The Internet of Things (IoT) is a technology that connects various objects via networks to share information and establish automated systems, significantly enhancing convenience and efficiency in homes and industries.
You’ve probably seen descriptions in school textbooks from your childhood about how a light left on by someone rushing out of class could detect the absence of people and turn itself off, or how an air conditioner could turn on 30 minutes before its owner arrives on a sweltering summer day. The science and technology making this possible is the Internet of Things (IoT). The internet, as a medium connecting the entire world, has had an enormous impact on the development of modern society. However, until now, its use has been largely limited to computers and smart devices. The Internet of Things aims to innovatively expand the scope of internet usage to integrate it into daily life. In other words, the Internet of Things is a system that connects various types of objects via a network to share information. From home appliances to large-scale machinery systems, it enables them to exchange information with each other, establishing a swift and convenient automated system.
The Internet of Things is not entirely a new technology. It has been used in various industrial sectors for some time. An example is in factory production systems: when assembly parts are running low or inventory is excessively high, information sharing between production machines automatically adjusts production speed or volume. As the scope of application for these information-sharing systems broadened, the term “Internet of Things” emerged and became widely recognized.
What is needed to bring the IoT into our lives? The most fundamental requirement is for each object to have its own IP address, just as individual computers currently use IP addresses to identify location or identity. While barcodes on items sold in stores or information on various cards can be considered unique identifiers for objects, their usable range is limited or their application scope is narrow. Therefore, to enable communication between objects within a broader environment, the IP addresses mentioned earlier are essential. However, the number of objects existing in real life is countless, making the addresses available under the current IPv4 system insufficient. This means a system like IPv6, capable of assigning a much larger number of IP addresses, must be used.
Simply assigning unique IP addresses to each object does not mean the Internet of Things (IoT) can be commercialized. A system is needed where objects perceive their surroundings with senses more precise than humans, share this information, and even react automatically. This means a system is needed where air conditioners operate and windows open without human intervention, based on more accurate temperature measurements and more precise detection of air movement.
Examples of IoT are very simple. The significance of IoT lies not in one-dimensional relationships between objects, but in pursuing the convenience gained when multiple objects simultaneously share information. An alarm simply sounding because the owner has slept for a certain number of hours is a one-dimensional relationship. A better example of IoT in action would be receiving information that the owner’s flight for a business trip is delayed by 30 minutes, creating an environment allowing for 30 more minutes of restful sleep, and delaying the alarm by 30 minutes.
This IoT system has a surprisingly simple structure. It consists of an actuator, a sensor, and a controller. The controller uses the internet to share and analyze information. The sensor detects changes in the surrounding environment. The actuator triggers the product’s response based on information received from the sensor and controller. Let’s illustrate this using the earlier scenario. The controller receives information about the flight delay via the internet. The sensor detects the owner’s state to provide an environment conducive to restful sleep. Finally, the actuator maintains dim lighting for sleep or delays the alarm by 30 minutes. This technology, which pursues convenience using these three components, can be called the Internet of Things.
The importance and economic viability of IoT are evident in how most IT companies, such as Apple, Google, and Samsung, are focusing on this technology. LG has already begun offering basic IoT services, like door-opening detection alarms and remote gas control, at reasonable prices. Microsoft is also reportedly investing heavily in IoT services that connect all its products to share information. Current data service speeds are fast enough to eliminate inconvenience, and the display quality of smart devices has arguably reached the highest level perceivable by the human eye. Amid this technological saturation, the IoT’s vast applicability across fields like healthcare, fashion, fitness, and energy positions it to become a new breakthrough in the technology market.
In recent years, diverse research and development efforts have been underway to realize the IoT’s potential. For instance, in smart cities, IoT technology is being utilized to enhance traffic management, energy efficiency, and public safety. In smart homes, it enables real-time monitoring and control of appliances, improving quality of life and saving energy. In the industrial sector, IoT also plays a crucial role in maximizing productivity and reducing operational costs. Thus, IoT is driving innovation across our lives and industries, and its importance is expected to grow even further.
The development of IoT goes beyond mere technological innovation, fundamentally transforming our way of life. These changes will not only provide a better quality of life but also drive new business opportunities and economic growth. Therefore, it is crucial to continuously support the advancement of IoT technology and discover innovative ideas that leverage it. Through this, we can build a smarter and more efficient future.
