Every industry embraces it for the sake of innovation and advancement. In the education sector, it’s called educational technology where computer hardware, software, and educational theory and practice is used together to not just facilitate learning but also create smarter and more connected schools. Technology, especially IoT, brings accessibility, efficiency, interactivity, and personalization to education and learning. 

The global IoT in education market was valued at $8.7 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $46.4 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 18.6% from 2023 to 2032. (Source: AlliedMarketResearch)

From the traditional ways of teaching in a classroom to online learning using mobile devices and laptops - ways of teaching as well as learning have changed digitally. Especially during the lockdown, when people across the globe were hit by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, schools leveraged IoT to deliver education through learn-from-home models. Since then, adapting to e-learning has become easy with IoT.

IoT Applications in Education 

Smart Classrooms

Smart classrooms enhance the teaching and learning process for both the teachers and the students by integrating learning technologies such as computers, specialized software, audience response technology, assistive listening devices, networking, and audio/visual capabilities. They enrich academic knowledge, develop creative skills, and thus, higher learning outcomes can be expected.

Digital Libraries

An IoT-enabled library system allows students to conveniently locate the books they need, check their availability, and even provide recommendations on the basis of their reading history. 

Wearables

Wearable devices are integrated with classroom IoT system management to automate attendance and monitor student behavior. IoT technology with VR and AR allows students to engage with simulations, explore complex concepts, and interact with them for an immersive learning experience.

Adaptive Learning Platforms

Adaptive learning systems can track data such as student progress, engagement, and performance, and use the data to provide personalized learning experiences.

Language Translation Devices

The goal of language translation devices is to bridge language barriers in the educational system. They ensure that teachers and students are understanding each other on multiple levels. 

IoT projects

IoT transforms theoretical knowledge into practical applications in education, and children can not only learn coding and electronics through IoT projects but also develop problem-solving skills and creativity.

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Benefits of IoT in Education

The benefits it brings in the field of education are as follows - 

1. Increased student engagement and interest - Internet of Things lets absent students attend class remotely with remote IoT applications. It allows teachers to assign homework to help individual students engage with the material. It also helps students with mobility or communication issues and promotes personalized learning.
2. Personalized approach to each student - IoT sensors help teachers plan lessons based on the requirements of every student, while robotic solutions enable the personalization of curriculum content and pace based on how students respond to questions or perform in exams. Experimenting with such formats and smart devices give teachers an opportunity to understand what teaching methods work and what don’t for the students.
3. Automation - The education sector's IoT solutions empower teachers to engage in more innovative work and continually enhance their abilities, rather than expending time on administrative tasks and mundane activities. With the advancement of connected technology, educators no longer have to manually assess paper exams, inspect notebooks, complete numerous syllabuses and reports, or dedicate hours to routine tasks. IoT devices automate note-taking, schedule verification, and research responsibilities for them.
4. Safety of students, teachers, and infrastructure - Smart cameras, smart ID cards, smart access controls make the learning environment for children safer. Other IoT devices with smoke and leakage sensors protect the students, teachers and also the infrastructure from any calamity. 
5. Reduces operating costs - Integration of IoT has reduced operating costs for schools and also enhanced energy efficiency. That is because they offer the convenience of remotely turning off lights, water, air conditioners, or projectors if they have been left on by students. This can be accomplished with a single click from a mobile device, even when administrators are not on-site. Additionally, automatic control of consumer electronics through IoT can be established without human intervention. 

Interesting Read:  7 Important Factors to Consider for IoT Software Development

The Future of Education with IoT

Combining IoT with other technologies is resulting in digital breakthroughs.

Artificial intelligence with IoT strengthens adaptive learning capabilities in the near future and makes personalized learning even more effective and efficient.

IoT data continues to grow and teachers can draw insights into student performance and learning patterns by learning analytics. This practice will be more accessible and better in future.

IoT data combined with predictive analytics helps teachers create early intervention strategies to improve retention rates.

IoT and blockchain technology ensure the authenticity and privacy of academic achievements by creating secure and tamper-proof educational records.

Logic Simplified, is a leading game development company spearheading emerging technology solutions. Apart from enhancing education through engaging gaming, our IoT focus covers education, vision technology, home automation and smart office, healthcare, connected cars and traffic, smart grid and appliances and solutions for the retail industry. Our application development services include IoT system design, cloud integration, analytics and reporting, system maintenance and AI/ML integration. If you are looking for high-end IoT solutions, or would like to know more about how IoT applications can revolutionize education, email at enquiry@logicsimplified.com or get in touch with us now.

Source: Statista

There are countless physical devices around the world that are connected via the internet. There is interchanging of data going on every second. It is pretty much adding digital intelligence to devices with sensors and no human assistance. With times changing, this innovation is getting bigger, better, and impactful on our everyday lives. Businesses are  integrating the Internet of Things into their various work models and are observing impactful outcomes for themselves. Nevertheless, there are still some obstacles that come the developers way and they are doing their best to overcome them. 

Data security and Privacy concerns

IoT is doing things in wonderful ways around the world. There are more and more devices being added to the IoT network and there are also vulnerabilities associated with every other device. Besides, there’s also tonnes of data being produced every minute that is harnessed, distributed, stored, and processed by all big and small businesses using the Internet of Technology. This massive amount of data that is produced is difficult to manage even with technology such as Artificial Intelligence and its algorithms. 

As long as there exists inadequate IoT security standards, the developers will continue to create devices with poor security systems. Weak passwords, hardware shortcomings, an unsafe update mechanism, insecure data transfer and storage, and unpatched softwares and operating systems are the underlined obstacles that are seen in IoT devices and are seen to exist from the manufacturers end.

Other than that, the importance of being aware of the ways that can help us stay safe on the world wide web is also crucial. The internet users must know how to avoid spam and phishing mails, execute virus scans on their computer systems, keep strong passwords, and to know how to have a secure wifi system, and good understanding of the IoT functionality. And, on the other hand the manufacturers need to carry out proper testing before bringing out the product in the market. Or else there are of course potential threats to the security of the user but such a breach on the company’s end is capable of destroying their reputation.

The report states, “Through the first six months of 2019, SonicWall has registered 2.4 million encrypted attacks, almost eclipsing the 2018 full-year total in half the time. This marks a 76 percent year-to-date increase.”

Source: Forbes

The devices connecting to the IoT infrastructure are on the rise but so are the number of malware and ransomware that are exploiting the system. These attacks to the system have the potential to affect the device’s functionality but they also steal user’s sensitive data like credentials, location, personal data, and more. There are also several Blockchain and IoT technology companies that work together where IoT applications and IoT development platforms rely on Blockchain to monitor and update the applications round the clock, the whole purpose being prevention of cryptocurrency exploitation. 

Connectivity and Communication

Connectivity and communication has changed our lives and made people’s life comfortable in unbelievable ways. Though, there is a seamless flow of data between the devices, cloud, and applications that seems challenging. The sensors, actuators, and the people are all interconnected in an Internet of Things system. There is transfer of streams of data between the three all the time which makes connectivity an important part of IoT.

You may also read the IoT data collection and reporting

It becomes difficult for software developers to keep up with the latest technologies and to ensure that the devices work smoothly despite the changes and upgradations. Developers come up with versatile solutions to confront the connectivity problems. The solutions that should be simple, inexpensive, and able to be used in both R&D and manufacturing to leverage code and minimize measurement correlation issues across the different phases of development. Here, connectivity is evaluated on various terms like the frequency bands, MAC protocols, other network protocols, mobility, and more. At the global level, the network becomes more complex with other heterogenous networks with slow connectivity, fast connectivity, proxy servers, firewalls and more disrupting the connection. This makes it difficult for developers to control the connectivity. The process of transferring data majorly depends on good connectivity. Nevertheless, there are several factors that impact good connectivity.

Factor_1. In a big IoT setup, there are processors, user and communication interfaces involved with immense amounts of power which make the networking complex. Hence, there is a need to efficiently manage the power usage or else it can in some or the other way affect connectivity.

Factor_2. Bandwidth consumption is anyways expensive and like in most cases, when there is  an outsized amount of IoT devices involved with server issues, the connectivity issues rise.

Factor_3. Over the times, there are different connectivity standards that have been introduced in the industry. And, to avoid any sort of connectivity issue, it is necessary to choose the appropriate and compatible standard/IoT protocol as per the requirement.

Factor_4. For transportation of data between devices, a credible bidirectional signalling is essential to abstain from any problem in the connectivity.

Factor_5. It is important to ensure immediate detection of IoT devices going online and offline so that any problem that has arised in the network can be fixed which is again to avoid connectivity problems.

The global Internet of Things (IoT) market size stood at USD 250.72 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 1,463.19 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 24.9% during the forecast period.

Source: Fortunebusinessinsights

Compatibility Issues

As the technology is evolving and expanding in different paths, the IoT challenges in compatibility are increasing simultaneously. There are rising compatibility issues coming from operating systems, varied firmwares, the non-unified cloud services, poor standardized M2M protocols, and others. Other than that, there are several technologies competing to make a mark and become definitive and this is calling for deployment of any additional hardware or software devices.

Hardware (sensors, IoT gateways, actuators, and more) and device compatibility together build an IoT network. Therefore, this challenge can be a roadblock for successful IoT implementation. Any device discontinuation by its manufacturer, device failure on the developer’s end, or not being able to replace a specific device  should not be the area of concern and this is where compatibility of devices needs to be taken care of so that IoT appliances can function without any hurdle.

Undoubtedly, the internet of things has opened the doors to a galore of opportunities and intriguing applications for many industries in the market. But again, there are varying complexities also that come our way. Indeed, it is a tough nut to crack but there is the need to deeply understand the problems and look for solutions that are the right fit to build a robust cornerstone and get our way. One such company that is contributing in its own way to overcome these technical challenges and present state-of-the-art IoT services to its clients is Logic Simplified. An IoT app development company based out of Dehradun that works towards using the right design, validation, testing, protocols/standards, manufacturing and IoT security solutions to ensure that they deliver what is expected of them with utmost attention to detail and quality.

The internet world is blooming. It is not only about laptops, computers, tablets, and smartphones anymore. Numerous devices are now internet-connected. Door locks, washing machines, robotic vacuum cleaners, toys, and toasters are part of the list of “smart” devices. 

There is no denying the fact that IoT is a powerful tool for business sectors to optimise their operations, increase profits, and minimize the overheads as it has now been incorporated with AI and data analytics software. You can now find the smartest technologies around you, be it on smartphones, security systems, smart appliances, or cars.

Before we go further, let me give you a brief about this growing technology that has taken over the world and the impact of IoT2020. 

What is IoT?

IoT refers to a wide array of internet-connected devices that can interact with other devices and networks. They can perform many activities but are most commonly used to collect data and perform specific actions. Basically, a network of connected gadgets that allows sharing of data within the network. All the gadgets are constrained by sensors that are built in it. IoT provides a typical platform for dumping their data and a common language to communicate with each other. 

You may also read: IoT data collection & reporting in the light of cloud computing

2020: The year in review

With the COVID-19 crisis, we can assume that there have not been many major advances in the technology field. The global pandemic has caused a significant setback in the technology sector. Many advancements, including 5G and IoT, which were predicted in 2020, had to be moved to later years. 

But many improvements were made in the employment and business sectors, as in health care during the year 2020. The global pandemic has forced all the business organizations to change their working practices and goals in a few weeks. For example, 2020 was the year of working from home, and the use of numerous remote-work platforms and technologies that exploded suddenly. Connectivity and the capability to perform home activities from purchasing items like groceries to attending international conferences became more crucial than before. So, 2020 drove companies and employees to become more focused on technology for professional and personal benefit. 

As businesses strive to develop digital innovations into the post-pandemic world, it is anticipated that 2021 will meet sustainable development trends. As physical interactions across the globe are constrained, industry sectors like restaurants, shopping malls are in the course of becoming more digital. Thus, there is no wrong in assuming 2021 and 2022 as the “digital year”.

According to a report study by SafeAtLast, there were around 15.41 billion IoT connected devices in 2015, which have risen to 26.66 billion. In 2021, an estimated 35 billion IoT devices will be installed worldwide, and it is expected to reach 75 billion by 2025. This increasingly growing number of IoT devices would create additional opportunities for large and small companies to reap the smart technologies’ benefits. 

Looking ahead to IoT in 2021 and beyond, the technology is all set to be the heart of every enterprise. IoT is a technology of hope. This year, few of the trends will come to the forefront, increasing its significance, right from basic health-and-safety needs to data-intensive experiences, edge computing, etc. So, let’s have a look at the future of IoT trends in 2021 that will change your life.    

IoT and Big Data 

IoT and big data - these two major innovations have developed independently, but they are now interrelated. They compliment each other well. In addition, several IoT devices are based on chips, and the main objective of this is to monitor the user’s activity. 

The concept behind integrating these two technologies is to obtain valuable information that can assist in making informed decisions. This is the primary reason big data development and the IoT are essential in making effective business moves. This is the new trend that is emerging and will surely boom in the year ahead.  

IoT and Machine Learning

IoT brings more smart tools into our lives and therefore contact from machine to machine becomes more advanced. Machine learning allows you to predict the outcomes of various scenarios better. Analysis of users is constant, whereas the algorithms of machine learning get better over time. 

You may also read: Predictive data analytics & machine learning applications across industries

As the IoT devices communicate with other devices, training the smart devices has become more straightforward: you can train them all by training just one device. For example, Apple introduced the Apple watch 4 series in 2018, redesigned and re-engineered with an advanced health monitor. It measures the heart rate of the user and includes a new accelerometer and gyroscope. These features detect hard falls and an electric heart rate sensor that can take an electrocardiogram (ECG) using the ECG app.

IoT and Artificial Intelligence

When combined with AI, IoT can do wonders for your business, and be used to develop highly smart and robust applications. In the past decade, AI has already received a lot of hype, and it continues to be a 2021 trend due to its notable influence on how we live, work, and play. 

From 2021 onwards, AI algorithms will need fewer data to generate more efficient results. As IoT devices generate higher and increased quality data, the amalgamation of these two technologies offers increasingly beneficial insights. In industrial companies, IoT and AI will automate processes to minimise the operational costs and reduce downtime. On a commercial level, these two in a combination will help wearable devices as well as other gadgets to understand human behaviour in an automated way better.  

Blockchain for IoT security

What does Blockchain technology mean? Is this technology the new internet? It is a technology that allows a company and individual to make instant transactions without any involvement of the third party. It works in the same way as the financial bank works. These days security is the main concern for businesses that deal with digital money transfer. And what can be a better way to transfer the money securely. 

The blockchain and IoT technology encrypts the information and stores it in the form of a chain. The transactions are highly encrypted and cannot be changed or hacked. Blockchain IoT solutions are extensively used by financial companies and government institutions, consumers, entrepreneurs, and industrialists. This is one of the most prominent IoT trends that will bring a considerable difference in the technology field and promote its advanced application to create technological devices. 

Fast and smooth 5G experience

The introduction of 5G, after the 2020 pandemic, opens several doors for future emerging technologies. As 4G is combined with office work and other internet browsing, whereas, for immersive technology such as AI robotics, self-driving cars, cloud computing, virtual reality, etc. 5G gives more importance to instant communication to work effectively with low latency. 

Also, reduced latency will allow the connected IoT devices to send and receive the data much faster than before, enabling the analysis and data management to run at a level that is impossible in 4G networks. With the global pandemic, video streaming and telecommunications became a much-needed component. 

The surge from 4G to the upcoming 5G comes down to fast communication and swift response. This instant communication will create new possibilities for AI technologies or IoT. According to the study, with the rise in 5G, IoT sectors have over 50% better gains. Thus, telecom firms have said to roll out 5G networks in countries like India and the US in the second half of 2021.

Prominence of edge computing over cloud computing

In the coming years, edge computing will see a great deal of prominence over cloud computing. The number of advantages it provides makes more and more people and industries will be inclined to use edge computing. IoT devices were previously based on the cloud for data storing needs. But now, rather than sending your entire data to the cloud from the IoT device, it is first transferred to a local device located closer to the device or the edge of the network. 

Now, the local storage device(edge) will send a certain part of the data to the cloud directly once sorting and calculating the data. This helps in reducing the traffic to the network. This process manages a large amount of information sent by each device. Also, reduced dependency on the cloud enables apps to run and minimise latency.

IoT and healthcare industry

One of the most crucial IoT applications that will rule the IoT app development in the year ahead is the healthcare industry. The global pandemic and constant lockdowns have forced everyone to consider the importance of the IoT. People have taken a step forward in using connected healthcare applications in the form of smart wearables to monitor their health and manage their illness. The IoT medical devices are expected to reach $72.02 billion by 2021 equivalent to the compound annual growth rate of 26.2%. 

Source: Aabme.asme.org

Healthcare devices that are excellently well set up with IoT makes it easier to track the patients’ health status. The 2020 pandemic has significantly increased telemedicine resources. In April 2020, 43.5% of people used telehealth facilities. One of telemedicine’s main advantages is that it eliminates the interaction between healthcare workers, patients, and other patients. 

Source: Mobidev.biz

Even after the pandemic is over, telemedicine is expected to continue. Healthcare is now using several sensors and wearable sensors, tracking, indoor navigation technology for healthcare facilities. Mobile health apps as well as digital assistants to monitor the health of the patients at home and a variety of other connected devices will help in reshape the medical world. 

Increase in smart city solutions

Over the last five years, we have witnessed many government entities implementing IoT projects that impact entire cities. For instance, Singapore uses a Smart Nation Sensor Platform (SNSP) to collect, process, and transmit data from connected sensors and devices to strengthen transportation, public safety, and urban planning on the island. 

Amsterdam’s city government uses a public Wi-Fi network, smart lighting with dimmable LED lights, and cameras in the squares of the city. 

As these great projects commence to generate enormous amounts of data, governments have the chance to introduce several intelligent solutions in order to improve the safety of their people, reduce traffic congestion, unleash sustainable development, and foster economic growth. Thanks to the implementation of artificial intelligence. 5G and edge computing innovations can advance data processing to a higher level as cities are turned into hubs for development.

IoT is all set to integrate with other technologies to make life simple and smart. As per market experts, the IoT industry will expand rapidly in the coming years and transform how we see things around us.  Whether we talk about the role of the Internet of Things in healthcare services or the great prominence of edge computing, developments in this technology will continue to significant success in the whole technological ecosystems across the globe. These IoT trends will favour both entrepreneurs and consumers, and almost all the industries will experience an increase in their business.   

Have any IoT projects in mind? IoT development experts at Logic Simplified offer a wide range of IoT app development services. Our IoT developers use advanced platforms for IoT developments like Amazon Web Series, Google Cloud IoT, openHAB and more. Throughout your business idea, we will guide you and create a next-gen IoT solution that actually benefits your business and your end customers. For any query related to IoT development, please contact us here or write to us at enquiry@logicsimplified.com

Security Breach Risk because of Lack of Compliance from Manufacturers

Manufacturers release new IoT devices into the market each day but most of them have undiscovered vulnerabilities. One of the major reasons IoT security issues is not spending enough time and resources while manufacturing IoT devices. For example, most fitness trackers that come with bluetooth remain visible after the first pairing. A smart refrigerator can give hackers an opportunity to access gmail credentials. Because of no universal IoT security standard being set as yet, manufacturers tend to create devices with poor security and do not include security as an important element in their product design process. The biggest IoT risks from manufacturing include weak or guessable passwords, unsecured hardware, absence of a secure update mechanism, lack of patching mechanism, insecure data transfer and storage

Security Issues because of No Patching and Update Management

Even if a manufacturer created a secure hardware and software for an IoT product, new vulnerabilities would eventually be discovered. This is the top reason why updates are so important to protect IoT devices from new vulnerabilities. Other devices like computers and smartphones get automatic updates, but some IoT devices lack necessary updates. An important point to consider here is that during an update, a device will be tasked to keep a backup on the cloud causing a short downtime. If encryption technique is not used for the connection and the update files are not protected, a hacker can stand a chance to steal sensitive information. Also, the nature and use of IoT devices make it difficult to release updates regularly. Think of sensors sprawling over hundreds of acres of farmland or of IoT devices on a factory floor that need to go offline for updates resulting in production loss.

Also read 7 factors companies must consider for IoT software app development.

Botnet Attacks

A real threat does not come from just a single IoT device infected with malware, but from many of those infected IoT devices to bring down anything.  A hacker can perform a botnet attack by creating an army of bots by using malware and then sending numerous requests per second to bring down targets like electricity grids, transportation systems, water treatment facilities, and manufacturing plants and more. Serious concerns over IoT security were raised after the Mirai bot attack in 2016. A  massive distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack brought down the DNS that provided services to platforms like GitHub, Twitter, Reddit, Netflix, and Airbnb. IoT devices can easily fall prey to malware attacks majorly because of no regular software security updates that a computer usually gets. So, IoT devices can be easily turned into infected zombies and can be used to send incredibly vast amounts of traffic.

Lack of Physical Security

Lack of physical hardening can also lead to security breaches. Many IoT devices do not require human intervention but these devices are sometimes installed in remote locations which makes them prone to outer threats. Criminals can physically temper them, for example, by using a USB flash drive with malware. Users must take the responsibility of physically securing their IoT devices. Without adequate protection, a smart motion sensor or a video camera outside a building or house can be tampered with and render any data it collects or relays, unreliable.

Also read how Blockchain and IoT Technology empower each other.

Lack of User Knowledge and Awareness Around IoT

Internet users have learned over the years how to avoid phishing emails, run virus scans on their PCs, and create strong passwords to secure their WiFi networks. But things are not the same with IoT as it’s still a new technology and even many seasoned IT professionals have lack of knowledge and awareness of IoT devices. The 2010 Stuxnet attack against a nuclear facility in Iran strongly shows how the user’s ignorance and lack of awareness can create severe IoT security risks.  The target of the attack was industrial programmable logic controllers (PLCs), which function similar to IoT devices. The attack happened after a worker plugged a USB flash drive into one of the plant’s computers, causing physical damage to around 1,000 centrifuges. It’s often a doddle to trick a human to gain access to sensitive information and this IoT risk should not be overlooked in social engineering attacks.

Ransomware can Hijack IoT Devices

Ransomware is an evolving IoT attack which stops access to sensitive files. Although a ransomware attack does not cause any harm to your sensitive files, it can lock down the entire functionality of your device. IoT devices with poor security can become targets of ransomware and may put a user in a situation where a hacker asks them to pay a ransom to start their car or unlock their house or for the decryption key to unlock their sensitive files. Just eight days before Trump inauguration speech, cybercriminals attacked police surveillance cameras with ransomware in Washington DC. The ransomware attack infected 70% of the CCTVs and the police couldn’t record for several days. IoT devices like wearables, healthcare gadgets, smart homes, and other smart devices will be at risk of ransomware attacks if there’s cutting corners in security.

Espionage & Eavesdropping

Some IoT devices give unnecessary access to others and put your sensitive information at risk. The interactive IoT doll is a good example which gave access to the toy’s microphone and speaker to anyone within the 25-30 meter radius. It was banned and labeled as an espionage device in Germany. Many IoT devices like health equipment, smart toys, wearables, etc. record user information and hackers can get access to sensitive information if your device behaves like an espionage. Some countries have already started banning IoT devices with security issues.

The security risks discussed above show how IoT devices are at more risk than other computing devices. Whether it’s IoT software app development or IoT hardware manufacturing, strong security protocols should be followed at all levels to avoid hack attacks.

Logic Simplified offers IoT app development services and keeps security as a top priority. Our IoT app development company builds secure IoT solutions for platforms like Amazon Web Services IoT, Microsoft Azure IoT, Google Cloud IoT, openHAB, IBM Bluemix IoT and more. We are experts in programming languages, development frameworks, communication protocols, sensor technology and 3 party APIs for IoT development. For any query related to IoT development, please write to us at enquiry@logicsimplified.com.

What Does an IoT Developer Do?

IoT related work is carried out by three types of professionals

1. The network specialists who manage connectivity

2. The data analysts who collect data from the devices and interpret it

3. The engineers who develop the platforms, software, hardware, and systems that allow these devices to work.

IoT developers fall into the last category; these individuals are responsible for overseeing the production of the devices or sensors. It includes most prominent programming software that allows the device at hand to both connect with other systems as well as function accurately on its own. Though responsibilities will vary considerably depending on the industry, other job roles may include designing, coding, and testing features of products that are meant for connecting to other devices. Some projects may also require developing embedded software that’s cloud-compatible, to allow products to integrate accurately with one another. We will now list the skills and know-how that you should look for in a good IoT developer.

AI and Machine Learning

AI and IoT together are reinventing the way businesses used to operate. AI with its powerful subset of machine learning has paved the way for smarter task execution with real-time analysis and better interaction between people and machines. IoT, on the other, has raised the level of communication between devices and humans via effective intelligent technology. The convergence of the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence makes each other’s applications more diverse and robust.

An IoT developer maintains the skills of analyzing and gathering a huge amount of data for interpreting the pattern and predicting the result. With the rise in complexity, AI is used for managing the tasks and autonomous decisions are made with  AI as well. The algorithms of machine learning, on the other hand,  are used for creating smarter devices with the help of data sensors. 

IoT developers possess the skills of machine learning and big data management that helps them in making predictions based on the identification of data patterns. Every company needs skilled IoT developers IoT software app development who can harvest the data from the IoT sensors and connected devices.

Application design and development

The IoT market is widespread, and it has something to offer to many other markets. Internet of things application development services are becoming more popular. Web and mobile applications provide user interfaces for communicating with and consuming data from IoT devices.  IoT devices, however, are equipped with their user interfaces. Voice-based and gesture-based interfaces are gaining popularity within IoT, especially for home automation, while augmented reality interfaces provide opportunities for extending IoT data over the physical world. As a result, UI and UX design skills are some of the trending skills in the IoT industry.

Web and mobile applications are created with the help of high-level languages, with Java, Swift, and Node.js among the top languages for IoT app development services. GPS programming skills are in high demand, as are various IoT applications, including wearables and smart vehicles, that track location.  IoT developers keep track of emerging frameworks and developer kits that they can utilize for rapid prototyping, as well as IoT platforms to provide foundation and means to automate developing, deploying, maintaining, and operating IoT applications.

Security Knowledge

In the last decade or so, we have observed the explosion in the data industry. We have seen security issues at the top of the list of priorities of every business. Especially in the IoT industry, because consumers want to be sure if their information and data is safe. To keep the data private and safe, they have to be familiar with public key infrastructure,  ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment, network security etc. A specialization in cybersecurity is another significant role for an IoT developer. Whether it is IoT data collection or processing, it's an essential part of developing IoT devices and the key to the success of the business. 

Cloud Computing

The underlying idea behind IoT and Cloud computing is to increase efficiency in the day to day tasks, without interrupting the quality of the data being collected or transferred.  Since the relationship is shared, both the services complement each other perfectly. The IoT becomes the source of the data, while the Cloud becomes the destination for it to be stored. 

Due to the interconnected network in IoT, there is also a large amount of data to handle. It requires secure data storage which poses a huge challenge for IoT developers. This is the reason why the IoT industry has professionals who are expert in or have a previous history of working with cloud computing technologies for better analysis-ready data storage and management solutions. 

Business Intelligence

BI (business intelligence), is changing, as a result of the IoT. Data has become a new kind of currency in the modern-day world, and about everything we do in life and business generates data. We see every connected machine and smart devices generate incomprehensible amounts of information every second of the day. With so many devices consuming and sending and receiving terabytes of new information, the true potential of "big data” will be accomplished. Organizations try to collect, store and analyze smart device data streams for actionable intelligence business. IoT professionals with skills in sensor data analysis, data centre management, predictive analytics, PaaS, as well as programming skills in popular big data platforms like Apache Hadoop and NoSQL are ideally suitable to meet the needs. 

Networking

IoT sensors and applications can be retrieved with the help of smart devices. There are several networking tools and techniques needed to connect them efficiently with the apps. IoT professionals generally acquire networking expertise. The sensors associated with the internet of things environment connect with the ecosystem around them. The collected information is sent to get examined. The communication network design needs to be sound, reliable and secure. Therefore, internet Protocol networking is one of the essential skills sets  acquired by IoT developers

In addition to network design, the developer has practical knowledge of network standards, protocols, and technologies. It includes Wi-Fi, Low Energy Bluetooth, Zigbee,  RFID technologies used in consumer applications, and in Low Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) technologies like LoRa.

UX/UI Design

Designing a valuable and intuitive user experience for an IoT system in itself can be challenging given the complicated nature and modernity of this technology. Creating UI/UX design for IoT mobile application development is particularly sensitive. So it becomes necessary that the design of the interface between user and device is user friendly and equally efficient.

This skill set of IoT developers comes in handy to make the quality of product efficient. Some of the skill sets they have as a UX/UI designer on the internet of things development are responsive design and service design. If anything goes wrong, UI must be furnished enough to supervise users. Hence, one of the challenges for IoT developers is to develop skills to build intuitive and sophisticated UI with easy-to-understand and interactive elements. 

Consider the Critical Role of Sensors

In most of the automated solution, sensors are responsible for exchanging the live data to a digitally connected system. Developers working with IoT development platforms have detailed knowledge and precise understanding of how sensors operate and integrate into the IoT-powered architecture. IoT developers are skilled in wireless solutions and embedded systems and related functionalities.

LOGIC SIMPLIFIED FOR IOT DEVELOPMENT

Logic Simplified, an IoT app development company based in Dehradun, India, is committed to delivering high-end IoT solutions. Logic Simplified focuses on vision technology, home automation & smart office, connected cars & traffic, healthcare, retail, smart grid appliances, and education. Our IoT developers use sophisticated platforms for IoT development, such as Amazon Web Services IoT, Microsoft Azure IoT, Google Cloud IoT, and more. Third-party APIs we use include Google Assistant, Google Home, Google Vision, Apple HomeKit, MI Light, Cortana, Alexa Voice Service, Philips Hue and Android Things. 

Our team of programmers use C/C++, Python, Ruby and JavaScript to program IoT systems. We have already built various IoT apps of international standards. The experience of our offshore team in the domain can significantly help you save development time and cut expenses. We can help you to build a top-notch IoT solution too. If you want to discuss your IoT development plan with us, reach us at enquiry@logicsimplified.com, and our authorities will get back to you shortly to tell you how we can be your perfect technology partner to build a smart IoT app.

There are various new revolutionary technologies also backing the burgeoning growth of IoT devices that are now much more intelligent and useful than Romkey’s toaster. And we know them as  AI/ML, Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Digital Twins, Edge Computing, AR/VR, Blockchain, and the next generation mobile connection technology 5G. But, it’s not an easy task to build a complex application, especially for IoT hardware. It requires tech expertise and knowledge of cutting-edge platforms to come up with the best practices when building an IoT solution. That said, I am listing down 7 best platforms for IoT development that most IoT companies are using in 2020 to build impeccable IoT solutions.

1. Microsoft Azure IoT

Azure IoT offers a collection of managed and platform services from edge to cloud that connect and handle billions of IoT assets. Azure IoT also includes security and operating systems for devices and equipment, along with data analytics to help you build, deploy and control IoT applications. Azure IoT Edge, Azure Stack and Azure Stack Edge allow you to handle push applications and workloads to the edge. Azure IoT Hub and Azure IoT Central are very popular services that an IoT app development company can use for connecting and managing device data with flexibility. You can also create digital models of entire environments using Azure Digital Twins. Azure Stream Analytics helps process a large amount of data generated by sensors, whereas Azure Time Series Insights allows you to explore and gain insights from time-series IoT data in real-time. Microsoft is making continuous efforts to build more IoT products and its new IoT business solution focuses on removing waste through AI and ML and boosting business productivity. Azure is a very popular platform which many businesses are using for easier and productive IoT development.

2. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS is another popular platform available today for IoT development. AWS is also a managed cloud-based platform that connects your IoT device to other devices and AWS cloud services. AWS offers FreeRTOS (an open-source, real-time operating system for microcontrollers) and AWS IoT Greengrass to connect your device and operate them at the edge. So, your edge devices can act locally on the data they generate, while the cloud will still be used for management, analytics, and durable storage. Using FreeRTOS, you can easily program, deploy, secure, connect, and manage small, low-powered edge devices. For robust security, control and management of your devices from the cloud, AWS IoT suite includes AWS IoT Core, AWS IoT Device Defender and  AWS IoT Device Management. AWS IoT Analytics and AWS IoT Events allow you to run sophisticated analytics on massive amounts of IoT data. Several companies globally use AWS for IoT development as it provides an exclusively solid and easy-to-use framework in the cloud, along with versatility, adaptability and cost-effectiveness.

3. IBM Watson

IBM Watson is an API offering centralized service for connecting sensors, service transceivers, and backend. Watson also brings Blockchain and IoT technology together and enable data analytics that allow businesses (especially manufacturing, electronics management, and infrastructures that require lots of maintenance)  to capture and explore data for devices, equipment, and machines, and get executable insights for better decision-making. IBM Edge Application Manager helps scale run edge solutions anywhere with autonomous management to act on insights closer to where data is created. 

The portfolio of edge-enabled applications and services include  IBM Visual Insights, IBM Production Optimization, IBM Connected Manufacturing, IBM Asset Optimization, IBM Maximo Worker Insights and IBM Visual Inspector. With IBM Waston, you get the flexibility to deploy AI and cognitive applications and services at scale. Watson’s advanced machine learning solutions help analyze data and detect anomalies in the historical data. You can dynamically retrain models, automatically generate APIs to build AI-powered applications, and streamline model management and deployment end-to-end with an easy-to-use interface. IoT data collection and processing play a big role in the success of IoT projects to which IBM Watson provides some brilliant services to use easily and for high accuracy.

4. Home Assistant

It is an open-source tool for home automation that puts local control and privacy first. Home Assistant is designed after combining Home Assistant Core and tools which allow users to run it easily on a Raspberry Pi and other platforms without setting up an operating system first. Home Assistant functions with a Python-based coding system. You can set up your own Home Assistant server with MQTT support. Using Home Assistant, you can build an IoT system that can be easily controlled with mobile or desktop browsers. 

Though Home Assistant lacks cloud components, it’s well trusted by customers for operations, security and privacy in this Internet age. The recommended hardware for Home Assistant is a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, but you can also use it on an existing, more traditional Linux host by using Docker. Home Assistant addresses the security concerns over sending private data to centralized servers for processing, let’s say simply for turning on lights of your home. This platform provides a private centralized hub for automation and communication between a home's various IoT devices. Home Assistant is a popular platform, approaching its 600th release from nearly 2,000 contributors on GitHub.

5. Arduino

Arduino is an IT company based in Italy and builds microcontroller boards, interactive objects and kits for IoT development. Arduino is the most preferred IDE for IoT and provides a full-blown, mature and very well optimized platform to interconnect different hardware systems. It acts as the brain of the system and processes the data from sensors and comes with an ATMEGA microcontroller that processes the data and facilitates the proper working of the IoT system. The beauty of Arduino is that it can be programmed ‘n’ number of times, which means you can use it for various types of IoT projects just by making changes in a simple code. C++ is used for Arduino programming and an IDE software for Arduino based IoT projects. You can build hardware using Arduino by feeding a logic to take input from the environment, process it, and produce a desirable output. For example, your garden sprinkler to start pumping water when the temperature outside is greater than 50 degrees or automatically pulling out your window blinds at a fixed time in the morning.

6. Eclipse IoT

Eclipse IoT provides a set of services and frameworks for IoT software app development. It allows developers to build M2M and IoT applications and enable features such as device management, wired/wireless communication, and vertical solutions. Eclipse IoT is a collaboration of various companies and individuals who are committed to build a set of open source IoT technologies. Among its major services is SmartHome which helps create a framework for building smart home solutions. SmartHome facilitates interaction between devices by providing uniform device and information access. Eclipse SCADA makes it possible to connect various industrial instruments to a shared communication system. Besides, it post-processes data and sends data visualizations to operators.

Eclipse IoT also embraces important standards and its libraries  are superb for M2M/IoT device communication via MQTT, CoAP or ETSI M2M. Eclipse Ditto is where IoT devices and their digital twins get together. This framework enables you to manage the state of digital twins. By providing search functionality on meta data and state data, Eclipse Ditto also allows you to organize your set of digital twins, building a bridge between real-world IoT devices via their digital representations and applications. Eclipse Ditto is where IoT devices and their digital twins get together. This framework enables you to manage the state of digital twins. By providing a search functionality on meta data and state data. Eclipse Ditto brings IoT devices and their digital twins together. You can organize your set of digital twins and build a bridge between real-world IoT devices through their digital representations and applications.

7. Contiki

Contiki is a very popular open-source IoT operating system, especially for low power microcontrollers and other IoT devices to run effectively using Internet protocol IPv6, and IPv4. Contiki is written using C to provide a rapid environment for development in a single download. It also supports wireless standard CoAP, 6lowpan, and RPL. You need only 10kb of RAM and 30 kb of ROM to run this IoT operating system. Contiki programming model uses Protothread memory-efficient programming. Contiki has broken many myths about the smallest footprint in which an OS can be stored and made to function. It also has ports available on other platforms such as Arduino and Atmel. Contiki’s functions include process and memory management, communication management, file system management, and more.

With this, I have covered 7 top platforms for IoT development. From tech giants (like Google, Amazon, IBM Corporation, Cisco and Microsoft) to many startups with great IoT ideas and backed by big funding (like Alert Media, Armis Security and Element Analytics) are now leveraging IoT development to create a smarter world where people don’t need to wait as devices communicate. We are also witnessing IoT applications such as driverless cars, smart homes, smart healthcare, smart grids, and many more turning into reality. If you are also looking forward to building an IoT solution to solve a real-world problem, Logic Simplified can help shape your idea into a reality.

Why Logic Simplified for IoT Development?

Logic Simplified, an IoT application development service company based in Dehradun, India, is committed to deliver high-end IoT solutions. Logic Simplified’s focus areas in IoT are vision technology, home automation & smart office, connected cars & traffic, healthcare, retail, smart grid appliances, and education. Our IoT developers use sophisticated platforms for IoT development, such as Amazon Web Services IoT, Microsoft Azure IoT, Google Cloud IoT, and more. Third party APIs we use include Google Assistant, Google Home, Google Vision, Apple HomeKit, MI Light, Cortana, Alexa Voice Service, Philips Hue and  Android Things. Our team of programmers use C/C++, Python, Ruby and JavaScript to program IoT systems. We have already built various IoT apps of international standards and the experience of our offshore team in the field can significantly help you save development time and cut costs. For example, we have built a mobile application that correctly suggests the best fit of any garment or footwear. Another is a security device which notifies users through their smartphones when any vehicle comes in a defined radius on the rear side of their vehicles. We can help you too to build a top-notch IoT solution. If you want to discuss your IoT development idea with us, write to us at enquiry@logicsimplified.com, and our experts will get back to you shortly to tell you how we can be your perfect technology partner to build a smart IoT app.

When compared to desktops and mobile devices, IoT devices have less power, memory, processing and size. It is thus important to choose an IoT operating system that fits the capabilities of the device and the requirements for its functionality. The architecture of IoT systems involves a large number of sensors connected to gateways, which in turn are connected to remote cloud platforms. IoT OS is critical to connectivity, security, networking, storage, remote device management, protocol support, security and other IoT system needs. Some IoT systems have the capability to process data in real time and are referred to as real-time operating systems (RTOS). As every IoT device has its perspective, the choice comes down to the careful assessment of all the requirements and capability of different IoT operating systems available in the market. However, according to the IoT Developer Survey, Linux remains the top IoT OS choice for IoT microcontrollers, constrained devices and gateways.

Source: IoT Developer Survey

What makes the Internet of Things work is interaction between sensors, devices, gateways, servers, and user applications. But, there are IoT standards and protocols to follow to make an IOT system function and transfer information in the online mode only when devices are safely connected to a communication network. General protocols used for personal computers, smartphones or tablets may have IoT devices constraints such as bandwidth, range, and power consumption, which is why multiple IoT network protocols have been developed and new ones are still evolving. In addition to wired (USB, Serial, Ethernet, etc.) and wireless (Wi-Fi, BT, ZigBee, LoRA, etc.) protocols, IoT systems have multiple IoT protocols that typically have low transmission overheads like MQTT, CoAP, AMQP, XMPP or UDP. These IoT protocols allow to produce smaller data overheads and optimize for use in restrictive device and network environments. However, which one to choose to fully meet your requirements can be tricky. Also, there are at least 10 implementations of each IoT protocol, thus confusion is inevitable. But, you can easily find the resolve by consulting an expert IoT developer and service provider to get things going right for your IoT system. 

Since IoT applications generate huge amounts of data, data collection and processing play a big role in making IoT systems work well.  So, a lot of planning needs to be done for the way data is collected, stored or processed within an environment. Data size stored on the cloud and compliance with platform requirements are other two important factors to consider for effective IoT data collection and processing. It’s only good to involve data experts, analytics engineers and machine learning experts to get vital insights from data stored. In IoT software development, data plays a big role but what’s even more important is how the collected data is processed and used.  

Cross-platform compatibility is a very crucial aspect of IoT development as the IoT ecosystem includes devices with different architectures, protocols and operating systems. The IoT development team must achieve a right balance between hardware and software functions so that the IoT platform delivers the best performance despite heavy OS, device updates and bug fixings. IoT applications run on the web and mobile devices as well, hence need to be compatible.  There are SDKs and APIs available from many vendors to add new functionalities to an already developed IoT application.

As IoT is all about numerous connected devices, IoT network can be vulnerable to hacking and other cyber attacks. As more and more IoT applications are being built for homes and other personal spaces, hackers may have multiple juicy targets to scan for vulnerability and spy on people. In fact, security is one of the most important concerns of IoT development and the 2016 Dyn cyber attack is worth a reminder about the vulnerability posed by IoT. To deal with these precarious situations, developers are currently using communication-layer security (TLS or DTLS) and data encryption as the best remedies, but blockchain or distributed ledger technology is likely to surpass them as it matures in the future and the barriers making it sometimes impractical for constrained/embedded devices gradually disappear. Learn how Blockchain and IoT Technology empower each other.

Quality assurance is another important aspect of IoT software development as IoT is inherently a complex shared system with numerous integrated network components, applications and resources. Without proper testing, there may occur constraints in communication, computation and energy. To develop a reliable and optimized IoT device, quality assurance is a must and all underlying processes and each small entity should be tested in detail. Among various types of testing, some are component testing, exception testing, compatibility testing, performance testing and security testing. The QA team plays a very important role in detecting errors that hinder the ability of an IoT platform to work efficiently and the ability of the entire network of IoT devices to work well with each other and deliver as expected. 

No matter how complicated it is to build an IoT application, users must not experience any trouble using it. So, an IoT app should be design-driven and as simple as possible for use. No user wants to read a manual to install and set a new device or update a smartwatch. This is why it’s important that IoT developers and designers work in tandem from the beginning to ensure:

• • Secure but simple onboarding

• • Seamless transition between devices and systems

• • User experience personalization and adjusting products to behavior patterns

• Unified environment for the entire IoT system

The top programming languages used for IoT software development are Java, C/C++, Python, Javascript, Swift, Kotlin and Ruby. Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure are the top 2 cloud services available for IoT. But you don’t have to worry about the technical requirements and implementations for your IoT project, as Logic Simplified shares all the technology burden to convert your IoT idea into a reality.

Logic Simplified is a game app developer and an  IoT app development company which offers services ranging from consulting to designing, development, testing, integration, launch and post-launch support. Our team of developers has the expertise in using machine-learning algorithms and Big Data solutions to empower your IoT devices to make intelligent decisions in real-time. We also offer IoT cloud services to ensure quality data storing, processing, and transferring in the cloud. We are a go-to company for IoT software development as we have hands-on experience of using various programming languages, development frameworks, platforms, communication protocols, sensor technologies, 3 party-APIs and other tech solutions. Get in touch with us or discuss your IoT project by writing to us at enquiry@logicsimplfied.com, and we promise to get back to you shortly to provide you with tailor-made solutions that will precisely meet all your IoT project needs.

The term Blockchain means an encrypted database used to keep records that are distributed and verified across thousands of computer servers with reduced chances of security breaches. Initially, the technology started with cryptocurrency and is now entering various other domains. Use of blockchain in finance, healthcare, defense, government, law, energy, you name it. Either it is already acclaimed to being used or industries are getting ready to put their hands on it. Indeed, there are no just-in-cases with Blockchain, it is a breakthrough invention intended on being employed in every industry and vertical.  With a few shortcomings in place, technologists are scrambling their ways to come up with better versions of it.

While on the flip side, IoT, as we all know it, is making things smart by embedding smart sensors into everything. With IoT development, the public sector, several industries like manufacturing, transportation, automotive, consumer goods, and healthcare are not the same. Its impact is being felt in our lives.

Blockchain combating

The IoT security issues

Huge amount of data transmission between systems and devices is involved in the Internet of Things. With every device being added to the network comes the risk of unauthorized access. Unencrypted or weak encryption data transfers, large number of devices and protocols involved in network implementation increase the chances of hackers to enter the IoT architecture. Along with all that, safe functioning of an IoT platform and secure management of data becomes a compelling challenge. 

Blockchain technology came as an advantage to overcome these security challenges with its capability to maintain a growing number of data recorded in blocks at various levels. Transactions could be recorded orderly and carefully with Blockchain which means the history of connected devices could also be easily and securely recorded. Software attacks (malware or virus attacks), network breaches, encryption attacks could be prevented. In all, Blockchain-as-a-service was bridging the security gaps and bringing solutions to eliminate the threats posed by IoT. 

Over the time, the stand outs for Blockchain technology that have been noticed are -

• • Transparency to community and customer

• • Increased efficiency

• • Enhanced security and scalability

• • Improved traceability

• • Simpler integration

• • Tamper-resistant

Blockchain and IoT use cases

Somehow, knowing about the advantages that come with Blockchain, experts believe that Blockchain is still in its early day. It will take a while for its value to be understood and for us to fulfill it’s worth. Also, there might come a time that this merger becomes a necessity for us.

Meanwhile, there are several IoT integrated Blockchain platforms being created to produce high-end solutions. IOTA that supports machine-to-machine communication, fee-less micropayments, and quantum resistant data. Maru Basic, an integrated blockchain and IoT hardware solution built by Chain of Things (CoT) to securely collect and report data. It also solves IoT's issues with identity, security, and interoperability. The Hyundai Digital Asset Company is incorporating Blockchain technology into IoT devices for quick and effective communication, identity verification, authentication, and data storage.

Many others could be added to the list of creating combinations of RFID and blockchain technologies for effective IoT integration but this will only make the list too long. With that, let’s skip to the use cases of this combination by quoting “To know and not to do is really not to know”. It is the applications of a technology or innovation that determines its worth. Read more of that with respect to Blockchain and IoT -

Supply Chain and Logistics

A global supply chain network involves the time and plenitude of payments and invoices. With that, multiple stakeholders, delivery delays becomes a big challenge. The potential of IoT-enabled vehicles is put to use to track the movement throughout the shipment process. The transparency and complexities lacking in the supply chain and logistics can be prevailed over by the reliability and traceability that comes from Blockchain and IoT. The details obtained from IoT sensors are stored and saved in the Blockchain that is accessible to the stakeholders.

Automotive Industry

Digitization is taking over the world. Automotive industries are using IoT-enabled sensors to develop fully automated vehicles. The decentralization of an IoT network lets multiple users exchange information easily and quickly. The application of combined technology enables automatic traffic control, autonomous cars, and smart parking. From finding a place in a parking area to the automated calculation of parking charges and making payments - it's being done through sensor technology and crypto-wallets, making people's life easier.

Smart Homes

IoT gave us the convenience of home security systems, and Blockchain development just took it to another level. Before we could manage home and the appliances in it with just a few touches on the smartphone, and now, what's better is the enhanced security that comes with Blockchain. The Biometric, facial recognition, voice recognition data stored in Blockchain ensure that the IoT data collection from smart devices is not modified or altered in any way, guaranteeing improved security.

Pharmaceutical Industry

The transparency and traceability that one gets with Blockchain helps tracking and monitoring the journey of drugs from its origin to the destination of the supply chain. And, this information is available on the Blockchain distributed ledger. It is also accessible to the manufacturers, wholesalers, dispensers, and end-customers from anywhere and at any time.

Agricultural Indusrty

The food production industry can be reshaped by using Blockchain and IoT to its full potential. And why not? IoT sensors can be installed in the fields and farms, and the collected data can be stored in the Blockchain and used to enhance farming techniques and informed decisions regarding it that can be practiced for better production and yield. Not just that, but easy transactions to farmers could be a significant step.

Smart Contracts

Smart contracts let you manage transactions and interactions digitally, making sure of transparency and security. It makes it possible to create agreements that will only be put into action when certain conditions are fulfilled. For example, A connected device will only process payment when it indicates the customer has received the product or service. 

One thing is guaranteed that Blockchain and IoT Technology together promise great strides of development in the near future. And, it is the software development companies that can make the most of these to grow businesses and hence, the economy. One such company is Logic Simplified, an IoT app development company in India with skilled software game app developers who understand the long and short of these two revolutionary technologies. They are surefooted to guide you and help you understand how the use cases of Blockchain IoT combined can be put to use for the betterment of your business. It is wise to make use of the knowledge and intellect that these experts hold a grip on. Because we’re living in a time of innovation and invention and these technology fads, my dear, will connect the world in numerous ways keeping privacy and security on top priority. For any query, email us at enquiry@logicsimplified.com.

IDC says, by 2025 worldwide data will grow 61% to 175 zettabytes, with as much of the data residing in the cloud as in data centers.

Source: NetworkWorld

There's tons of data generated every minute of our lives. And with the rise of IoT, the quantum has only increased multifold. If we come to think of it, it's astonishing how IoT connects or has potential to connect anything to everything - from a pin so tiny to buildings so gigantic, of course, ensuing tons of data. No matter where you are, what you do, or where you go - whether you are using social media or finding a restaurant nearby. Your every action over the internet produces trails of information from different sources overflowing the systems whilst making operations complex. And with IoT, when it doesn’t even require a human action, the data generation is literally 24X7. And, this overwhelming massive and complex data called the Big Data and the complications that arose with it gave rise to cloud storage and computing. 

Before I curb your curiosity and enlighten you on what goes on with all that data, let’s read a bit about the contribution IoT is making during this tough phase of COVID-19.

IoT, in the light of COVID-19:

The history in making

To make no bones about the relevance of cloud-based data processing, let’s take you through some real life instances. We’re all well aware of the outbreak that the whole world is going through but are we aware of the role that cloud data processing and IoT technology are playing along? I think not. How about I give you a walk through it?

1. Initially, as the infectious virus was on its spread, robot assistance was put to use to disinfect hospitals and perform delivery of medicines. Telehealth consultations through video conferencing during the lockdown and using IoT devices to perform digital diagnostics is also on the rise.

2. IoT is being utilized to monitor internet or social media data that can be used to detect the early stages of the virus.

3. Timely analysis of widespread data-sets (on the virus and people & places affected) generated through the Internet of Things and mobile devices is being carried out through data processing.

4. AI computing power is throughout being used for public research institutions around the world so as to accelerate the development process of new virus drugs and vaccines based on the massive scale of data coming in.

5. As coronavirus forced the world’s largest work from home, the demand for cloud-based video conferencing and online teaching skyrocketed.

These applications listed above are just a few of many contributions that this technology is showering upon the world during the tough times and the usuals.

Now, coming back to the question of how do machines grab hold of all the relevant data? It starts with the Sensors. That’s right!

Sensors and Power - run the IoT devices

The data input process involves data collection, encoding, transmission, and communication. There are innumerable smart wireless sensors (camera, accelerometer, GPS, etc) and actuators embedded in physical devices such as security systems, smart appliances, smart TVs, and wearable health meters, etc. that are connected through the internet. The sensors respond to specific types of conditions or changes in the physical world by generating a signal that represents the enormity of the situation being observed. The different sensing parameters here are light, heat, sound, distance, pressure, etc. Their primary purpose being data collection in the IoT architecture.

Nevertheless, the potential of IoT sensors generating ideas and possibilities is way beyond one can imagine. It’s about connecting the dots and understanding how a particular type of sensor can collate specific data in different ways. The process sets off by first understanding the environment and data. Then the relevant and structured data is accepted to achieve overarching objectives. For the use of this, there is a staggering range of sensors, depending on the demand of the IoT device. Few of them are mentioned below.

Water Quality sensors 

They sense the water quality by monitoring mechanisms like chemical presence, oxygen levels, electrical conductivity, pH level, turbidity levels, etc.

Motion sensors 

They are controlled via a smartphone or a computer, in cases of automatic door, automatic parking systems, energy management systems, etc. These sensors use one of any technologies like passive infrared (PIR), microwave detection, or ultrasonic, which uses sound to detect objects. 

Acceleration sensors 

They sense movement and displacement of objects. These make use of technologies like hall-effect sensors, capacitive sensors, piezoelectric sensors, etc. 

Proximity sensors 

They are used to detect the presence and absence of objects near the sensors using several technology designs like inductive, capacitive, photoelectric, ultrasonic. 

Temperature sensors 

They measure the heat energy released by an object or substance like soil, machines, etc. These include thermocouples, thermistors, resistor temperature detectors (RTDs), and integrated circuits (ICs).

There are many others like Digital sensors, Image sensors, IR sensors, Smoke sensors, Infrared sensors, etc. using different mechanisms and serving different purposes. All the data captured by the sensors is integrated into a form that makes sense, only after which sensible Data Analytics can be carried out.

No matter how big or small an IoT device is, or whatever the character differences it may hold, it operates on power. In this case, the power sources could be electricity used in Home automation and industrial appliances, batteries used in wearables or portable IoT devices, or harvesting electrical energy from ambient forms. Ex. Solar cells convert light energy into electrical energy.

Data reporting

“To measure is to know”. Advanced Data Analysis techniques are creating a footprint  in a business sector, healthcare, sports, banking, transportation, energy, etc. Using data analytic tools, algorithms, and supercomputers, large data-sets are analysed to provide meaningful and actionable insights to the end-user. That data is then converted to a format like patterns, statistics, graphs, etc. to create a report. 

For instance, a data analysis report can help a company understand customer preferences, point out revenue opportunities, more effective marketing, and demands that would make them work on their products for better services, products, and customer experience which will result in increased growth, profits and give them a competitive edge in the market. Also, with the ever-evolving technology, businesses and sectors are experiencing increased security and surveillance abilities through video sensors and application of data analytics.

Then there is Predictive Analysis building smart devices, spaces, and cities. These analyzed predictions help control damage, save time, reduce the risk of downtime, prevent road accidents, prevent traffic on roads, track variables like temperature, pressure, vibrations, etc. in industries by using, measuring, and feeding the collected information into an analytics platform.

The setbacks 

Improvement calls for challenges and limitations. And, to come up with better techniques of data processing, it was important to identify the shortcomings. Having said that, while getting familiarised with the technique, there were certain challenges that people came across.

1. Collecting the appropriate or correct data from different sources.

2. Duplicacy of Data - As the data is collected from different sources, there are chances of duplicate data which can lead to incorrect analysis and results.

3. Inconsistent Data - Again, as the sources are different, there are chances of receiving heterogenous data. 

4. Inconsistent data collection standards - At present, there are many data collection standards in different states and countries, some of which are inconsistent. The reason being the difference in the scope of information collected for various services. This inconsistency makes it difficult for services to compare data sets.

5. Data integration - Lack of knowledge or skills, technological advancements, data problems can make collecting data and organizing it difficult.

Turning setbacks to progress

And so came the solutions which were mostly about being precise and particular with every step involved in the process. And, if you get that right then those setbacks can most certainly be turned to progress. 

1. Direct and careful observation while collecting data. 

2. Surveys can help researchers precisely structure the data collection plan.

3. Deduplication technology should be used for the elimination of redundant data, which will also free storage space and help in achieving precise and high accuracy data. This is where Blockchain and IoT Technology together can turn ugly things on their head.

4. Inconsistency and the variety in data can be checked by Indexing and Meta description. Data profiling helps with identifying abnormalities, and using a universally accepted format for data collection like Extensible markup language (XML) maintains consistency.

The steps involved in Data integration are - 

1. Consolidating the data collected from multiple sources into a single persistent data set.

2. Federation of that data so that one can have a single virtual view of data received from multiple sources. 

3. And, Data propagation copies data from one source to another. 

At a pace at which the capabilities of smart devices is growing, experts say it won’t be long before we carry “supercomputers” in our pockets with unparalleled processing power and secure storage capacity. It is expected that in the coming years, more than a trillion sensors will be connected to the internet. It means the world will see a transformation in business operations, how schools operate, homes will be automated with smart appliances, the healthcare and industrial sector will revolutionize. 

With the world growing so fast, there is a need to keep up with the momentum. There is a need for businesses to make the most of the technology trends. And, the expertise that comes with software outsourcing companies can benefit businesses. That being said, I would like to introduce you to Logic Simplified, a promising IoT app development company based out of Dehradun. Logic Simplified offers IoT software app development services that help businesses leverage innovative technologies to gain a competitive advantage, enhance customer engagement, and improve revenues. Let’s hear it from one of their client’s himself. 

“Great team of expert programmers to work with - Results oriented!

I have worked with Logic Simplified on multiple projects over the last several years. In each case, they have worked hard to accomplish the exact results I asked them for. From commercial apps to augmented reality apps, from Websites to virtual reality and even IoT cloud based projects - Logic Simplified has provided the expertise to accomplish our requirements from concept to prototype to finished products ready to launch. In each case, their work has reflected positively on us for our global customer base. I would not hesitate to recommend Logic Simplified for your coding projects.”