Internet of things

Internet of things (IoT) describes devices with <a href="/facts/Sensor/RN8SXbjs">sensors</a>, processing ability, <a href="/facts/Software/RP79lVSW">software</a> and other <a href="/facts/Technologies/9Uav5WVR">technologies</a> that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the <a href="/facts/Internet/Xw1rVvJU">Internet</a> or other communication networks. The IoT encompasses <a href="/facts/Electronic_engineering/WCSVulpu">electronics</a>, <a href="/facts/Telecommunications_engineering/xq79k0PW">communication</a>, and <a href="/facts/Computer_science/lN3pEyPz">computer science</a> engineering. "Internet of things" has been considered a <a href="/facts/Misnomer/P4TnsX3H">misnomer</a> because devices do not need to be connected to the public <a href="/facts/Internet/Xw1rVvJU">internet</a>; they only need to be connected to a network and be individually addressable.
The field has evolved due to the convergence of multiple <a href="/facts/Technologies/9Uav5WVR">technologies</a>, including <a href="/facts/Ubiquitous_computing/KdH2CFrh">ubiquitous computing</a>, <a href="/facts/Commodity/zD0Em9v7">commodity</a> <a href="/facts/Sensors/RN8SXbjs">sensors</a>, and increasingly powerful <a href="/facts/Embedded_system/a4muX1wU">embedded systems</a>, as well as <a href="/facts/Machine_learning/e0w0XJTu">machine learning</a>. Older fields of <a href="/facts/Embedded_system/a4muX1wU">embedded systems</a>, <a href="/facts/Wireless_sensor_network/r5LIAVsU">wireless sensor networks</a>, control systems, <a href="/facts/Automation/3YlF2K5q">automation</a> (including <a href="/facts/Home_automation/kfz6C07m">home</a> and <a href="/facts/Building_automation/57392A57">building automation</a>), independently and collectively enable the Internet of things. In the consumer market, IoT technology is most <a href="/facts/Synonymous/a3BgMcdu">synonymous</a> with "<a href="/facts/Smart_home/kfz6C07m">smart home</a>" products, including devices and <a href="/facts/Home_appliance/JYKalzw6">appliances</a> (<a href="/facts/Light_fixture/vjgU4z1f">lighting fixtures</a>, <a href="/facts/Thermostats/w0HpUgup">thermostats</a>, home <a href="/facts/Security_systems/B4uxkyxh">security systems</a>, <a href="/facts/Camera/j4uqsfJQ">cameras</a>, and other home appliances) that support one or more common ecosystems and can be controlled via devices associated with that ecosystem, such as <a href="/facts/Smartphone/cSIrBMWG">smartphones</a> and <a href="/facts/Smart_speaker/S7DPuMB5">smart speakers</a>. IoT is also used in <a href="/facts/Healthcare_system/LpM7ISXR">healthcare systems</a>.
There are a number of concerns about the risks in the growth of IoT technologies and products, especially in the areas of <a href="/facts/Digital_privacy/Ha2QstqN">privacy</a> and <a href="/facts/Digital_security/fIbL0qNx">security</a>, and consequently there have been industry and government moves to address these concerns, including the development of international and local standards, guidelines, and regulatory frameworks. Because of their interconnected nature, IoT devices are vulnerable to security breaches and privacy concerns. At the same time, the way these devices communicate wirelessly creates regulatory ambiguities, complicating jurisdictional boundaries of the data transfer.

Internet of things open-in-new

Internet of things