The Internet of Things (IoT) is a very vague concept, so much so that it’s not uncommon to hear even the most technically savvy person ask: “What is the IoT?”
The ironic thing is that this question is likely a testament to good IoT designs, where the interface is so intuitive users don’t even think of the product as a connected device on the IoT. It just works.
In general, the IoT is a collection of sensors and products connected to the web. These internet connections can then be used to gather information, understand product use, control others things on the internet or manufacturers optimize their processes. So everything from your iPhone, to your Fitbit, to a factory production line can be an IoT device.
The IoT is also a growing market that is spanning a nameless number of industries, including consumer goods, industrial equipment, communication devices, data analytics and autonomous equipment. In fact, the industry is growing so much that Gartner reports that by the year 2020 over 30 billion connected devices, or things, might be online.
In the infographic below, you will learn more about what the IoT is and see the major industry battlegrounds to help find a design path through the woods.
To learn more about IoT platforms that add connections, controls and analytics to your devices, read Comparing Platforms to Add Internet of Things Capabilities to Products.