What is the Internet of Things?
A growing trend in computing is the “Internet of Things” (abbreviated as: IoT) – devices connected to the internet (and/or to other devices) which interact with the physical world by gathering, processing, and sharing data. IoT devices are also referred to as connected devices or as smart devices.
IoT Electronics Kit
This project is tailored for an IoT electronics kit called the SparkFun Inventor's Kit for Photon. SparkFun also sells a variety of other sensors and components that can be used with the Photon kit. For example, it is highly recommended to add an ultrasonic sensor to the kit for more design possibilities.
However, you may use another IoT electronics kit of your choice for this project. If the IoT kit is programmed using Arduino or Wiring, you may be able to use (or modify) the tutorials and references in the accompanying IoT Code Guidebook (depending on the particular components and capabilities of your IoT electronics kit).
Examples of IoT Devices
Many different IoT devices are becoming developed for consumers, businesses, industry, agriculture, healthcare, and the public sector. A few examples include:
Wearable devices that monitor people’s health and fitness
Smart thermostats that keep homes comfortable while also saving energy
Connected street lights that adjust based on time of day, season, and weather conditions
Smart farming systems that monitor precise weather, soil, and crop conditions
Characteristics of IoT Devices
Similar to robotic devices, IoT devices follow a "sense-think-act" cycle to interact with the physical world. IoT devices also "communicate" through an internet or network connection.
SENSE: IoT devices typically have one or more physical inputs (such as sensors, etc.) that gather data from the physical environment.
THINK: IoT devices are programmed to analyze data from their inputs to make decisions and respond to certain conditions by acting through their outputs.
ACT: IoT devices typically have one or more physical outputs (such as motors, etc.) that can do something in the physical environment.
COMMUNICATE: IoT devices send and/or receive data by communicating with other apps, databases, or other devices through an internet or network connection (which is often a wireless signal such as cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.). This data communication can serve as a digital input ("sense") or as a digital output ("act").
What made IoT possible?
The “Internet of Things” is the result of advances in technology and manufacturing that have made it feasible to incorporate computing and networking features into almost any device:
Computing parts (such as processors, sensors, batteries, etc.) have become much smaller, more powerful, more energy-efficient, and more affordable.
Wireless networking (such as cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) has become much faster, more energy-efficient, and more widespread. While IoT devices can use a wired network connection (such as Ethernet), a wireless connection makes it much easier for devices to connect to the internet or another network.
