Due to the drastic increase in urbanization levels and the importance of water quality in human health, water management is a key topic for cities. A water management system is based on real-time data collected from sensors. Water management can provide the following applications:

11. Water conservation

Sensors detect the water level in tanks and alert when the water level is lower than the threshold. Well™,  a smart home water conservation system developed by Mindtribe , uses IoT sensors to monitor water usage.

12. Smart irrigation

IoT sensors determine the weather conditions and the soil moisture, which will help in getting the appropriate amount of water that the soil needs. For instance, greenIQ is a vendor that offers a sprinkler sensor that optimizes its functionality based on the dryness of the soil.

13. Leakage management

IoT sensors can detect temperature changes, water leakage, chemical leakage, and pressure levels in water tanks.

14. Water quality management

IoT sensors determine what kind of chemicals are in the water. They also identify metrics such as total dissolved solids (TDS), bacteria, chlorine, electrical conductivity, etc.

Learn more about IoT in agriculture.

Digital Health

15. ultraviolet radiation monitoring.

Sunlight consists of three major components:

• Visible light: Wavelengths between 0.4 and 0.8 micrometers,
• Ultraviolet light: Wavelengths shorter than 0.4 micrometers,
• Infrared light: Wavelengths longer than 0.8 micrometers.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are electromagnetic waves that account for about 10% of solar light. When overexposed, UV rays have harmful effects such as skin cancer, premature aging, cataracts, and immune system suppression. IoT sensors measure UV sun rays to warn people not to be exposed during certain hours.

16. Fall detection

Falling to the ground and not being able to get up or request help can be a scary experience for senior citizens. IoT sensors can detect falls using geolocation data and summon help so that it reduces the time the elderly remain on the floor after a fall which could lead to lethal consequences.

The below video is an example of how fall detection systems work from a vendor called Walabot:

17. Companion robots

A companion robot is a robot that is designed to create companionship mostly for elderly and single children. IoT sensors are essential for robotics and it is the same for companion robots as well. Sensors detect objects that surround the robot and enable the robot to move. 

Researchers claim that people have become more receptive to companion robots during the pandemic. Social isolation may lead people to loneliness, anxiety, and frustration, especially the elderly.

18. Medical fridges

Medical fridges monitor the temperature of vaccines, medicines, and organic elements for clinics and health centers. Medical fridges provide an opportunity to follow all safety standards and national regulations of the pharmaceutical market using IoT sensors. They prevent medicines and vaccines from spoiling.

Efento is an IoT sensor and IoT platform vendor that has a variety of temperature measurement products along with wireless monitoring of temperature in medical refrigerators.

19. Patient surveillance/remote patient monitoring

20%  of patients who had surgery are readmitted to the hospital within just 30 days. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) systems use wearables to monitor the condition of patients who are resting at home after surgery. RPM enables real-time data collection about patients’ body temperature which is the main indicator of infections. With RPM, doctors can observe patients’ data and provide early diagnoses without requiring patients to be physically present at the hospital.

Telit is an IoT solution vendor and offers its customers a remote patient monitoring (RPM) solution that enhances patient monitoring capabilities and patient satisfaction. Telit’s offering can reduce:

• Patients hospital stay duration thanks to early diagnosis of complications
• Hospital readmissions

Smart Retail

20. supply chain control.

IoT devices have transformed supply chain management. Sensors, which are attached to storage containers or products themselves,

• show the location of goods using GPS,
• track the speed of movement providing an accurate estimated time of arrival (ETA) for goods,
• monitor warehouse conditions such as temperature, humidity, light intensity, and other environmental factors

21. Near field communication (NFC) payment

NFC enables contactless payments. POS vendors include NFC support in their systems, and customers are adopting contactless payments via their smartphones.

22. Layout optimization

Sensors in the store collect data like voice, image, or video to better understand customer habits and preferences. Retailers can get insights to redesign the layout of their stores. The optimized layout can enhance sales.

23. Smart product management

IoT sensors enable retailers to control the rotation of products on shelves and warehouses to automate merchandising decisions. We have already written about  retail analytics use cases,  feel free to check it out if you want to learn more.

Smart Workplace

24. sociometric badges.

Sociometric sensors are wearable IoT devices that measure the amount of face-to-face interaction, conversational time, physical proximity to other people, and physical activity levels using social signals derived from vocal features, body motion, and relative location.

For example, Humanyze is a vendor that uses sociometric sensors to perform people analytics. The company helps organizations understand how their teams interact to increase performance.

Smart Homes

25. remote control appliances.

IoT-powered home appliances let residents remotely switch on and off devices using smartphone apps to avoid incidents and save energy. Additionally, these devices can make autonomous decisions based on sensor inputs such as preparing fresh coffee when a resident is identified to wake up. Other examples of autonomous or remote-controlled actions include:

• Turning on lights,
• Starting the coffee maker,
• Setting temperature,
• Open up a music playlist,
• And locking doors.

Home Intrusion Detection Systems:

IoT-based home security applications give users capabilities such as smart locks and security cameras that detect motions and send alerts to their smartphones so that they can monitor the safety conditions of their homes from anywhere.

26. Smart locks

Eyelock  is a security provider vendor that offers its clients an iris-based authentication solution.

27. Motion detection

Manything is another vendor in IoT IoT-based home security market. It streams home/office videos and lets users receive alerts when it detects any activity.

Smart Logistics

28. fleet tracking.

IoT fleet tracking systems improve security and provide precise and complete reports that give the fleet managers full transparency regarding the fleet’s activities. Through GPS monitoring and geo-location tools, companies can track the location of their trucks, optimize routes, and monitor their fleet utilization in detail.

For instance, Canadian delivery service Sure Track Courier saved 6-10% per month on fuel costs by optimizing routes using IoT data from trucks.

29. Platooning

Platooning involves a group of self-driving trucks that follow a lead truck at high speed safely and efficiently. Trucks use IoT sensors so that each truck communicates with the other trucks to adapt its speed and braking accordingly.

30. Connected vehicles

Sensors are enhancing vehicles along with AI and analytical capabilities. These sensors provide communication with the driver to supply useful information about other cars on the road and roadside infrastructure to the driver to help the driver make safer or more informed decisions. For example, these vehicles provide GPS-enabled location detection feature that helps them detect traffic congestion.

Autonomous vehicles are also an application of IoT devices. Though it is not commonly used in logistics yet, we will witness this approach soon. For instance, the Mercedes-Benz prototype of the semi-autonomous truck is scheduled for release in 2025.

Smart Metering

31. smart grid.

With the increasing attention regarding climate change and carbon emissions, utilities focus on reducing energy consumption. For utility companies, IoT enables remote data management and monitoring capabilities to manage better power flows into and out of their grids, and give users the insights needed to understand their energy infrastructure investments.

32. Digital Twins

A digital twin is a virtual replica of physical entities such as devices, people, processes, or systems that help businesses make model-driven decisions. With the help of IoT sensors, businesses collect data that is needed to create a digital twin. 

Digital twins enable businesses to gain a deeper understanding of real-world conditions so that they make necessary adjustments to their products & services.

33. IoT devices in healthcare

In healthcare , the ecosystem of IoT-enabled devices such as wearables (smartwatches, rings, vests, etc.), monitors (heart monitors, sleep monitors, temperature monitors, etc.), and trackers (medication refill reminder, drug effectiveness tracking, etc.) can be used for:

• Constant monitoring of patients’ vitals (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature rate, etc.),
• And more accurate diagnoses of patients, thanks to real-time data from IoT devices, thus reducing the possibility of readmission and rising hospital bills.

Read more on IoT

We have written articles about IoT technologies before, feel free to read our other articles on:

• Increase Speed to Market Using an IoT Platform
• Edge Analytics in 2022: What it is, Why it Matters & Use Cases
• IoT Testing: Framework, Challenges, Case Studies & Tools 2022

We also have some in-depth articles on other use cases of IoT in different industries:

• Top 6 Use Cases of IoT in Manufacturing
• 5 Use Cases of IoT in Automotive in 2022
• 7 Ways IoT Will Improve Your Banking Experience in 2022

Finally, if you believe your business could benefit from implementing an IoT solution, we have a data-driven list of vendors prepared .

We will help you choose the best one for your business:

Throughout his career, Cem served as a tech consultant, tech buyer and tech entrepreneur. He advised enterprises on their technology decisions at McKinsey & Company and Altman Solon for more than a decade. He also published a McKinsey report on digitalization.

He led technology strategy and procurement of a telco while reporting to the CEO. He has also led commercial growth of deep tech company Hypatos that reached a 7 digit annual recurring revenue and a 9 digit valuation from 0 within 2 years. Cem's work in Hypatos was covered by leading technology publications like TechCrunch and Business Insider.

Cem regularly speaks at international technology conferences. He graduated from Bogazici University as a computer engineer and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.

AIMultiple.com Traffic Analytics, Ranking & Audience , Similarweb. Why Microsoft, IBM, and Google Are Ramping up Efforts on AI Ethics , Business Insider. Microsoft invests $1 billion in OpenAI to pursue artificial intelligence that’s smarter than we are , Washington Post. Data management barriers to AI success , Deloitte. Empowering AI Leadership: AI C-Suite Toolkit , World Economic Forum. Science, Research and Innovation Performance of the EU , European Commission. Public-sector digitization: The trillion-dollar challenge , McKinsey & Company. Hypatos gets $11.8M for a deep learning approach to document processing , TechCrunch. We got an exclusive look at the pitch deck AI startup Hypatos used to raise $11 million , Business Insider.

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Guide to iiot in 2024: 7 benefits, 3 challenges & examples, a guide to iot monitoring in 2024: pros, cons & importance, iot testing: framework, challenges, case studies & tools 2024.

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The Most Impactful IoT Case Studies of the Decade

• Key Takeaways

Global IoT market is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2024. Source: Gartner

IoT adoption in manufacturing has increased by 30% in the past year. Source: Statista

85% of retailers have reported increased sales after implementing IoT solutions. Source: SEMrush

IoT is reshaping industries with real-world applications and significant market growth.

The future of IoT promises enhanced efficiency, improved customer experiences, and a more connected world.

In the last ten years, IoT ( Internet of Things ) tech has changed many industries a lot. It made businesses work smarter and connect better. From hospitals to farms, IoT helps things run smoother and use data better. Looking at the best IoT stories of the decade, we see how they changed industries and made a more connected and efficient world.

Introduction to IoT Case Studies 

In the past decade, many businesses have started using IoT (Internet of Things) to work smarter and better. These stories, called IoT case studies, show how connected devices and smart technology are changing industries like healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and cities. They prove that IoT isn’t just a fancy word but a real game-changer that’s making things easier and more efficient for companies and communities everywhere.

• Overview of IoT Case Studies:

IoT case studies show how IoT is used in healthcare, manufacturing, transport, and cities. They use devices that talk to each other, analyze data, and do tasks automatically to solve big problems. For instance, they help monitor patients from afar in healthcare, predict when machines need fixing in factories, and manage energy better in cities. These studies help other companies see how they can use IoT to be more innovative.

• Significance of IoT Case Studies:
• IoT case studies provide tangible evidence of the benefits and ROI of IoT adoption.
• They inspire confidence among decision-makers by showcasing successful implementations and best practices.
• Case studies foster knowledge sharing and collaboration within industries, accelerating digital transformation.
• They validate the potential of IoT to drive meaningful change, improve efficiency, and create value for stakeholders.

Healthcare Industry:

The healthcare sector has seen a significant transformation due to the integration of IoT technologies, particularly in the areas of remote patient monitoring and real-time health data analysis.

• Pfizer’s IoT Healthcare Solutions:

Remote Patient Monitoring:

• Pfizer has developed IoT-enabled devices for remote patient monitoring, allowing healthcare providers to track patients’ vital signs and health metrics in real time.
• These devices include wearable sensors, smart medical devices, and remote monitoring systems that provide continuous data on patients’ conditions outside traditional clinical settings.
• The ability to monitor patients remotely enables early detection of health issues, proactive interventions, and improved overall patient care.

Medication Adherence Solutions:

Pfizer uses smart pill dispensers and medication tracking apps with IoT tech to help people take their medicines on time. These tools remind patients when to take their pills and track if they’ve taken them.

When patients stick to their medication schedules, it helps them get better treatment results, reduces hospital visits, and saves money on healthcare for problems caused by not taking medicines as prescribed.

• Philips’ Connected Health Devices:

Patient Monitoring Devices:

• Philips offers a range of IoT-enabled patient monitoring devices that capture and transmit real-time data on patients’ vital signs.
• These devices include smart monitors, wearable sensors, and mobile health apps that enable continuous monitoring of patients’ health conditions.
• Healthcare providers can access and analyze this data remotely, facilitating early intervention, personalized treatment plans, and improved patient outcomes.

Telehealth Platforms:

• Philips’ IoT-based telehealth platforms facilitate virtual consultations, remote patient monitoring, and telemedicine services.
• These platforms integrate data from connected health devices, electronic health records (EHRs), and other sources to provide comprehensive healthcare services.
• Telehealth solutions enhance healthcare accessibility, reduce healthcare costs, and enable patients to receive quality care from anywhere, improving overall healthcare delivery.

Manufacturing Sector

The manufacturing industry changed a lot because of IoT. It helps make things work better and faster. One big way it helps is with Predictive Maintenance. This means using sensors and data to know when machines might break down. Companies like General Electric (GE) use this to fix things before they break. It saves time, money, and keeps production running smoothly.

• General Electric’s IoT in Manufacturing:

Predictive Maintenance:

• GE utilizes IoT sensors and data analytics to implement predictive maintenance strategies in manufacturing machinery.
• Real-time monitoring of equipment performance helps detect anomalies and predict potential failures before they occur.
• This proactive approach minimizes unplanned downtime, reduces maintenance costs, and improves overall equipment reliability.

Inventory Management and Supply Chain Optimization:

• IoT-enabled tracking systems allow GE to monitor inventory levels, track shipments, and streamline logistics operations.
• Real-time visibility into inventory helps in better planning, reducing stockouts, and improving order fulfillment.
• Optimizing supply chain processes through IoT leads to increased efficiency and cost savings.

Energy Usage Optimization:

• GE collects and analyzes IoT data from equipment and processes to optimize energy usage in manufacturing facilities.
• Identifying energy-saving opportunities and efficiency improvements reduces environmental impact and lowers operational costs.
• Sustainable practices lead to a more eco-friendly and cost-effective manufacturing ecosystem.
• Siemens’ Industrial IoT Solutions:

MindSphere IoT Platform:

• Siemens offers MindSphere, a cloud-based IoT platform that connects machines, devices, and systems for data gathering and analysis.
• Manufacturers can monitor equipment performance, predict maintenance needs, and optimize production processes in real time.
• The platform provides actionable insights for improved decision-making and operational efficiency.

Digital Twins for Simulation and Optimization:

Siemens uses digital twins, which are like virtual copies of real things, to help understand and improve stuff.

Companies can use digital twins to test out different ideas, make things work better, and make smarter choices.

By using digital twins to predict problems, find faults early, and make things run smoother, companies can save time and money.

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Applications in Asset Management and Quality Control:

• Siemens’ IoT solutions encompass asset management, production optimization, and quality control applications.
• IoT data and analytics enable higher production yields, better product quality, and faster time-to-market for manufacturers.
• Siemens’ expertise in industrial automation and IoT integration provides comprehensive solutions for manufacturing excellence.

Transportation and Logistics

Transportation and logistics have changed a lot because of IoT. One big change is in tracking things. For example, FedEx now uses IoT to track packages. This means they can see where packages are in real time and know if they’re okay. It helps FedEx work better and makes customers happier because they can know exactly where their packages are and when they’ll arrive, reducing problems with lost or late deliveries.

• FedEx’s IoT Logistics Solutions

Package Tracking and Monitoring:

• Implementation of IoT-enabled sensors on packages for real-time tracking.
• Monitoring of location, temperature, and condition of shipments throughout the delivery process.
• Ensuring timely deliveries and proactive problem-solving for route deviations or delays.

Data Analytics for Operational Insights:

• Utilization of IoT-powered analytics for valuable operational insights.
• Streamlining delivery routes based on data-driven analysis.
• Reducing fuel consumption, optimizing routes, and minimizing overall costs.

Smart Fleet Maintenance:

• Integration of smart sensors in FedEx’s fleet of vehicles.
• Monitoring vehicle performance metrics such as fuel consumption and engine health.
• Proactive scheduling of maintenance to enhance fleet reliability and reduce downtime.

Improved Operational Efficiency:

• Benefits of IoT solutions in improving operational efficiency.
• Enhanced visibility into delivery patterns for better decision-making.
• Ensuring reliable and on-time deliveries, ultimately improving customer satisfaction.
• UPS’s Smart Fleet Management

Telematics Devices for Data Collection:

• Use of telematics devices in UPS vehicles to collect data on driver behavior and vehicle performance.
• Monitoring of route efficiency, idling time, and fuel consumption for optimization.
• Data-driven insights for improving fleet management and reducing operational costs.

Asset Tracking and Monitoring:

• Implementation of IoT-enabled asset tracking systems for packages.
• Real-time monitoring of package location and condition throughout the delivery process.
• Providing customers with accurate and timely updates on their shipments.

Cargo Condition Monitoring:

• Utilization of IoT sensors in delivery vehicles to monitor cargo conditions.
• Monitoring temperature, humidity, and other parameters for sensitive goods.
• Ensuring safe and secure transport of packages, especially for temperature-sensitive items.

Enhanced Customer Experience:

• Benefits of IoT solutions in improving the overall customer experience.
• Increased transparency with real-time package tracking and updates.
• Ensuring the safe and secure delivery of goods, leading to higher customer satisfaction.

Agriculture

IoT is changing farming by helping farmers know when to water, use fertilizers, and manage pests using sensors in their tools. Companies like John Deere and Monsanto make smart tools that use IoT, so farmers can make better decisions and grow more crops while using fewer resources and taking care of the environment.

• John Deere’s Precision Farming IoT:
• Technology Integration: John Deere’s Precision Farming IoT integrates a range of cutting-edge technologies such as sensors, GPS, drones, and data analytics to provide comprehensive insights into agricultural operations.
• Real-time Monitoring: The IoT sensors deployed across fields continuously monitor crucial parameters like soil moisture levels, nutrient content, and environmental conditions in real time.
• Data Analytics: The collected data is processed and analyzed using advanced analytics algorithms, allowing farmers to gain valuable insights into crop health, growth patterns, and potential risks.
• Precision Application: Armed with precise data, farmers can apply fertilizers, pesticides, and water resources with unparalleled accuracy, optimizing resource usage and minimizing environmental impact.
• Decision Support: John Deere’s IoT platform provides farmers with decision support tools that offer recommendations for crop management strategies, irrigation scheduling, and pest control measures based on real-time data analysis.
• Monsanto’s Agricultural IoT Solutions:
• Monsanto’s Agricultural IoT Solutions use data science, satellite images, and weather predictions to help farmers make smart decisions.
• Farm Monitoring: Sensors in fields check soil health, crop growth, and pests. This helps spot problems early and plan ahead.
• Predictive Tools: By studying past and current data, Monsanto’s system predicts how crops will do, when to plant, and how diseases might spread.
• Efficient Use: The system suggests just enough water, fertilizers, and pesticides based on data. This cuts waste and helps the environment.
• Less Risk: Farmers get alerts about bad weather, market changes, and pests. This helps them avoid problems and make better choices.

Retail Sector

Retail has changed a lot lately because of IoT. It’s now better at making customers happy. Smart shelves with RFID tags help stores know what’s in stock all the time. This means no empty shelves and happier customers who find what they want when they come to shop.

• Amazon Go’s IoT Retail Experience
• Seamless Shopping Experience: Amazon Go redefines retail experiences by integrating IoT technologies seamlessly. Customers enter the store, scan their Amazon Go app, and proceed to shop without the need for traditional checkout processes.
• IoT Devices and Sensors: The store is equipped with a network of IoT devices and sensors that track customer movements and product selections in real time. Each item picked up by a customer is automatically added to their virtual cart.
• Cashier-Less Transactions: With the help of IoT, Amazon Go enables cashier-less transactions. Customers simply leave the store, and their total bill is automatically charged to their Amazon account, eliminating the need for physical checkout counters.
• Enhanced Convenience: The IoT-driven retail experience at Amazon Go enhances convenience for customers. They can shop without waiting in long checkout lines, making the entire process faster and more efficient.
• Frictionless Shopping: By removing friction points in the shopping journey, such as waiting in lines or manually scanning items, Amazon Go provides a frictionless shopping experience that prioritizes speed and ease of use.
• Walmart’s IoT Inventory Management
• Real-Time Inventory Tracking: Walmart utilizes IoT-enabled devices like RFID tags and sensors to track inventory levels in real time across its stores. This technology helps monitor stock levels, identify low inventory, and optimize restocking processes.
• Shelf Life Monitoring: IoT in Walmart’s inventory management system also includes monitoring the shelf life of perishable items. This ensures that products are sold before expiration, reducing waste and improving profitability.
• Optimized Restocking: By leveraging IoT data, Walmart can optimize restocking processes based on demand patterns and inventory levels. This results in shelves consistently being stocked with popular items, reducing out-of-stock situations.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Walmart’s IoT-driven inventory management approach is data-driven. The insights gathered from IoT devices enable informed decision-making regarding inventory management strategies, pricing, and product placement.
• Improved Customer Experience: The efficient inventory management facilitated by IoT translates into an improved customer experience. Customers can find products they need readily available, leading to higher satisfaction levels and repeat business.

Smart Cities

Smart cities use IoT technology to make cities better. They save energy and make services like electricity better. For example, in Barcelona, they use smart grids and systems to save energy and give power to people more efficiently. This helps save money and makes the environment cleaner.

• Barcelona’s Smart City Initiatives:

Smart Lighting Systems:

• Barcelona has deployed IoT-enabled smart lighting systems that adjust brightness levels based on real-time data.
• These systems not only save energy but also enhance public safety by ensuring well-lit streets and public spaces.

Smart Waste Management:

• The city has implemented smart waste bins equipped with sensors to optimize waste collection routes.
• This initiative has improved waste management efficiency, reduced operational costs, and increased recycling rates.

Smart Transportation Solutions:

• Barcelona utilizes IoT technologies for smart traffic management and parking solutions.
• Commuters benefit from reduced congestion, shorter commute times, and real-time updates on public transportation options.

Environmental Impact:

• By integrating IoT into various city services, Barcelona has reduced its environmental footprint.
• Initiatives like smart energy usage and waste management contribute to a more sustainable urban environment.
• Singapore’s IoT Urban Solutions:

Smart Energy Grid:

• Singapore has implemented a smart energy grid that leverages IoT for real-time monitoring and predictive analytics.
• This has led to reduced energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and increased energy efficiency.

Water Management Systems:

• IoT sensors are used for monitoring water quality, detecting leaks, and optimizing water distribution.
• These smart water management systems contribute to sustainable water usage and conservation efforts.

Smart Mobility Solutions:

• Singapore’s smart transportation initiatives include autonomous vehicles and IoT-enabled public transit systems.
• Commuters experience improved accessibility, safety, and efficiency in their daily travels.

Digital Infrastructure:

• The city’s robust digital infrastructure supports the seamless integration of IoT technologies across sectors.
• This infrastructure backbone facilitates data-driven decision-making and enhances overall urban management.

Citizen Engagement:

• Singapore actively involves citizens in shaping smart city initiatives through digital platforms and participatory programs.
• This engagement fosters a sense of ownership, collaboration, and innovation in building a smart and livable city.

Energy Sector:

The energy sector has changed a lot with IoT tech, making things work better and greener. One big change is smart grids. These grids use IoT sensors and data to watch how we use energy, find problems in the grid, and send power where it’s needed most. Tesla is one company leading this change, helping us use more renewable energy and less fossil fuels.

• Tesla’s Renewable Energy IoT:

Powerwall for Home Energy Storage:

• The Powerwall is an IoT-enabled home battery system designed to store solar energy.
• It integrates IoT technology to optimize energy usage based on real-time data.
• Users can monitor their energy consumption and production through a mobile app.

Solar Roof with IoT Sensors:

• Tesla’s Solar Roof tiles incorporate IoT sensors to monitor energy production and efficiency.
• These sensors provide real-time data on solar energy generation and consumption.
• Homeowners can track their energy usage patterns and make adjustments for energy conservation.

Smart Grid Integration:

• Tesla’s renewable energy solutions are integrated with smart grid technology for efficient energy management.
• IoT devices enable communication between renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and the grid.
• This integration allows for dynamic load balancing, grid stability, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
• Shell’s IoT in Oil & Gas Industry:

Remote Monitoring of Oil Wells:

• Shell utilizes IoT sensors to remotely monitor oil well performance and detect anomalies.
• Real-time data collection enables predictive maintenance and proactive interventions.
• This IoT-driven approach reduces downtime and optimizes oil production efficiency.

Predictive Maintenance for Equipment:

• IoT sensors on equipment such as pumps, turbines, and valves provide insights into performance.
• Predictive analytics algorithms analyze data to forecast potential equipment failures.
• Shell can schedule maintenance activities proactively, minimizing downtime and costly repairs.

Safety Enhancement with IoT:

• Shell integrates IoT devices for safety monitoring in hazardous environments.
• Sensors detect gas leaks, temperature fluctuations, and other safety hazards.
• Real-time alerts and automated response systems improve safety protocols and mitigate risks.

Data Analytics for Operational Efficiency:

• Shell leverages IoT-generated data for advanced analytics and operational insights.
• Data-driven decision-making optimizes production processes and resource allocation.
• IoT-enabled analytics contribute to cost savings, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

In conclusion, over the last ten years, many industries have changed a lot by using IoT tech. This includes healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, retail, smart cities, and energy. Companies like Pfizer, Siemens, FedEx, John Deere, Amazon, Barcelona, Tesla, and Shell showed how IoT can make things better. They used IoT to work smarter, make customers happier, and create new ideas. This shows that in the future, IoT will keep making life and business better for everyone.

• Q. What are IoT case studies?

IoT case studies showcase real-world applications of Internet of Things technologies in various industries.

• Q. How can IoT benefit businesses?

IoT can optimize operations, enhance efficiency, improve customer experiences, and drive innovation.

• Q. Which industries are leveraging IoT?

Healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, retail, smart cities, and energy sectors are adopting IoT solutions.

• Q. What are some notable IoT companies?

Companies like Pfizer, Siemens, FedEx, John Deere, Amazon, Barcelona, Tesla, and Shell are leading the IoT revolution.

• Q. What does the future hold for IoT?

The future of IoT promises a more connected, efficient, and technologically empowered world across industries.

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The top 10 IoT Use Cases

• Adoption of various Internet of Things (IoT) use cases is on the rise, according to the latest 2021 IoT Use Case Adoption report .
• Of the 200+ companies from various industries interviewed, the average company has adopted eight different IoT use cases to date (out of a total of 48).
• IoT use cases related to the smart operations of a company are the most adopted, followed by smart supply chain use cases and use cases involving connected IoT products.
• Read-only remote asset monitoring is the most widely adopted use case (34% of companies interviewed have adopted it).

Why it matters?

• With various IoT topics prioritized by organizations post-COVID, getting a feel for what is hot and what is not is important for both vendors and IoT adopters.
• Vendors should prioritize those use cases that yield a high return on investment (ROI) and those that are on the investment priority list in the coming years.
• IoT adopters can learn from the best practices and examples of existing users to prevent costly mistakes.

The IoT Use Case Adoption Report 2021

In 2021, the average large manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, retail, or energy company has rolled out eight different IoT use cases, according to IoT Analytics’ latest IoT Use Case Adoption Report .

The 430-page report, which is part of IoT Analytics’ ongoing market coverage of IoT applications, is the first such in-depth report and is based on 200+ interviews with IoT end users who have rolled out more than 1,600 IoT projects over the last few years across 48 different IoT use cases. The report shows where companies have been investing and are planning to invest, which industries and regions are ahead, and which use cases promise the highest ROI.

Oil and gas companies and energy companies are ahead of others. They have rolled out an average of 15 use cases. Make no mistake: For many companies, IoT is still a small fraction of their business. The average company we interviewed had $9.6 billion in revenue and only currently spends $33 million on IoT use cases (0.34% of the revenue). The fact that the top use case today has only been adopted by 34% of respondents (but with a predominantly positive ROI) shows how much bigger the IoT opportunity is.

Note: The report looks at IoT use cases that are applicable to most organizations and does not consider industry-specific use cases such as smart heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) (applicable only to buildings) or smart transportation systems (applicable to cities). The analysis also does not consider consumer IoT use cases such as Smart Home devices or wearables. For a broader analysis of enterprise IoT applications, see this analysis from 2020. For a deep dive on Smart City IoT use cases, see this an a lysis . A deep dive on Smart Building use cases will be published later this year.

The 10 most adopted IoT Use Cases

Six of the top 10 IoT use cases today (ranked by adoption) aim at making operations smart, thus improving companies’ production processes for manufacturing, enhancing maintenance operations, or advancing any other operations (e.g., energy generation in the case of an energy company, running healthcare operations in the case of a hospital, or running store operations in the case of a retail company). Three of the top 10 use cases are related to smart supply chains, and only one is related to smart products in the field.

Here are the 10 most adopted use cases, ranked by their adoption rate:

1. Read-only Remote Asset Monitoring

Not surprisingly, the simplest IoT use case is also the most adopted. Read-only remote asset monitoring refers to assets that are connected from afar in a read-only manner (i.e., one can visualize the asset data, but one cannot send back any commands to the asset itself). This use case is one of the easiest and cheapest to set up due to its simplicity. In many cases, remote asset monitoring supersedes the error-prone and costly manual task of checking and documenting asset states in person. Adoption in 2020 was clearly accelerated by the pandemic and is expected to grow even further, as 36% of interviewees say they plan to invest significantly in this use case in the next two years.

Adopter’s quote

“In the future, our engineers and plant operations staff will not need to sit in cars to go from their office location to another sub-station or satellite equipment room to perform daily routine activities. Routine read-only activities could be done more frequently, which could indirectly contribute to the reliability of control systems.” Senior operations manager of a mining company in Qatar

Implementation example

Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd. , located near Pune, India, adopted remote asset monitoring for its PET and can-bottling lines. T https://aiplindia.com/case-study/ he real-time and continuous monitoring of critical parameters (e.g., syrup flow rate, can-rinse pressure, and water temperature) replaced its MS Excel-based manual reporting. In this specific case, the company combined the remote connectivity of its assets with a condition-monitoring use case that generates alarms based on predefined conditions.

| Use case definition (by IoT Analytics)

Remote Asset Monitoring (read-only) = Real-time, one-way data streaming from machinery/equipment to an offsite location (e.g., cloud), making data accessible from anywhere.

2. IoT-based Process Automation

IoT-based process automation has been rolled out by 33% of companies. This type of process automation describes operational processes that were either entirely manual in the past or relied on antiquated, industrial-automation setups but have now been upgraded with state-of-the-art hardware and software. Companies that introduce this use case to upgrade their existing setups often do so to add flexibility and agility in the operations process so that specific process steps can be changed in the future. This becomes important because companies are increasingly interested in aligning their manufacturing and operations processes to ever-changing customer demands.

“Our manufacturing processes used to have many paper-based steps involved. IoT process automation has reduced many of these paper-based processes, resulting in a reduction in the number of errors, labour cost and real-time access to data.” CIO of a food and beverage manufacturer in Canada

An Australian farmer , reported he was able to use 20% less water thanks to a new IoT-based irrigation system supplied by Lindsay , a US-based manufacturer of pivot-irrigation systems. Farmers increasingly adopt smart IoT-based irrigation systems to automate the process of irrigation and thereby enhance their crop yields.

IoT-based Process Automation = The use of real-time data from connected assets to improve an entire operational process (e.g., a manufacturing process).

3. Remote Asset Monitoring and Control (read/write)

“Read/Write remote asset monitoring and control” is the extension of “Read-only remote asset monitoring.” On top of “reading” the assets data, with this setup one can also communicate back and thereby influence asset control from afar (i.e., “writing” data back).

Just like the read-only asset monitoring use case, this use case was accelerated by the COVID -19 pandemic as service teams, engineers, and other staff needed to find ways to reach an asset that needed their attention while being in a different location.

Because of the added complexity and security risk of controlling an asset, on top of just simply monitoring, this use case comes with significantly higher costs of installation and maintenance. However, it has been proven that such solutions pay off in a relatively short time: Of those decision makers whom IoT Analytics interviewed, 51% reported amortization in less than 24 months.

“Remote monitoring and control of freezers has saved costly materials before being ruined.” Research and development (R&D) manager of a manufacturing company in UK

Schlumberger , an oilfield service company, recently adopted a monitoring and control solution from Advantech and ReStream . These companies had partnered up to supply and develop a new oilfield fluid-monitoring system based on LTE connectivity. The project helped to achieve flow assurance, ensure asset integrity, and optimize production. It also helped to increase labor safety. Oilfield companies suffer from a dynamic chemical environment that, if unchecked, can lead to premature wear, lost productivity, and the release of lethal poisonous gases.

Remote Asset Monitoring and Control (read/write) = Real-time, two-way data streaming of machinery/equipment from/to an offsite location, enabling data access and the sending of commands from anywhere.

4. Vehicle Fleet Management (track/trace)

The management of vehicles in a fleet is the number one IoT supply chain use case right now. The larger the fleet of trucks (or other means of transport) to manage, the higher the complexity. Cross-border fleet management can be especially overwhelming, which is why 31% of companies have rolled out a professional vehicle fleet management solution to gather real-time information.

Today, most fleet management solutions are reliant on wide-area connectivity, such as cellular (2G, 3G, 4G). Several new, low-cost IoT satellite technologies have recently been launched and promise to add another option to this use case so that vehicle fleets are always truly connected at a reasonable price. New companies include Hiber (IoT-focused satellite network) and Starlink (part of SpaceX). Both plan to send thousands of new satellites into space in the coming years to provide low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity globally.

“Now we know virtually in real time where our wagons are located, which routes we can optimize, and where there is potential for savings for our customers.” Suzy Verachten, project leader, Lineas (European Rail Freight Operator)

Lineas , the largest private rail freight operator in Europe, managed to increase capacity utilization of its fleet by more than 40 percent by implementing the Bosch fleet management solution.

Vehicle Fleet Management (track/trace) = Tracking and tracing the location of individual vehicles either on site while in transit or as general fleet management.

5. Location Tracking (e.g., GPS)

Not every company sells smart-connected IoT products, but of those that do, tracking the location of the asset is the number one use case (31% of companies in our interview set have adopted it). The results from this interview series are in line with results from the IoT Commercialization & Business Model Report 2020 , which found that geolocalization was also the number one use case in terms of customer adoption when original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) were asked which smart product features their end customers were adopting as part of their IoT-enabled assets. Location tracking is therefore important for developing a successful IoT business model .

Tracking the location of an asset can be beneficial to both the vendor of the products (e.g., by understanding usage patterns) and to the user (e.g., by finding a lost item or by mitigating theft).

“Connectivity means we can monitor distance covered, send service alerts, or lock the bike remotely. Things become even more interesting when we mesh this data with other transport data. If we can map the routes of thousands of cyclists, could we help urban planners develop better cycling infrastructure?” Taco Carlier, co-founder, VanMoof

VanMoof, an Amsterdam-based e-bike manufacturer, offers an anti-theft service to its customers that is based on the location tracking of a bike. For a monthly fee, the company sends its “bike hunters” if a customer’s bike is stolen. The bikes are connected and tracked by a combination of Bluetooth and cellular networks. This allows the company to keep its promise of recovering the bike in up to 70% of cases.

Location Tracking (e.g., GPS) = Tracking product location to determine its movement and geographic position.

6. IoT for Asset/Plant Performance Optimization

Asset performance management (APM) is a term in manufacturing to describe methods of capturing and integrating data, visualizing it, and analyzing it to improve the reliability and availability of physical plant–floor assets. IoT for asset/plant performance optimization is the modern version of APM. It integrates state-of-the-art data-capture and integration tools (like IoT gateways) and software tools (like IoT platforms) to analyze how assets can be run and maintained at optimum levels (e.g., optimized asset speed settings, optimized material input settings, or optimized maintenance intervals).

More than 30% of companies in our interview set have adopted IoT for asset/plant performance optimization. With 42% of companies planning to invest significantly in IoT for this purpose, it is among the use cases with the highest expected growth rate.

“The use of IoT for plant performance optimization has been a success since it now allows us to run our CHP power utilities at optimal levels based on variable fuel mix and plant loads for steam and power.” CEO, manufacturing: chemicals and chemical products , India

A beverage manufacturer that was running mostly older equipment used an IoT solution provided by Relayr in one of its bottling plants, which produces 1.2 million bottles per day per production line. It achieved improvements of 11% in performance and 8% in quality. Implementing an IoT retrofit kit and an IoT gateway, the company was able to identify the processes responsible for 90% of the plant’s downtime. Based on the IoT data collected from the legacy machinery of different manufacturers, the company was able to address several issues (e.g., changing the control logic of the machines).

IoT for Asset/Plant Performance Optimization = The use of real-time data from connected assets to optimize individual asset health for better operations performance at a site.

7. IoT- based Quality Control & Management

IoT-based quality control and management involves the use of machine vision or other IoT sensor data to detect quality issues in real time during operations. The use case pays off particularly quickly: Of the 30% of companies that have implemented this IoT use case, two-thirds report amortization in fewer than 24 months.

“We can now tell quickly if the environmental parameters are not quite right at some point, either within the paint shop or in one of the buffer areas. It takes a lot of data to do this, which we collect throughout the process, evaluate historically and analyse in real time” Martin Hilt, innovation and digitalization officer at BMW

A leading global automobile manufacturer automated the testing of the electronic functionality of its cars during the manufacturing process. As the company was adding greater electronic functionality to the cars to stay current with technological developments, it was looking to find ways to optimize its time-consuming, manual method of checking the operation of electronic parts. With the help of Cognizant , the company was able to completely automate vehicle testing and also implement a mixed-mode validation to simulate missing parts that would arrive late due to unforeseen supply chain issues. The solution realized a positive return on investment in four months.

IoT- based Quality Control & Management = The use of IoT sensor data or machine vision to monitor operational process parameters and detect faults (in real time) with the goal of reducing scrap/rework.

8. IoT-based goods condition monitoring in transit

Monitoring the conditions of goods is essential in industries such as pharmaceuticals or food and beverage and can even be seen as a way to help tackle the global food shortage. Temperature sensor data is one of the most important sensor values for this use case; it guarantees the safety of the final product by close monitoring throughout the entire supply chain, both in transit and in storage.

Condition-monitoring solutions were used by 29% of the interviewed decision makers as part of their digital supply chain initiatives.

“The assessment [of goods in transit] was an eye-opener, because we never looked at supply chain risk holistically before. Now we know where the risks are.” An D’haenens, logistics manager EMEA, DuPont

A global life sciences company worked with DHL to enable pallets with smart sensors. The sensors are equipped with low-power wide-area (LPWA) connectivity and track geographic location, movement, delay, shock, and temperature. This ability has enabled the life science company to reduce its life-cycle costs by 6 to 7%, with reported reliability of nearly 100%.

IoT-based goods condition monitoring in transit = The use of IoT sensor data to monitor the condition of transported goods and ensure they remain safe and are not exposed to the wrong temperatures or shocks.

9. Predictive Maintenance

To forecast the remaining useful life of assets and ensure they are repaired before they fail, 29% of all companies have invested in solutions at the intersection of artificial intelligence and maintenance. As IoT Analytics highlighted in a recent blog post, predictive maintenance (PdM) is an en vogue topic, with 40% of interviewed decision makers planning to invest significant amounts of money in the coming two years.

“PdM enabled us to actively monitor highly critical assets, provided us with multiple feeds of various data points (temp, vibration, throughput), allowed [us] to perform analysis of the asset health in real time, and helped us to prevent the need [for] reactive maintenance actions for critical assets.” IT director at an Oil&Gas company in the United States

Colgate-Palmolive Company , a US-based consumer goods manufacturer, leveraged a predictive maintenance solution to optimize its manufacturing capacity and prevent costly downtime. It installed wireless sensors on 2,000 machines (including tube makers and liquid machines) to collect machine data. The predictive maintenance solution detected increased temperatures and alerted staff, thereby preventing nearly 200 hours of downtime and a missing output of 2.8 million tubes of toothpaste.

Predictive Maintenance = The use of real-time IoT sensor data and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to determine when maintenance should be performed on specific equipment.

10. On-Site Track and Trace

The availability of low-cost sensors and trackers has made it easy and relatively cheap to track goods and tools at construction sites, ports, and even inside buildings (e.g., factories). Of the experts interviewed, 29% have implemented such a solution. The median spending for a fully functional, on-site track-and-trace solution (in our interview set) is only $25,000—one of the lowest in the data set. Costs can scale up, however, as more and more assets get connected.

“Having On-Site Track & Trace has improved our efficiency [and] reduced labor time for tracking items (we have almost 1,000 stock-keeping units). We are now also able to check stock balances in real time.” Head of IT at a retailer in Singapore

Continental , a German automotive supplier, implemented KINEXON’S real-time locating solution at its logistics center and production site in Regensburg. More than 50 transportation vehicles and more than 3,000 load carriers are tracked live inside the 30,000 m² building sites, allowing Continental to locate each of these items within a precision of several centimeters (inches), thereby creating a transparent material flow in the supply chain and increasing overall throughput.

On-Site Track and Trace = Tracking and tracing goods while on site (e.g., at production sites, ports, logistics centers, or warehouses).

More information and further reading

Are you interested in learning more about iot use cases.

The IoT Use Case Adoption Report 2021 is a comprehensive 430-page report examining the adoption of 48 IoT use cases across 4 types: smart operations, smart supply chain, connected products, and connected transport. It includes the adoption (by region/country, industry), a detailed breakdown of spending, ROI per use case, key vendors & vendor satisfaction, as well as best practices and lessons learnt. It is part of IoT Analytics’ ongoing coverage of IoT in general .

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This report provides answers to the following questions (among others):

• What are the most adopted IoT use cases (out of a list of 48 use cases)?
• Which IoT use cases have the highest ROI?
• How much do companies spend to implement IoT use cases?
• How much do they spend on hardware, software and services respectively?
• Which IoT use cases do companies plan to invest in in the next 2 years?
• Who are the leading vendors for IoT use cases and how satisfied are end-users?
• What supporting technologies do IoT end-users implement as part of their IoT use case projects?
• What are the best practices and lessons learned of companies that have adopted the IoT?
• And more…

The sample of the report gives you a holistic overview of the available analysis (outline, key slides). The sample also provides additional context on the topic and describes the methodology of the analysis. You can download the sample here :

Related articles

You may also be interested in the following recent articles:

• State of IoT 2021: Number of connected IoT devices growing 9% to 12.3 billion globally, cellular IoT now surpassing 2 billion
• IoT technology market attractiveness: Where to invest going into 2022
• Top 10 IoT applications in 2020
• The top 10 Smart City use cases that are being prioritized now
• How to create a successful IoT business model – insights from early innovators
• Predictive Maintenance Market: The Evolution from Niche Topic to High ROI Application

Are you interested in continued IoT coverage and updates?

Subscribe to our  newsletter  and follow us on  LinkedIn  and  Twitter  to stay up-to-date on the latest trends shaping the IoT markets. For complete enterprise IoT coverage with access to all of IoT Analytics’ paid content & reports including dedicated analyst time check out   Enterprise subscription . 

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IoT in Manufacturing: Top Use Cases and Case Studies

Updated May 17, 2021

Within this article, we’ll be discussing practical IoT applications in manufacturing and use cases of industrial IoT technology in manufacturing

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IoT represents a digital transformation in manufacturing processes and business operations. Using it alongside an advanced machine data platform can be transformational. And there are many benefits of IoT in manufacturing:

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IoT in Manufacturing Use Cases [+Case Studies]

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When Sony proposed mSafety with connectivity from Telenor IoT, we seized the opportunity based on LTE-M's connectivity and battery life benefits. It is also very important that our connectivity provider has global roaming capabilities. LTE-M is the state of the art, offering carrier-grade machine-to- machine network connectivity.

We were looking for a partner to provide plug & play global connectivity. Telenor IoT has also guided us with technical decisions. Overall, this has helped focus our development resources to deliver a world-class application for our customers. Trusting Telenor's robust global connectivity is important for our application.

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IoT Applications for Smart Cities

Sensors, gateways, and cloud together contribute to iot applications for smart cities making them greener and connected, thus improving citizen participation whilst reducing costs. read on to see how., the iot revolution.

The World is seeing the dawn of a new industrial revolution, arriving on the wings of wireless communications and fostered by the rise of connected objects. Today, it is widely known as the “Internet of Things” (IoT).

The concept of Smart Cites has caught the imagination of policy makers, governments and the industry like never before. The world of sensors, gateways and cloud applications is transforming the entire landscape of management and control at the disposal of an organization that has assets in remote offices and dispersed areas. Many industries and countries have already benefitted tremendously from IoT applications.

Large cities have thousands of public buildings, each with its own energy patterns, air quality issues and sensor devices. It can be challenging for managers to identify those which are operating efficiently, and those that are not. An IoT platform is required that is flexible and easy to use, generating alerts when something is not right. It needs to provide user-friendly apps such that building managers can take actions in real-time to optimize resource consumption and keep building occupants safe and comfortable. It must be able to connect to any internet connected device, collect data and manage the device.

Enablers of the new Capability

Sensors and Analytics are at the heart of the IoT revolution. The proliferation of Sensors is driven by the creativity and innovation in the area as also the rate at which the cost of sensors has declined and is forecast to continue.

Sensors are assisted by Gateways, which are responsible for capturing the sensor data and transmit it to the Internet based application. The significant enhancement in bandwidth and coverage of mobile networks, together with declining costs per MB, are making it possible to haul massive amounts of data over huge distances. The GSMA ESIM is making possible an always-on connection, providing mission critical connectivity by the use of industrial grade SIMs that are able to automatically select the best available network.

The availability of inexpensive and on demand computing power, together with disruptions in real time machine learning and analytics are the engines for creating actionable insights from the “trillions of bytes” generated by the billions of connected objects. These nerve centres can analyse incoming data from Sensors located thousands of miles away to provide real time monitoring, control and action.

Impact Areas

The IoT capability provides the industry and governments tremendous opportunities for improving the environment whilst enhancing value in these areas:

• Energy Management
• Environment Control
• Remote Monitoring
• Machine Control
• Service Uptime
• User Comfort

Solution Overview

Sensorise has integrated frugal yet powerful technology components to ready a selection of Sensors, Gateway, IoT platforms and Web and Mobile Apps that enable the deployment of connected services quickly and cheaply. It gives utilities and municipal authorities real-time visualization of resources used by public buildings: energy & water consumption, distributed renewables production and indoor air quality. The platform bridges disparate building management systems with a common database. A powerful orchestration engine offers information and control to different processing components, services and building devices. Forecasting, decision support and remote control features (i.e. Demand Response) allow optimal resource planning on the fly. All the processing components and services are integrated on an industry-standard service bus. It is specially designed as a replicable and modular tool that takes into account the heterogeneity of resource management systems across city buildings. The platform includes robust data encryption layers, as well as a standardized API for third party tools integration. The Cloud application implements a GUI based configurable Business Rules engine, that makes it possible for the business to implement real time and automated control actions, whilst also providing real time alerts and notifications to the Strategy, Operations and Service Teams.

Energy Management Functions The solution has the following specialised energy management functions:

• A Smart City database, capable of providing secure and real time access to data from varied infrastructure from different end points in a city
• Data Models to forecast short-term energy consumptions and productions based on Artificial Intelligence technologies
• A de-centralized energy decision support system for a central control. A new approach to data analysis and aggregation with a two level decision support: a) for Energy Companies and authorized third parties, and b) for citizens.
• Generic advises in Demand Response with alarms and notifications to any type of mobile device, and tools that can perform almost direct demand control of a large amount of heterogeneous energy consuming devices
• An energy simulation framework that supports “virtual units” (such as batteries, EV charging stations and other distributed resources) inside the decision support system to analyse and understand the effect of the current energy situation of the city in terms of consumption, production, CO2 emissions, etc.
• A virtual ‘energy market network’ that supports different
• energy exchange models at city level
• A business model framework created on the concept of dynamic network of actors such as energy providers, service providers, information providers, etc. that supports contractual demand control schemes, dynamic multi-tariffs, opportunities for load shifting, load shedding, storage utilization, prioritization of renewable energy, etc.
• Business Analysis tools that demonstrate to the energy provider the economic attractiveness of Smart Energy Management Systems and the IoT infrastructure in terms of shifting and optimizing load on the grid, aligning the demand with needs and prices, maximizing the use of renewable energy sources, and balance electricity load without adversely affecting grid stability.
• Tools to allow consumers to actively engage in the ‘energy market’ with inputs of their supply and demand at the personal as well as at the community level
• Analytics that facilitate “virtual” energy exchange between consumers and producers in the community enabling the construction and efficiency of renewable energy sources in the community
• Define a methodology for (I) citizen empowerment (II) municipality engagement (III) energy companies and (IV) construction parties in participative decision-making

Sharad Arora, Ex-Director, Sensorise Digital Services Pedro Espinel, Director of Global Sales, Sensing & Control Systems S.L.

White Paper – IoT Applications for Smart Cities ©Sensorise Digital Services Private Limited, Sensing & Control Systems S.L., 2016. All Rights Reserved.

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What is IoT Technology and Its Applications?

IoT Technology and Its Applications

The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a transformative technology, revolutionizing industries and reshaping our daily lives.

Projected to grow at a remarkable 22% CAGR , the IoT market is poised to reach an impressive $525 billion valuation by 2027, propelled by technological advancements.

The widespread availability of computer chips and wireless networks has facilitated the integration of virtually any device—whether a household appliance or a commercial aircraft—into the IoT ecosystem.

Read on as we discuss IoT technology, its significance, and key applications across various sectors. Let’s start!

Table of Content:

1.  IoT Technology: A Brief

2.  Importance of IoT Technology

3.  What Are IoT Applications in Different Areas

• Smart Homes and Home Automation
• Healthcare Monitoring and Remote Patient
• Industrial Automation and Predictive Maintenance
• Smart Cities for Efficient Infrastructure Management
• Agriculture for Precision Farming and Crop
• Transportation and Logistics
• Energy Management
• Retail for Personalized Customer Experience

4.   The Future of IoT Applications

IoT Technology: A Brief

The Internet of Things (IoT) represents a dynamic platform where various embedded devices are connected to the  Internet to collect and exchange data. This technology enables machines to interact, collaborate, and learn from experiences like humans seamlessly. 

In essence, IoT is a network of Internet-linked devices, appliances, and vehicles that can collect and share data without requiring human interaction. 

IoT applications not only equip billions of objects with connectivity and intelligence but also have significant implications across various industries and sectors.

Today, a variety of IoT-enabled devices are readily available, including laptops, smartphones, refrigerators, Apple Watches, Fitbits, and beyond. Any device can seamlessly integrate into the IoT ecosystem, provided it is equipped with internet connectivity and sensors.

Importance of IoT Technology

In recent years, IoT has emerged as a transformative force and technology, revolutionizing the way devices, systems, and people interact and communicate. 

The technology makes it easy for individuals, procedures, and objects to  continuously interact  with each other. This is possible because  of its ability to  connect commonplace items such as automobiles, household appliances, thermostats, and baby monitors to the  internet  via embedded technology.

IoT enhances users’ lifestyles and productivity with the help of IoT-based devices like thermostats, automobiles, smartwatches, and beyond, enabling smarter living and working experiences. F or instance, when you reach home from outside, your thermostat can be adjusted to a preset temperature of your choice. 

Apart from offering consumers smart IoT-embedded devices to automate their homes, the IoT is significantly impacting businesses as well. It provides businesses with real-time insight into how their systems work, offering deeper insights into processes.

What Are IoT Applications in Different Areas?

Here’s a snapshot of some key IoT applications across different sectors:

1.  Smart Homes and Home Automation

In smart homes, IoT technology enables the integration of various devices and systems to enhance convenience, security, and energy efficiency.

Examples of IoT applications in smart homes include:

• Smart Lighting:   IoT-enabled light bulbs that can be controlled remotely or automatically adjusted based on occupancy or ambient light levels.
• Thermostat Control:   Smart thermostats that learn user preferences and adjust temperature settings accordingly, leading to energy savings.
• Home Security:   IoT-based security cameras, door locks, and alarms that provide remote monitoring and real-time alerts.
• Appliance Automation:   IoT-connected appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, and washing machines that can be controlled and monitored via smartphone apps.

2.  Healthcare Monitoring and Remote Patient

The integration of smart wearables or sensors with IoT technology in healthcare represents a significant advancement.  These smart wearables connected to patients allow healthcare professionals to keep close track of a patient’s condition in real-time.

Key benefits of IoT technology in healthcare include:

• Real-time tracking of vital signs and health metrics through IoT-enabled devices, allowing for continuous remote monitoring of patients.
• Automatic alerts triggered by changes in patient’s vital signs facilitate proactive interventions and enhance patient safety, particularly for high-risk individuals.
• Utilization of real-time data monitoring and analysis to optimize patient care and reduce critical events among high-risk patients.

3.  Industrial Automation and Predictive Maintenance

Industrial IoT is transforming the industrial sector today by enabling better connectivity, automation, and data-driven decision-making. The various IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) applications here include inventory management, quality control, factory digitalization, safety and security, and supply chain management.

By efficiently connecting sensors, machines, and systems, IIoT enables real-time monitoring and control of industrial processes and also allows for predictive maintenance, thus optimizing machine performance and reducing downtime. 

4.  Smart Cities for Efficient Infrastructure Management

A smart city in this context is largely dependent on the seamless flow of information and actionable insights from real-time city data.

IoT technology plays a pivotal role in optimizing the following functions

• Enhanced public transport scheduling through smart GPS systems, ensuring timely and efficient services for commuters.
• Intelligent monitoring of traffic patterns to mitigate congestion and streamline commuting routes, thereby improving overall transportation efficiency.
• Utilization of sensors and RFIDs for effective management of civic amenities like waste recycling and segregation, promoting sustainable practices and resource management.

5.  Agriculture for Precision Farming and Crop

The increasing world population today drives up the rapid demand for agricultural products. As an industry, agriculture could massively benefit from the Internet of Things.

With the world’s human population estimated to grow to around 10 billion by 2050 , governments are also prioritizing the scaling up of agricultural systems.

IoT technology has catalyzed the following applications in agriculture:

• Smart irrigation systems represent a compelling IoT solution in agriculture, optimizing water usage by regulating irrigation based on real-time data. This proactive approach minimizes water waste resulting from human error, thereby conserving resources and improving crop yield.
• Smart sensors are used to offer details of soil chemistry and fertilizer profiles. Aspects such as moisture, temperature, and the presence of appropriate nutrients contribute to determining the quality of a harvest.

6.  Transportation and Logistics

In the transportation and logistics sector, industrial IoT applications can simplify and improve fleet management. For instance, real-time vehicle tracking helps reduce fuel consumption, optimise routes, and improve service delivery using drones. 

Additionally, predictive maintenance of vehicles can be done by monitoring their overall condition and performance, thus reducing instances of breakdowns and improving fleet efficiency.

7.  Energy Management

The most important advantage offered by IoT in energy management is its ability to reduce energy expenses. Adopting IoT in energy management systems can cut electricity consumption by over  1.6 petawatt-hours (PWH) in 2030  which is enough to power more than 150 million homes for a whole year.

Apart from improving the efficiency of the   electric power supply, the IoT energy management system can also provide several other advantages, including significant savings, better energy data administration, and improved security.

8.  Retail for Personalized Customer Experiences

In the retail industry, specifically, using IoT can make shopping fun and exciting for customers. The industry can use various IoT applications in different operations to make shopping a more streamlined experience for customers

Here are some of the ways retail players are using IoT technology:

• Handling Inventory: Smart shelves for handling inventory are one of the most common IoT in retail use cases. These are comprehensive devices that are designed to fulfill different tasks for supply chain and inventory optimization.
• Reducing Instances of Shoplifting and Theft: With IoT-based RFID tags and weight security sensors for retail stores, store managers can get real-time notifications and updates to reduce instances of shoplifting and theft.
• Automated Checkouts: Long lines have always been an obstacle for a customer when purchasing products at a retail store. IoT devices can address this by substituting humans and delivering a much better experience with mobile POS (point-of-sale) terminals. As soon as a customer leaves the store, the system reads tags on each item and conducts a payment operation.

The Future of IoT Applications

Studies show that by 2030, IoT devices will make up  75% of all gadgets , and the overall spending on IoT in 2023 will cross a phenomenal $1 trillion. These numbers clearly reflect the promising future of Internet of Things technology and its immense potential.

As the IoT continues to evolve, it will significantly impact industries and society at large. In the future, IoT applications will drive an increasing number of devices, leading to a strengthened economy and a fast-evolving way of life. This  also means that embracing IoT is the only way to unlock new opportunities and drive innovation in the digital age.

For students, industry professionals, and academics alike, the IoT offers diverse applications across sectors to propel career advancement. However, utilising its full potential begins with acquiring the necessary knowledge and skill sets in this dynamic field.

The best place to start your IoT journey is IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology. At IEEE, you can explore a wide range of  IoT courses  and other important resources to embrace the endless possibilities of IoT and continue your learning journey to unlock its full potential. 

1. What is IoT and its applications?

IoT is a platform where various embedded devices are connected to the Internet to collect and exchange data. The IoT finds applications in private and public aspects of life, including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, retail, transportation, and more.

2. What are the top 5 applications of IoT?

Among the top 5 applications of IoT are integrating smarter homes, innovating agriculture, building smarter cities, transforming healthcare, and revolutionizing wearables.

3.  How would you describe applications of IoT?

The real-world applications of IoT are the use cases that are already making a difference in day-to-day lives for the better. When coupled with other disruptive technologies such as robotics, and machine learning, the IoT completely changes the way we live and do business. 

4. What is the smart application in IoT?

Smart applications seamlessly integrate with Internet of Things (IoT) devices, thus allowing users to control and monitor connected devices for better efficiency and convenience.

5. What is the future application of IoT?

In the future, IoT and artificial intelligence are expected to reach even more industries and business processes to help automate manual tasks, reduce downtime and overall costs, and increase efficiency.

6.  What are the benefits of IoT?

The benefits of IoT include improved efficiency, enhanced productivity, and cost savings across various industries. IoT enables real-time monitoring, automation, and data-driven decision-making, leading to optimized operations and better customer experiences.

7.   What is the biggest use of IoT?

The biggest use of IoT is in the realm of smart home technology, where IoT devices like smart speakers, thermostats, cameras, and lights are interconnected to provide convenience, energy efficiency, and home automation capabilities.

8. How is IoT used in daily life?

IoT is used in daily life in various ways, such as smart home devices (like smart speakers and thermostats), wearable fitness trackers, connected cars with GPS and entertainment systems, remote health monitoring devices, and smart appliances.

9.  What are 10 common applications of IoT?

Here are ten common applications of IoT

• Smart home automation 
• Industrial automation and control 
• Connected vehicles and transportation systems 
• Healthcare monitoring and medical devices 
• Smart agriculture for precision farming 
• Energy management and smart grids 
• Environmental monitoring and conservation 
• Retail inventory management and supply chain optimization 
• Building automation for efficient operations 
• Public safety and surveillance applications

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IoT-Based Environmental Monitoring: Types and Use Cases

What Is IoT-Based Environmental Monitoring?

How IoT Technology Helps Enterprises to Go Green

Download our Industrial IoT White Paper

Set up your field devices to be configured, maintained, and diagnosed from a central location.

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IoT for Environmental Monitoring: 4 Essential Components

• Monitor the Environment : Environmental condition monitors across fields, industrial sites and water management systems require installed sensors as well as an information delivery system, such as Digi XBee wireless communication modules and sensor connectivity gateways . These connected devices gather and deliver critical information exactly where it is needed. 
• Measure Data : To measure environmental impact, these systems must make it possible to evaluate key data points that can indicate everything from water and chemical leaks to critical equipment failures. This data can be used by industrial operators and municipalities to measure their environmental footprint and take action to reduce waste, increase sustainability, manage valuable resources like water, and prevent environmental disasters.
• Catalog Data : The massive amounts of data collected from environmental monitoring stations around the globe cannot be overstated. There are global databases that catalog an enormous range of environmental data, such as the Microsoft Planetary Computer . Industrial sites and other enterprises, similarly, must utilize cloud and data center storage to catalog the gathered data for accessibility by business applications.
• Provide Actionable Insights from the Data and Analysis : The critical end game is actionable insights from data. Digi’s IoT solutions , integrated with cloud applications like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services, deliver data into complex software systems that enable personnel to gain those insights, get alerts and notifications, and take action.

Use Cases for IoT Environment Monitoring 

With IoT systems, we can connect and manage wireless devices across an industrial field or across the globe for environmental monitoring and management to support better decision making, environmental sustainability and a circular economy . Let’s explore some use cases that demonstrate how IoT can help the environment .  

Water Quality Monitoring

• Municipal water treatment monitoring
• Stormwater and groundwater monitoring
• Agricultural irrigation monitoring and control
• City water and drinking water quality monitoring

Air Quality Monitoring

• Carbon monoxide monitoring in homes and buildings
• Methane monitoring in agriculture and waste management
• Ambient air quality monitoring for pollutants, lead and toxic particulates

Energy Monitoring

• Reduction in the use of fossil fuels in homes and businesses
• Stabilizing the power grid
• Preventing spikes in energy usage, and associated equipment failures and service disruption

Toxic Gas Detection

• Gas monitoring for safe management of toxic, flammable, or pyrophoric (spontaneously combustible in air) gases
• Monitoring of H2S or CO in refinery and petrochemical applications as well as parking garages and enclosed spaces such as warehouses
• Toxic gas detection for workplaces, to protect workers from toxic and corrosive gas exposure anywhere these substances may be present
• Monitoring for harmful gases in mining operations

Explore IoT-Based Environmental Monitoring Sensors and Solutions at Digi

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4 Use Cases of IoT in the Energy Industry

Currently, the energy market is undergoing strategic changes. These changes are focused on decarbonization, energy efficiency, the creation of new models of the digital energy market, and also the introduction of IoT technologies.

The Internet of Things (IoT) can be applied in the energy sector both for energy supply, transmission, distribution, and demand. Based on the experience we gained from developing digital solutions for our clients in the energy sector, we can confidently say that among the main benefits the energy sector can gain from IoT are better energy efficiency, reduction of the environmental effect of energy usage , higher percentage of renewable energy, and much more.

In view of these benefits, there is strong interest from investors in IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The global value of the IoT energy market is predicted to reach $ 35.2 billion by 2025 compared to $20.2 billion in 2020.

In short, the perspective of IoT application for energy is really promising. To see the big picture of this perspective, let’s review:

• the Internet of Things concept and how it benefits the energy market ;
• the most common use cases of IoT ; and
• challenges you may face when applying IoT for energy management.

Back to basics: what exactly is IoT and how does it work?

The Internet of Things is a new technology that uses the Internet to link physical devices. Therefore,  consider IoT as a collective network of linked devices and the technology that enables communication both between devices and the cloud, and between devices themselves.

This technology is used to create IoT systems and solutions. A typical IoT system operates by collecting and exchanging data in real-time. To make it possible, the IoT system should include:

• hardware like sensors, actuators, or other smart devices that are responsible for collecting data or controlling a particular mechanism;
• connectivity enabled by communication protocols or gateways that transmit all that data to the cloud or receive commands (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular technology such as LTE-4G and 5G networks);
• IoT cloud itself for data storage;
• data analytics software to analyze the data collected from the sensors and make decisions.
• IoT application to allow the end-user control the whole system, set preferences, add and set up devices, and so on.

  The IoT system works properly when it has all the mentioned components in place. In general, by applying IoT systems the energy businesses may achieve:

• Complete energy tracking and monitoring: as IoT sensors and devices gather data continually, interpret it, and deliver appropriate information based on the device, it allows organizations to identify and solve certain challenges and problems.
• Overall process automation : smart devices automate a lot of manual operations like collecting and analyzing data, thus allowing people to concentrate more on operations that occur after the processed data from IoT devices is received and analyzed.

Proactive maintenance: one of the biggest concerns of companies, maintenance involves sufficient cost spending that can be reduced by means of IoT – for example, IoT devices can analyze previous data to identify patterns and forecast potential problems or disasters with equipment.

Centralization of systems: IoT may offer centralized control and management of all corporate processes, including monitoring and tracking data, as well as delivering actionable measures whenever and wherever needed.

Enhanced efficiency: all the IoT possibilities from energy tracking to state-of-the-art analytics and maintenance improvements contribute greatly to improved energy efficiency.

For example, we developed an Information Energy Monitoring System for one of our clients, a web-based platform powered by IoT that helps local governments track energy consumption, improve energy efficiency and optimize spending.

Apart from an IoT module that allows managers to remotely track heat consumption and take readings from utility meters, the platform also assesses energy and water consumption efficiency and provides smart analytics. With this solution developed by our team, one region alone saves over $600,000 a year.

Now that we are on the same page about what IoT is and how it can improve the energy industry, let’s go into more details and talk about use cases of the Internet of Things in the energy sector.

Use cases of IoT applications in the energy sector

#1: iot application for the energy market and regulations, energy democratization.

Democratization of energy means providing the end-users access to electricity as well as the freedom to pick the source of power to the supplier. In this way, individuals directly participate in the energy network and can control their energy consumption. With greater focus on renewable energy sources like wind or solar, Europe energy crisis , and digital disruption of the whole energy sector we addressed in our previous articles, the concept of energy democracy is more real than ever before.

Among solutions that contributed greatly to energy democratization is Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy trading  . P2P energy trading systems enable energy sharing and trading within a community without the need for the conventional major utilities to act as a binding mediator. Users are not just consumers, but also “prosumers,” who generate their own energy from sources, like, for instance, rooftop solar panels and electric cars.

Among the technological enablers of P2P energy trading platforms are usually the Internet of Things and blockchain technologies. The Internet of Things is used to monitor and regulate energy export and consumption, as well as account power flows. Blockchain is applied to ensure safe and transparent transactions, and eliminate the need for a central authority. As a result, energy democratization can bring  benefits such as:

• eliminating the energy supply chain hierarchy, market power, and centralized supply;
• decentralization of the energy market, lower prices for energy consumers; and
• the creation of consumer awareness toward energy use and efficiency.

Virtual power plants

Virtual power plants (or simply VPP) are cloud-based systems, which integrate various energy resources in one place and run them on the energy market as a unified and flexible resource, or sell their power as a system reserve.

The ecosystem of the VPP may consist of solar plants, battery storage systems, wind turbines, electric vehicle charging stations, demand and response management centers, and smart meters. The fundamental hardware components of a VPP is the Internet of Things including smart meters, smart thermostats, and sophisticated management software.

Among the key participants involved are power utilities, renewable energy operators, energy producers and retailers, VPP operators, and building managers. The VPP’s participants connect to the VPP’s central control system by means of a remote control unit. The central control system effectively monitors, coordinates, and controls all assets.

Virtual Power Plants utilizing IoT

energycentral.com

Virtual Power Plants have the ability to optimize the profitability of asset owners while also balancing the grid. By means of demand and production forecasting, advanced metering, and computerized control, the plants can match load fluctuations, as well as optimize energy resources in real-time. As a result,  the benefits VPP can bring to the table include:

• ability of the small loads of supply to participate in competitive energy markets;
• assisting the system by decreasing load during peak hours;
• lowering the risk of high peak-hour power bills;
• improving the grid flexibility and minimizing the need for balancing assets; and
• providing profit to customers.

A number of world-known companies such as ABB, Siemens, General Electric, Cisco Systems, Bosch, Mitsubishi, and others are rigorously progressing in this industry. For example, in August 2020, the ABB company assisted Jibei Electric Power Co. Ltd., a Chinese utility state grid, in the construction of a VPP with smart distribution, coordination, and metering control modification.

#2: IoT application for the energy supply

Preventive and fault maintenance.

Perhaps the greatest potential of IoT in preventative and fault maintenance comes in monitoring remote energy assets. By analyzing big data collected through static and mobile sensors or cameras , IoT technology can provide fault, leakage, and fatigue monitoring. In addition, the IoT allows identifying failures and problems in energy networks and possibly fixing them virtually.

This helps not only to lower the risk of failure, production loss, and maintenance downtime but also reduces the cost of operation, prevents accidents, boosts safety and improves the reliability of service.

For example, Telcomsel IoT Envision is an end-to-end, IoT-based energy monitoring solution that provides real-time monitoring and failure mitigation to optimize energy consumption and reduce maintenance costs.

Energy storage and analytics

The growing emphasis on energy conservation is driving the worldwide intelligent energy storage systems market. The Internet of Things acts as the central nervous system for intelligent energy storage systems (ESS).

Let’s take, for example, the most sophisticated battery storage systems that employ lithium-based batteries. If the temperature of these batteries rises to a certain level, they can break or even catch fire. ESS fires, in particular, are a serious safety concern.

By connecting the ESS to the cloud by means of IoT technology, the equipment manufacturers or ESS operators can remotely monitor, manage, troubleshoot, and improve the operation and performance of these systems. For instance, IoT applications can enable them to remotely analyze the temperature and humidity of their ESSs. They may also gather data on how their ESS’s batteries charge and discharge. It guarantees that no battery cells are overcharged or over-discharged which boosts the performance of ESS  and ensures an optimal strategy for storage assets.

Digitalized power generation

While generating energy, energy producers today have to consider factors such as global warming and decreasing fuel stocks. In this light, applying IoT in energy generation, especially renewable fuel generation, may help significantly.

For example, sensors enable IoT devices to record and communicate data during the various stages of solar energy generation . In power plants, IoT-powered actuators turn energy into motion. To increase the energy generation, power plant hardware systems by means of IoT might be directed to align sunlight-harnessing solar panels optimally.

In general, IoT serves as a digital glue that holds the many operations and systems in a solar power generating plant together. Furthermore, it may be used for data analytics and accurate forecasting during energy generation.

#3: IoT application for energy grids

Smart grids.

As the old grid infrastructure ages and struggles to keep up with rising power consumption, governments around the world are focusing on implementing and integrating smart grid technologies. The International Energy Agency (IEA) believes that the IoT smart energy grid is crucial to achieving a safe, sustainable future.

The Internet of Things plays a critical role when talking about smart grids. As far as the technological and infrastructural components of the smart grid are mostly IoT-based, the Internet of Things is considered a major facilitator of the smart grids. So, what exactly is a smart grid?

A smart grid is an electricity network that consists of infrastructure, hardware, and software solutions . Unlike a typical grid with one-way communication, a smart grid involves many two-way interactions between all the elements and system participants. This results in an approach that enables a variety of scenarios for how generated energy can be moved and controlled.

A smart grid is frequently described as a self-sufficient distributed system able to generate energy from a variety of sources, including renewables and storage.

Integrated control of electric vehicle (EV) fleet

Electric vehicle (EV) fleet adoption has increased as the world strives to minimize carbon emissions and lower expenses. In addition to the typical fleet measures such as utilization, IoT suggests a completely new set of metrics for electric fleet systems such as charge status, charging session information, charge/discharge cycles, and much more.

An illustrative example of the benefits IoT can provide for EV vehicles is an IoT technology solution for electric vehicle monitoring developed by CONTUS . The solution provides battery usage data, charging reports, nearby charging stations alerts, route tracking, vehicle performance data, driver behavior data, and much more.

Source: contus.com

Vehicle to grid (V2G) management

Vehicle-to-grid is smart charging technology that allows electric car batteries to return electricity to the grid. V2G contributes to climate change mitigation by enabling the energy system to produce more and more renewable energy.

Although the basic notion of V2G charging is quite straightforward, its implementation needs to use a sophisticated suite of smart technologies. To analyze total system demand, the charging stations must be equipped with software that connects with the central grid. Here is where the Internet of Things can be helpful. IoT technology supports Vehicle-to-grid management by enabling the collecting, tracking, and analysis of various data to offer optimal interaction between the grid and electric vehicles.

The City of Nottingham, for example, decided to apply an IoT solution OpenRemote for V2G, battery storage and solar power management. The main goal is to empower the city’s energy management to optimize the usage of locally produced renewable energy while reducing carbon emissions and expenses related to EV charging.  As a result, the IoT solution applied provides the energy managers with complete analytics about the performance of solar power generation, the condition of electric fleet chargers, the charge state of vehicle batteries, and the financial and carbon savings achieved by implementing an optimization plan.

#4: IoT application for demand-side energy consumption management

Smart metering systems.

Commercial buildings in the United States consume 18% of all energy and contribute to 20% of greenhouse gas emissions . In this light, remodeling energy consumption and sustainability of the buildings is critical to reaching  global climate goals. IoT-powered metering systems can help to make energy consumption more efficient.

Smart metering systems are the substitute for traditional solutions for tracking electricity . This IoT system tracks energy consumption and provides a customer with information to reveal usage trends and peak times, as well as allowing the forecast demand for electricity and optimizing of energy distribution and pricing.

An example, Sense , is a smart home energy monitoring app that tracks household power use in real-time. It can determine how much energy each in-home gadget consumes, from bathroom lights to the water heater or garage door, and determine the expense. The application even delivers real-time carbon intensity statistics to assist users in reducing their carbon footprints.

Intelligent HVAC solutions

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) consume a significant amount of energy in both residential and commercial buildings. They are responsible for up to 60% of overall power use.

HVAC solutions based on IoT technology enable end-users to track and manage temperature, light, humidity, or, separately, the air-conditioning area. Above that, such systems usually detect issues and find their root causes. As a result, smart HVAC solutions help:

• reduce electricity bills significantly;
• keep equipment highly functional;
• handle performance concerns, avoid equipment downtime; and
• assist governments in lowering carbon emissions.

Cielo Home , an IoT-powered air conditioning (AC) app, is designed to control any form of mini split, portable air conditioner, or window air conditioner by means of smart AC controllers. The app keeps users informed of AC consumption trends and assists in meeting savings objectives.

Sure, we’ve listed only a part of use cases where the Internet of Things can be applied in the energy sector. With  growing interest in decarbonization, the number of IoT use cases in the industry will continue to increase.

However, when thinking about applying IoT to the energy sector you should also keep in mind the challenges you may face.

Possible challenges when applying IoT in energy sector and how to solve them 

Challenge #1: integrations.

Integrating IoT technology on any existing platform may be a significant issue for any company. The situation is made even more challenging in the energy industry, especially when integrating IoT in the subsystems of the energy solution.

Among the reasons are the high complexity of such systems and the uniqueness of the energy sector’s subsystems applying a variety of sensors and data communication technologies. Therefore, special attention should be paid to managing the data exchange between the solutions.

In these situations, development of co-simulation models for energy systems in order to integrate the system and reduce synchronization delay error between subsystems may become helpful. Co-simulation is the process of combining several stand-alone simulation technologies to replicate a whole system in a consistent manner. Another option is modeling an integrated framework for energy systems that take into account the IoT requirements of a system or subsystem you need to integrate with.

Challenge #2: Data security

Another challenge that companies face when applying IoT technology is data security. The technology presupposes a lot of critical customer data involved, so cyber-attacks and data leaks may damage company’s reputation.

This is a primary reason why companies need to pay great attention to their data security policies and invest in effective encryption techniques to protect energy information. Furthermore, to lower the danger of cyberattacks and increase system security companies invest in distributed control systems that enable control at different levels of the IoT system.

Challenge #3: IoT standardization

IoT makes use of various standards to ensure connectability to a large number of different devices. Inconsistency amongst IoT devices that use multiple standards creates a new problem. Among the standards used in the IoT-enabled systems are network protocols, communication protocols, data-aggregation standards, and regulatory standards that refer to data security and privacy.

In order to achieve consistency among various IoT devices and cover various technologies, one can define one system with a common sense of understanding so that all the participants can

equally access and use it. Another option is to develop open information models and protocols of the standards by all the parties involved. As a result, standards will be freely and publicly available.

Challenge #4: High energy consumption

One of the key goals of applying energy IoT platforms is energy saving. However, the IoT systems themselves consume energy. The IoT devices transmit a lot of data and require communication between different devices. That’s why a significant quantity of energy is required to run the IoT system and transport the massive amount of data generated by IoT devices. This sets another challenge for businesses.

To save energy, the company should investigate measures aimed at minimizing the power consumption of IoT systems. It could be using the sleep mode for sensors, designing efficient communication protocols, using radio optimization techniques like modulation optimization and cooperative communication, using energy-efficient routing techniques like cluster architectures, and implementing multi-path routing techniques.

Challenge #5: Architecture design

As we’ve already mentioned, the IoT-powered systems are made up of many technologies and an increasing number of smart networked devices and sensors. The main goal of the IoT is to enable smooth communications between the parties at any time and from any location.

IoT systems therefore, require a complex architecture design. It may happen that a one-size-fits-all architecture design will not fit the distinct characteristics and requirements of IoT systems. That is why the custom architecture design that fits the standards required for IoT systems, using heterogeneous reference architectures, as well as applying open standards may be a solution.

Transform your energy solution with IoT technology

To sum the whole thing up, IoT represents a new reality, encompassing the energy industry with real-time applications and cutting-edge technology. It derives actionable information from sensor devices and gateway connections, which it then uses to offer new and advanced services for better productivity and energy efficiency.

However, applying IoT is a complex task that requires well-considered working architecture design, high security and smooth integration. MindK team has hands-on experience with the technologies used to build energy-efficient solutions . We have expertise in developing software for energy monitoring and management, data analytics and visualization, sophisticated algorithms for device identification, and much more. So, if you require a highly experienced technical team to help, then fill in the contact form and we’ll get back to you to discuss the details.

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Top Applications of IoT in the World

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The most important characteristic of humans is that we can work with each other as a team and gain knowledge from each other. What if this was true for machines as well? What if they could interact with each other and share information and data? That would lead to a truly connected world! And that is the central concept of the Internet of Things . This concept just means a connected network of various devices that can collect data and share it with each other to obtain meaningful insights from the data. There are various applications of IoT in the world and these are so diverse that you cannot imagine.

There are endless possibilities for having an interconnected web of “things” that can interact with each other over the internet. IoT can be used for all types of applications ranging from connecting all the devices in your house to create a smart home or even connecting all the government and civic services in a city to create a smart city! Who knows, we may even have a smart world one day!

To get an overview of IoT, refer to this article- Introduction to IoT

IoT has made our life easier with its applications. You won’t believe all the cool stuff IoT can do! Imagine having a home where the lights turn on by themselves, the TV knows your favorite shows, and even the fridge tells you when you’re running out of ice cream! Yum!

In big factories, IoT helps machines work together smoothly, like a team of robots! They can even fix themselves when something is not right. Super smart!

And guess what? In hospitals, doctors can use IoT to check on patients from far away. It’s like having a superhero doctor with special powers!

All these can be achieved through top IoT applications. So let’s see all these top applications of IoT in different facets and industries of the world.

1. Smart Agriculture

Food is an integral part of life without which we cannot survive. However, it is an unfortunate fact that a lot of food is wasted in developed countries like America while people starve in poorer countries like Chad, Sudan, etc. One way to feed everyone is through better agricultural practices which can be enhanced using IoT applications. This can be done by first collecting data for a farm such as soil quality, sunlight levels, seed type, and rainfall density from various sources like farm sensors, satellites, local weather stations, etc. and then using this data with Machine Learning and IoT to create custom recommendations for each farm that will optimize the planting procedure, irrigation levels required, fertilizer amount, etc. All this will result in better yield or crops with a focus on reducing world hunger in the future. This is done very efficiently by SunCulture, a top IoT application, which is an initiative by Microsoft AI for Earth.

2. Smart Vehicles

Smart vehicles or self-driving cars are Iot applications as they can be called are pretty dependent on IoT. These cars have a lot of features that are integrated with each other and need to communicate such as the sensors that handle navigation, various antennas, controls for speeding or slowing down, etc. Here the Internet of Things technology is critical, especially in the sense that self-driving cars need to be extremely accurate and all the parts need to communicate with each other in milliseconds on the road. Tesla Cars are quite popular and working on their self-driving cars. Tesla Motors’ cars use the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things. And they are quite popular as well!!! Tesla Model 3 was the most sold plug-in electric car in the U.S. in 2018 with a total yearly sales of around 140,000 cars. This top IoT application has gained a lot of advancement in recent years

3. Smart Home

Maybe one of the most famous applications of IoT is in Smart Homes. After all, who hasn’t heard about connecting all the home applications like lighting, air conditioners, locks, thermostat, etc. into a single system that can be controlled from your smartphone? These IoT devices are applications of IoT and becoming more and more popular these days because they allow you complete freedom to personalize your home as you want. In fact, these IoT devices are so popular that every second there are 127 new devices connected to the internet. Some popular ones that you might have heard have, or even have in your home, include Google Home, Amazon Echo Plus, Philips Hue Lighting System, etc. There are also all sorts of other inventions that you can install in your home including Nest Smoke Alarm and Thermostat, Foobot Air Quality Monitor, August Smart Lock, etc. These applications of IoT are getting famous nowadays.

4. Smart Pollution Control

Pollution is one of the biggest problems in most of the cities in the world. Sometimes it’s not clear if we are inhaling oxygen or smog! In such a situation, IoT applications can be a big help in controlling pollution levels to more breathable standards. This can be done by collecting data related to city pollution like emissions from vehicles, pollen levels, airflow direction, weather, traffic levels, etc using various sensors in combination with IoT. Using this data, Machine Learning algorithms can calculate pollution forecasts in different areas of the city that inform city officials beforehand where the problems are going to occur. Then they can try to control the pollution levels till it’s much safer. An example of this is the Green Horizons project created by IBM’s China Research Lab.

5. Smart Healthcare

There are many applications of IoT in the Healthcare Industry where doctors can monitor patients remotely through a web of interconnected devices and machines without needing to be in direct contact with them. This is very useful if the patients don’t have any serious problems or if they have any infectious diseases like COVID-19 these days. One of the most common uses of IoT applications in healthcare is using robots. These include surgical robots that can help doctors in performing surgeries more efficiently with higher precision and control. There are also disinfectant robots that can clean surfaces quickly and thoroughly using high-intensity ultraviolet light (which is pretty useful these days!) Other types of robots also include nursing robots that can handle the monotonous tasks that nurses have to perform for many patients day in and day out where there is little risk to the patients.

6. Smart Cities

Cities can be made more efficient so that they require fewer resources and are more energy-efficient. This can be done with a combination of sensors in different capacities all over the city that can be used for various tasks ranging from managing the traffic, controlling handling waste management, creating smart buildings, optimizing streetlights, etc. There are many cities in the world that are working on incorporating IoT applications and becoming smarter such as Singapore, Geneva, Zurich, Oslo, etc. One example of creating smart cities is the Smart Nation Sensor Platform used by Singapore which is believed to be the smartest city in the world. This platform integrates various facets of transportation, streetlights, public safety, urban planning, etc. using sensors in conjugation with IoT.

7. Smart Retail

There is a way to make shopping even more exciting for customers and that’s to use the latest tech like IoT of course! Retail stores can make use of IoT applications in a wide range of operations to make shopping a much smoother experience for customers and also easier for employees. IoT can be used to handle inventory, improve store operations, reduce shoplifting and theft, and prevent long queues at the cashiers. A prime example of this application of IoT is the Amazon Go stores which provide an IoT-enabled shopping experience. These stores monitor all their products using IoT so that customers can pick up any products and just walk out of the store without stopping at the cashier’s queue. The total bill amount is automatically deducted from the card associated with the customer’s Amazon account after they leave the store.

These are only some applications of IoT in the world that are the most popular. Actually, there is no limit to the application of IoT, especially when it is combined with other technologies like Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence . This is especially true because the declining hardware costs make it feasible to embed sensors in just about any device imaginable thereby creating a connected IoT network. IoT has many applications in smart energy creation, manufacturing, supply chain management, wildlife conservation, etc. Some of the top IoT applications we have discussed in this article, And maybe this expanding list of applications for IoT will lead to a smart world after all!

FAQs on Top Applications of Iot in the World

What are the top applications of iot in the world.

These are the top Applications of IoT in the World 1. Smart Agriculture 2. Smart Vehicles 3. Smart Home 4. Smart Pollution Control 5. Smart Healthcare

What are the top IoT devices?

These are the top IoT devices

1. Google Home Voice Controller 2. Amazon Echo Plus Voice Controller 3. August Doorbell Cam 4. Belkin WeMo Smart Light Switch 5. Nest Smoke Alarm

What is IoT?

IoT stands for the Internet of Things . It refers to the network of physical devices, vehicles, appliances, and other objects embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity, allowing them to collect and exchange data over the internet. These devices communicate with each other and with centralized systems, enabling smart functionalities and automation.

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How Does IoT Empower Disaster Management with Real-Time Data

Table of contents.

Welcome to the future of disaster management! With technology evolving rapidly, we’re now using IoT (Internet of Things) to change how we handle disasters. Real-time data collection is a big part of this. It helps us predict and understand disasters better. Plus, it lets us take action early to save lives and reduce damage. Come along as we explore how IoT is transforming disaster management, making the world safer and stronger.

Introduction to IoT and its Applications in Disaster Management

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the way we collect, analyze, and utilize data in various industries. In recent years, this technology has also been recognized for its potential in disaster management. With real-time data collection and analysis capabilities, IoT services are transforming how emergency response teams handle disasters.

But what exactly is IoT? Simply put, it refers to a network of connected devices that can communicate with each other without human intervention. These devices are equipped with sensors that gather and transmit data over a wireless network.

In the context of disaster management, IoT devices can include everything from weather sensors and GPS trackers to drones and smart cameras. These devices work together to provide real-time information on various aspects such as weather conditions, infrastructure damage, and population movements.

One of the primary advantages of using IoT in disaster management is its ability to provide accurate and timely information. This allows emergency response teams to make informed decisions quickly, which can be critical during a crisis where every second counts.

For example, during natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes, traditional methods of data collection may not be feasible due to damaged infrastructure. However, with IoT devices already in place before the disaster strikes, crucial information can still be collected remotely.

Moreover, with the help of advanced analytics tools and machine learning algorithms, large volumes of data gathered by these devices can be analyzed in real-time. This enables emergency responders to identify patterns and trends that may help them predict future disasters or plan more effective relief efforts.

IoT also plays a significant role in mitigating risks associated with disasters. By continuously monitoring environmental factors such as temperature changes or water levels in rivers or dams, authorities can detect early warning signs for potential hazards. This allows them to take preventive measures before a disaster occurs or minimize its impact if it does happen.

Furthermore, post-disaster recovery efforts also benefit greatly from IoT technology. For instance, drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras can quickly identify survivors or locate areas that need urgent assistance. This information is crucial in determining where to allocate resources and prioritize rescue efforts.

The applications of IoT in disaster management are vast and far-reaching. Its ability to provide real-time data, automate processes, and mitigate risks makes it a valuable tool for emergency response teams to save lives and minimize damage during disasters. In the next section, we will explore some specific examples of how IoT is being used in disaster management scenarios around the world.

Understanding Real-Time Data Collection and its Importance in Disaster Management

Real-time data collection refers to the process of gathering and transmitting data as it happens, without any delay. This data is collected through various sensors and devices such as drones, satellites, weather stations, and even smartphones.

One of the core advantages of real-time data collection is its ability to provide a comprehensive understanding of an unfolding disaster situation. Traditional methods rely on historical or intermittent data that may not accurately reflect current conditions. With real-time data collection, however, decision-makers have access to up-to-date information that can help them make informed decisions quickly.

Moreover, this technology enables communication between different stakeholders involved in disaster management. By sharing real-time data in a centralized platform or dashboard accessible from any location with internet connectivity, teams can coordinate their response efforts more effectively.

Real-time data also plays a critical role in predicting potential disasters before they occur. For instance, by monitoring seismic activity or changes in atmospheric conditions using IoT devices continuously placed around areas prone to natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes; authorities can issue early warning alerts to residents at risk.

Case Studies: How IoT is being used in Disaster Management

The use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in disaster management has been gaining traction in recent years. In this section, we will take a closer look at some case studies that highlight the successful implementation of IoT in disaster management.

1 Flood Monitoring System in Thailand

Thailand is prone to devastating floods, with the 2011 flood being one of the worst natural disasters in the country’s history. In response, Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) collaborated with IBM to develop an IoT-based flood monitoring system. The system consists of sensors installed along rivers and canals that measure water levels and send real-time data to a central platform. This allows authorities to monitor water levels and issue timely warnings to communities at risk. The flood monitoring system proved successful during the 2018 monsoon season, helping mitigate potential damage from flooding.

2 Earthquake Early Warning System in Japan

Japan is known for its frequent earthquakes, making it crucial for the country to have an effective early warning system in place. In collaboration with multiple partners, including NTT DoCoMo and Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan developed an earthquake early warning system using IoT technology. The system uses accelerometers installed on high-rise buildings to detect seismic activity and sends real-time alerts via mobile phones before the earthquake strikes. This has helped reduce casualties by providing people with valuable seconds or even minutes to prepare for an earthquake.

3 Tracking Hurricane Evacuation Routes in Florida

In 2017, Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on Florida’s coastal communities, causing widespread damage and destruction. As part of their disaster preparedness efforts, Florida’s Department of Transportation implemented a smart traffic management system using IoT sensors on major evacuation routes. These sensors provided real-time data on traffic flow, allowing authorities to adjust evacuation routes in real-time to reduce congestion and facilitate the safe evacuation of residents.

4 Fire Detection and Monitoring System in Australia

Australia’s harsh climate often leads to devastating wildfires that can quickly get out of control. To improve fire management efforts, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) implemented an IoT-based fire detection and monitoring system. The system uses sensors and cameras installed across high-risk areas to detect fires early on and provide real-time information to firefighters. This has helped reduce response time, allowing for faster containment of fires.

These case studies demonstrate how IoT technology is revolutionizing disaster management by providing real-time data that enables timely decision-making and efficient response efforts. With further advancements in IoT, we can expect even more innovative solutions that will help mitigate the impact of natural disasters on communities worldwide.

Predictive Modeling: Using Real-Time Data to Improve Emergency Response Systems

Predictive modeling is an essential tool in leveraging the power of real-time data for improving emergency response systems. It involves using historical and current data to create algorithms that can predict future events or trends. In the context of disaster management, predictive modeling can provide valuable insights for effective decision-making and resource allocation during emergencies.

Real-time data, collected through the Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as sensors, cameras, and drones, has opened up new possibilities for predictive modeling in disaster management. These devices continuously gather data from their surroundings and transmit it in real-time to a central system. This allows emergency responders to access crucial information immediately and make informed decisions based on accurate data.

One major benefit of predictive modeling is its ability to anticipate disaster scenarios before they even occur. By analyzing historical data on weather patterns, natural disasters, and other risk factors specific to a region, predictive models can generate early warning signals for potential emergencies. This helps emergency responders prepare and position themselves strategically before a disaster strikes.

Moreover, real-time data collection enables predictive modeling to be dynamic and adaptable. As the situation on the ground changes rapidly during a disaster, traditional models may become outdated quickly. However, with real-time data constantly feeding into the system, predictive models can update themselves accordingly and provide accurate predictions throughout the duration of an emergency.

Another advantage of using predictive modeling in emergency response systems is its ability to optimize resource allocation. During an emergency situation where every second counts, it is crucial to allocate resources efficiently for maximum impact. Predictive models can help determine where resources should be deployed based on factors such as population density, infrastructure layout, and severity of damage predicted by the model.

Furthermore, with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology and machine learning algorithms being integrated into predictive models, their accuracy has greatly improved over time. AI-powered models can analyze vast amounts of real-time data quickly and identify patterns that humans may not be able to detect. This can significantly enhance the decision-making process for emergency responders and lead to more effective disaster management.

The Role of IoT Devices in Different Phases of Disaster Management (Preparation, Response, Recovery)

The rapid advancements in technology have revolutionized various aspects of our lives, including disaster management. Among these technological innovations, Internet of Things (IoT) devices play a crucial role in enhancing disaster management efforts. With their ability to collect and transmit real-time data, IoT devices have become an invaluable tool for different phases of disaster management – preparation, response, and recovery.

Preparation is the first phase of disaster management, and it involves taking proactive measures to minimize the impact of potential disasters. IoT devices are essential in this phase as they enable authorities to gather relevant data that can help in identifying high-risk areas and developing appropriate mitigation strategies. For instance, sensors installed on buildings and infrastructure can monitor factors such as temperature, humidity, and structural integrity, providing valuable insights into potential hazards.

In the response phase, when a disaster has already occurred, every second counts. Real-time data collected by IoT devices plays a critical role in minimizing loss of life and property during this phase. Emergency responders can use IoT-enabled drones equipped with cameras and thermal sensors to assess damage and identify survivors quickly. These drones can also provide live feeds from inaccessible areas that aid rescue operations. Furthermore, wearables such as smartwatches or health monitoring devices can track vital signs of individuals trapped or injured during disasters, enabling emergency responders to provide timely medical assistance.

After the immediate danger has passed, the recovery phase begins. This stage involves restoring infrastructure and services disrupted by the disaster while providing support for affected individuals and communities. Here again, IoT devices play a crucial role by collecting real-time data that helps authorities understand the extent of damage caused by the disaster accurately. This information enables them to allocate resources efficiently for reconstruction efforts.

Moreover, post-disaster tracking using GPS-enabled sensors attached to relief supplies ensures their efficient distribution among those most in need. Additionally, IoT devices can monitor the air quality and water supply in affected areas, providing crucial information for ensuring the health and safety of residents.

IoT devices play a significant role in all phases of disaster management – preparation, response, and recovery. As technology continues to advance, we can expect further enhancements in the use of IoT devices for disaster management, ultimately making our communities more resilient.

Challenges and Limitations of Implementing IoT in Disaster Management

Despite the potential benefits, implementing IoT in disaster management also comes with its own set of challenges and limitations. These must be addressed in order to fully harness the power of real-time data collection for effective disaster management.

One major challenge is the cost associated with implementing an IoT system. This includes the cost of devices, sensors, infrastructure, and maintenance. The initial investment required to set up a comprehensive IoT network can be significant, especially for organizations or regions with limited resources.

2 Technical Expertise

Another limitation is the need for technical expertise to design, install, and maintain an IoT network. It requires skilled professionals who are knowledgeable about various aspects such as connectivity protocols, sensor deployment techniques, data analysis methods, and cybersecurity measures.

3 Connectivity Issues

IoT relies heavily on connectivity between devices and networks to transmit real-time data. However, disasters often occur in remote or underdeveloped areas where internet connectivity may be unreliable or non-existent. This can hinder the effectiveness of an IoT-based disaster management system.

4 Data Overload

The vast amount of data collected by IoT devices can also pose a challenge for disaster management teams. Without proper data analysis tools and techniques in place, it can be overwhelming to sift through large volumes of information to identify relevant insights and make timely decisions.

5 Privacy Concerns

As with any technology that collects personal information, there are valid concerns about privacy when it comes to using IoT in disaster management. The use of sensors and cameras may raise ethical issues if not implemented carefully within regulatory guidelines.

6 Interoperability Issues

In a disaster scenario where multiple agencies or organizations are involved in relief efforts, interoperability issues may arise if they are using different types of IoT systems that are not compatible with each other.

7 Power Outages

During natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes, power outages are common. This can impact the functioning of IoT devices and disrupt the flow of real-time data, hindering disaster management efforts.

Despite these challenges and limitations, the benefits of implementing IoT in disaster management outweigh the drawbacks. As technology continues to advance and costs decrease, it is expected that these limitations will be addressed, making IoT an indispensable tool for enhancing disaster management in the future.

Future Outlook: Potential Advancements and Impact of IoT on Disaster

As technology continues to advance, the potential for IoT to revolutionize disaster management is immense.

One area with vast potential is in predictive analytics. With real-time data collection, IoT devices can gather information about weather patterns, seismic activity, and other environmental factors that could indicate a potential disaster. By analyzing this data, emergency management teams can make more accurate predictions about when and where disasters may strike. This can help in developing targeted evacuation plans and allocating resources beforehand to areas at high risk of being affected.

Another exciting possibility is the use of AI-powered chatbots for communication during disasters. These chatbots can be programmed with pre-approved responses from emergency management agencies, providing constant updates on evacuation routes, shelter locations, and other vital information. They also have the ability to answer frequently asked questions from affected individuals or provide emotional support during stressful situations.

The potential for IoT to enhance disaster management is virtually limitless. With continued advancements and integration of this technology into emergency response efforts, we can expect to see more efficient and effective disaster management systems in the future. It is essential for governments and organizations to invest in and harness the power of IoT to better prepare for and respond to disasters of all kinds.

Subhajit Das , Project Manager

With around two decades of experience in IT, Subhajit is an accomplished Project Manager specializing in web and mobile app development. Transitioning from a developer role, his profound technical expertise ensures the success of projects from inception to completion. Committed to fostering team collaboration and ongoing growth, his leadership consistently delivers innovation and excellence in the dynamic tech industry.

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The Application of Taiwan IC-based Development Tools 

To introduce the applications of a variety of domestic ICs for IoT devices, IoT Service Hub works with and invites many active members in the maker community to share their extensive development experience and case studies.

In terms of promoting domestic IC smart manufacturing, experts from academia and key players from the industry are called on to organize domestic IC service groups to carry out IoT development design, teaching plan design, and case implementation for selected domestic ICs, thereby promoting their introduction and application in market-proven products and solutions. For Taiwanese companies intending to invest in the IC/module design and development of the innovative AIoT market, the IoT Service Hub can offer open-source data and matchmaking services to ensure interdisciplinary resources, with the ultimate goal being to promote open-source domestic IC technology and commercially successful AIoT applications.

First, the “earthquake alarm” made by Yishifu using the HUB 5168+ EVB (adopting Realtek RTL8720DN) is a perfect solution that caters to the needs of the Taiwanese people, since earthquakes occur frequently in the country. In his case study, Yishifu first introduced the working principles of common earthquake alarms on the market, and then explained why he chose HUB 5168+ for development purposes. Since HUB 5168+ has the feature of stackable modules, it is convenient to add communication modules and sensors with different functions. Also, lithium polymer batteries can be connected in series directly through the power expansion module. In terms of function design, the earthquake alarm has the basic function of detecting the intensity of earthquakes. In addition, it can also detect on-site brightness through the DH1750 light sensor to actively turn on the 3W LED to provide lighting if necessary.

At the same time, it is equipped with an electromechanical natural gas valve switch with RF function, which can cut off the gas supply when an earthquake occurs, helping to avoid further hazards. What is more, the gadget can also send alert messages to the default chatroom via “LINE Notify” (a notification service from LINE, a communication software).

Next, Kevin Chen from Kevin’s Lab shared the development potential of HUB 8735 (adopting Ameba RTL8735). This EVB has multi-functional image processing capabilities, supports the Arduino native development environment, and has a built-in NPU AI engine to accelerate the processing of AI models. With the features above, HUB 8735 is one of the few AIoT modules with a camera and AI computing capabilities at the same time, which makes it a good choice in image recognition contexts. In terms of vehicle control, the L9110S motor driver module is used, and the motor can drive dual motors at the same time. For the control interface, V7RC developed by V7 Idea Technology Ltd. was introduced, which allows users to control vehicle dynamics on a mobile phone through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. In this case, although the subject was a mere small remote control vehicle, the solution actually demonstrated great value on special occasions when paired with image recognition functions, such as hazardous environment surveys, disaster relief, etc.

Finally, the last speaker, Mr. Chang, showcased the possibilities of domestic EVBs in industrial applications. Like the previous case, he chose HUB 8735 for its outstanding performance in image recognition. Mr. Chang used the case of metal parts detection to introduce the details of how to implement image recognition and its AI model training. First, after completing basic settings, Arduino IDE is used to operate the Smart CAM. The feature is then burned into HUB 8735, and then connected to VLC Media Player. Next, users can use labelIMG (a graphical image annotation tool) with Google Colab to create a model. The data is pre-processed and then enhanced through YOLO. After training, it is burned into the chip, and there, the training of your own model is completed!

From all the shared cases from the domestic IC tutorial, we can observe that although the speakers chose different domestic IC EVBs, the same selection logic applies. That is, users think about how the functions of different EVBs can meet their needs after careful analysis. At the same time, we can also learn that AI-related functions will be more inseparable from IoT devices in the future. The content shared by all speakers not only addressed key development skills for makers but also brought new innovative stimulation and inspiration to the maker community.

For more information, please visit our  website  or email Yi Hua Lin at  [email protected]  

(Advertisement by Industrial Development Administration, MoEA)  

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In the tech world and beyond, new 5G applications are being discovered every day. From driverless cars to smarter cities, farms, and even shopping experiences, the latest standard in wireless networks is poised to transform the way we interact with information, devices and each other. What better time to take a closer look at how humans are putting 5G to use to transform their world.

What is 5G?

5G (fifth-generation mobile technology  is the newest standard for cellular networks. Like its predecessors, 3G, 4G and 4G LTE, 5G technology uses radio waves for data transmission. However, due to significant improvements in latency, throughput and bandwidth, 5G is capable of faster download and upload speeds than previous networks.

Since its release in 2019, 5G broadband technology has been hailed as a breakthrough technology with significant implications for both consumers and businesses. Primarily, this is due to its ability to handle large volumes of data that is generated by complex devices that use its networks.

As mobile technology has expanded over the years, the number of data users generate every day has increased exponentially. Currently, other transformational technologies like  artificial intelligence (AI),  the  Internet of Things (IoT ) and  machine learning (ML)  require faster speeds to function than 3G and 4G networks offer. Enter 5G, with its lightning-fast data transfer capabilities that allow newer technologies to function in the way they were designed to.

Here are some of the biggest differences between 5G and previous wireless networks.

• Physical footprint : The transmitters that are used in 5G technology are smaller than in predecessors’ networks, allowing for discrete placement in out-of-the-way places. Furthermore, “cells”—geographical areas that all wireless networks require for connectivity—in 5G networks are smaller and require less power to run than in previous generations.
• Error rates : 5G’s adaptive Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), a schematic that wifi devices use to transmit data, is more powerful than ones in 3G and 4G networks. This makes 5G’s Block Error Rate (BER)—a metric of error frequency—much lower. 
• Bandwidth : By using a broader spectrum of radio frequencies than previous wireless networks, 5G networks can transmit on a wider range of bandwidths. This increases the number of devices that they can support at any given time.
• Lower latency : 5G’s low  latency , a measurement of the time it takes data to travel from one location to another, is a significant upgrade over previous generations. This means that routine activities like downloading a file or working in the cloud is going to be faster with a 5G connection than a connection on a different network.

Like all wireless networks, 5G networks are separated into geographical areas that are known as cells. Within each cell, wireless devices—such as smartphones, PCs, and IoT devices—connect to the internet via radio waves that are transmitted between an antenna and a base station. The technology that underpins 5G is essentially the same as in 3G and 4G networks. But due to its lower latency, 5G networks are capable of delivering faster download speeds—in some cases as high as 10 gigabits per second (Gbps).

As more and more devices are built for 5G speeds, demand for 5G connectivity is growing. Today, many popular Internet Service Providers (ISPs), such as Verizon, Google and AT&T, offer 5G networks to homes and businesses. According to Statista,  more than 200 million homes  and businesses have already purchased it with that number expected to at least double by 2028 (link resides outside ibm.com).

Let’s take a look at three areas of technological improvement that have made 5G so unique.

New telecom specifications

The 5G NR (New Radio) standard for cellular networks defines a new radio access technology (RAT) specification for all 5G mobile networks. The 5G rollout began in 2018 with a global initiative known as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3FPP). The initiative defined a new set of standards to steer the design of devices and applications for use on 5G networks.

The initiative was a success, and 5G networks grew swiftly in the ensuing years. Today, 45% of networks worldwide are 5G compatible, with that number forecasted to rise to 85% by the end of the decade according to  a recent report by Ericsson  (link resides outside ibm.com).

Independent virtual networks (network slicing)

On 5G networks, network operators can offer multiple independent virtual networks (in addition to public ones) on the same infrastructure. Unlike previous wireless networks, this new capability allows users to do more things remotely with greater security than ever before. For example, on a 5G network, enterprises can create use cases or business models and assign them their own independent virtual network. This dramatically improves the user experience for their employees by adding greater customizability and security.

Private networks

In addition to network slicing, creating a 5G private network can also enhance personalization and security features over those available on previous generations of wireless networks. Global businesses seeking more control and mobility for their employees increasingly turn to private 5G network architectures rather than public networks they’ve used in the past.

Now that we better understand how 5G technology works, let’s take a closer look at some of the exciting applications it’s enabling.

Autonomous vehicles

From taxi cabs to drones and beyond, 5G technology underpins most of the next-generation capabilities in autonomous vehicles. Until the 5G cellular standard came along, fully autonomous vehicles were a bit of a pipe dream due to the data transmission limitations of 3G and 4G technology. Now, 5G’s lightning-fast connection speeds have made transport systems for cars, trains and more, faster than previous generations, transforming the way systems and devices connect, communicate and collaborate.

Smart factories

5G, along with AI and ML, is poised to help factories become not only smarter but more automated, efficient, and resilient. Today, many mundane but necessary tasks that are associated with equipment repair and optimization are being turned over to machines thanks to 5G connectivity paired with AI and ML capabilities. This is one area where 5G is expected to be highly disruptive, impacting everything from fuel economy to the design of equipment lifecycles and how goods arrive at our homes.

For example, on a busy factory floor, drones and cameras that are connected to smart devices that use the IoT can help locate and transport something more efficiently than in the past and prevent theft. Not only is this better for the environment and consumers, but it also frees up employees to dedicate their time and energy to tasks that are more suited to their skill sets.

Smart cities

The idea of a hyper-connected urban environment that uses 5G network speeds to spur innovation in areas like law enforcement, waste disposal and disaster mitigation is fast becoming a reality. Some cities already use 5G-enabled sensors to track traffic patterns in real time and adjust signals, helping guide the flow of traffic, minimize congestion, and improve air quality.

In another example, 5G power grids monitor supply and demand across heavily populated areas and deploy AI and ML applications to “learn” what times energy is in high or low demand. This process has been shown to significantly impact energy conservation and waste, potentially reducing carbon emissions and helping cities reach sustainability goals.

Smart healthcare

Hospitals, doctors, and the healthcare industry as a whole already benefit from the speed and reliability of 5G networks every day. One example is the area of remote surgery that uses robotics and a high-definition live stream that is connected to the internet via a 5G network. Another is the field of mobile health, where 5G gives medical workers in the field quick access to patient data and medical history. This enables them to make smarter decisions, faster, and potentially save lives.

Lastly, as we saw during the pandemic, contact tracing and the mapping of outbreaks are critical to keeping populations safe. 5G’s ability to deliver of volumes of data swiftly and securely allows experts to make more informed decisions that have ramifications for everyone.

5G paired with new technological capabilities won’t just result in the automation of employee tasks, it will dramatically improve them and the overall  employee experience . Take virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), for example. VR (digital environments that shut out the real world) and AR (digital content that augments the real world) are already used by stockroom employees, transportation drivers and many others. These employees rely on wearables that are connected to a 5G network capable of high-speed data transfer rates that improve several key capabilities, including the following:

• Live views : 5G connectivity provides live, real-time views of equipment, events, and even people. One way in which this feature is being used in professional sports is to allow broadcasters to remotely call a sporting event from outside the stadium where the event is taking place.
• Digital overlays : IoT applications in a warehouse or industrial setting allow workers that are equipped with smart glasses (or even just a smartphone) to obtain real-time insights from an application. This includes repair instructions or the name and location of a spare part.
• Drone inspections : Right now, one of the leading causes of employee injury is inspection of equipment or project sites in remote and potentially dangerous areas. Drones, which are connected via 5G networks, can safely monitor equipment and project sites and even take readings from hard-to-reach gauges.

Edge computing , a computing framework that allows computations to be done closer to data sources, is fast becoming the standard for enterprises. According to  this Gartner white paper  (link resides outside ibm.com), by 2025, 75% of enterprise data will be processed at the edge (compared to only 10% today). This shift saves businesses time and money and enables better control over large volumes of data. It would be impossible without the new speed standards that are generated by 5G technology. 

Ultra-reliable edge computing and 5G enable the enterprise to achieve faster transmission speeds, increased control and greater security over massive volumes of data. Together, these twin technologies will help reduce latency while increasing speed, reliability and bandwidth, resulting in faster, more comprehensive data analysis and insights for businesses everywhere.

5G solutions with IBM Cloud Satellite  

5G presents significant opportunities for the enterprise, but first, you need a platform that can handle its speed. IBM Cloud Satellite® lets you deploy and run apps consistently across on-premises, edge computing and public cloud environments on a 5G network. And it’s all enabled by secure and auditable communications within the IBM Cloud®.

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Privacy-Preserving of Digital 6G IoT Based Cyber Phycical System in Medical Big-Data Application Using Homomorphic Encryption

• Published: 15 May 2024

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• Chunyuan Li 1  

This abstract introduces a novel approach to privacy protection in cyber-physical systems built on the 6G Internet of Things (IoT), with an emphasis on applications involving medical big data and the use of homomorphic encryption. The proposed method incorporates a complex three-step procedure—sensitivity assessment, polynomial interpolation with noise calibration, and perturbed data generation—to address the challenging trade-off between privacy and utility. The framework guarantees the security of sensitive medical information while making the most of the data by maintaining the original dataset's geographical structure and using differential privacy standards. The suggested approach outperforms conventional perturbation processes in experimental evaluations, displaying improved privacy protection and low time consumption. In order to preserve the original data distribution, the study stresses the need of choosing suitable privacy budgets (ε values) that are customised to meet the demands of each application. Encouraging safe and effective data processing in healthcare settings, the framework is a giant leap forward in resolving privacy issues in the ever-changing world of digital 6G IoT-based cyber-physical systems, especially as they pertain to medical big data applications.

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Li, C. Privacy-Preserving of Digital 6G IoT Based Cyber Phycical System in Medical Big-Data Application Using Homomorphic Encryption. Wireless Pers Commun (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-024-11186-0

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Accepted : 02 May 2024

Published : 15 May 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-024-11186-0

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