What is IoT?

What is IoT? 

A simple and easy-to-understand explanation of the meaning and mechanism with practical examples!

IoT is the Internet of Things. It is an advanced technology that has been rapidly put into practical use in recent years, such as smart speakers, smart homes, and self-driving cars. It is one of the important factors alongside AI and big data in promoting Digital transformation, which is currently attracting attention.

However, I don't think there are surprisingly few people who can understand the meaning and mechanism correctly even if they know the word “IoT”. Therefore, in this article, I will briefly explain "What is IoT?" along with practical examples.

      Table of Contents

・ What is IoT? Review the meaning of words

　・ Meaning of IoT

　・ IoT mechanism

・ Four functions that can be realized by utilizing IoT

　・ IoT functions ① Operate things

　・ IoT functions ② Know the state of things

　・ IoT function ③ Detect the movement of objects

　・ IoT functions ④ Communicate with each other

・ Introduction of IoT utilization cases by field

　・ IoT in healthcare

　・ IoT in logistics

　・ IoT in manufacturing industry

　・ IoT in agriculture

　・ IoT in transportation

・ Two communication technologies that will support the future of IoT

　・ Communication technology ① 5G

　・ Communication technology ② LPWA

・ Relationship between IoT and AI

・ Three advantages of IoT

・ Four issues facing IoT

・ Monster Lab's IoT development example

・ Summary: A world enriched by the introduction of IoT

★ What is IoT?

・ IOT stands for "Internet of Things"

・ A technology that enables objects to be measured and controlled from a distant place, and enables communication between objects by connecting "things" to the Internet

・ It is possible to add value from different perspectives to existing products.

-Approximately 45 billion IoT devices will be connected to the Internet in the 2020s

Review the meaning of words

IoT is an abbreviation for "Internet of Things"

Until about 20 years ago, the Internet was connected from a personal computer at home or at work, but with the rapid development of digital technology and communication technology, it is possible to connect to the Internet from mobile terminals such as mobile phones (smartphones) and tablets.

Now that the digitalization of society has progressed, the technology of connecting “things” such as home appliances and automobiles to the Internet, or IoT, is attracting attention.

Before the spread of the word IoT, there was a method called " M2M (Machine to Machine) " for connecting things together. 

To briefly explain the difference between the two, M2M does not connect to the Internet, only the machines exchange information with each other via sensor networks. On the other hand, in the IoT, things have communication functions, so information can be sent and received via the Internet.

The use of IoT will enable us to measure and control objects from remote locations and communicate with each other, so it is expected to be used in various fields and areas.

Mechanism of IoT

Currently, IoT technology is beginning to be used in various things such as various home appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators, automobiles / buses, and factory equipment.

The objects that are subject to the IoT are equipped with sensors, cameras, and wireless communications , and detect the condition and movement of objects and acquire data . The basic mechanism of IoT is to transmit the acquired information to people and things via the Internet . 

4 functions that can be realized by utilizing IoT

Functions that can be realized by utilizing the IoT can be roughly divided into four categories: 

1.      manipulate things

2.      know the state of things

3.      detect the movement of things

4.      and "communicate between things

★ 4 functions of IoT

① Operate things (ex. Turn on air conditioner at home from outside)

② Know the state of things (ex. Know the battery level of electronic devices from a remote location)

③ Detect the movement of objects (ex. Grasp the real-time bus operation status)

④ Communicate with each other (ex. Light up the lights when people enter the room)

What all of them have in common is the remote monitoring, operation, and control of objects in remote locations . In some cases, not only one function but also multiple functions are used simultaneously.

Let's take a closer look at each function.

IoT functions ① Operate things

"Remote control of things" is synonymous with IoT

A typical example of IoT utilization is the ability to remotely control objects in remote locations .

For example, you can operate home appliances such as air conditioners and lights, and open and close doors and shutters from your home through devices such as smartphones. In addition, the IoT-based pet food server can check the state of a pet with a smartphone from a remote location and automatically feed an appropriate amount of food.

The point is that you can adjust not only simple operations such as turning the power on and off, but also detailed settings such as the temperature and air volume of the air conditioner. The "manipulate things" function is often used to make life easier .

◆ Example of using the “manipulate things” function

・ Turn on the air conditioner at home to adjust the room temperature while returning home.

・ You can feed your pet dog who is away from home from the food server and check the safety.

IoT functions ② Know the state of things

Awareness can be gained by "knowing the state of things" in remote areas

The ability to know the condition of objects and people in remote places is also one of the essential elements when talking about IoT.

For example, you can check the lighting status on the go, so you can avoid forgetting to turn it off and reduce power costs. In addition, the temperature of the air conditioner can be managed from a remote location to keep the indoor environment in an optimal state, and the pet's collar can be remoted to obtain data on the amount of exercise and food by using IoT to acquire data on the amount of exercise and food. You can check it from the ground. This will help you to notice major changes in your physical condition quickly, and will allow you to consult a veterinarian promptly, which will help prevent major diseases.

The point is that by acquiring information from sensors mounted on things and sending and receiving data via the Internet, it is possible to grasp the state of things and people and "know" . The "knowing the state of things" function is often used to obtain important information that leads to actions in real time .

In addition, since it becomes possible to directly obtain user information such as frequency of use and time of use, it will also create great value in the business domain . You can understand user needs without conducting marketing research or surveys, so data is directly linked to product improvement and development.

◆ Example of using the "know the state of things" function

・ When the battery level or usage of electronic devices exceeds a certain standard, an alert is generated.

・ Issuing an alert because abnormalities have been confirmed in the patient's heartbeat, breathing, pulse, and blood pressure values

・ Manufacturers can utilize the accumulated data in the marketing domain

IoT functions ③ Detect the movement of objects

A function to prevent missing important changes by "detecting the movement of things"

The IoT also has a function that allows you to know the current situation from the movement of objects and people .

Combining IoT with sensing technology that detects the movement of objects and people is expected to dramatically improve automated driving technology, and is expected to reduce occupational accidents at construction sites.

In the field of agriculture, the IoT is used to detect movements that affect the cultivation environment such as temperature, humidity, and water level, and automatically adjust to the optimal environment.In public transportation, the operating status and congestion status of buses and trains can be monitored. Passengers waiting at the bus stop can be grasped in real time.

Since it is possible to know in real time the status of the surrounding environment of objects, trends in measured values, human movements and lifestyles, it is possible to grasp abnormalities instantaneously and take appropriate and prompt responses. The point is to be able to guess the current situation and take quick action without overlooking important changes in the movement of objects and people .

◆ Example of using the "Detect motion of objects" function

・ Understand train and bus operation status and congestion status

・ Heavy machinery and construction machinery detected people at the construction site, so they automatically stopped.

IoT functions ④ Communicate with each other

By "communication between things", a function to adjust things without interfering with human judgment

The fourth function is to automatically operate multiple electronic devices by sending and receiving data between things connected to the Internet .

It is a function that combines the three features introduced so far, and is a typical example of smart homes and smart buildings . By linking with an AI speaker, you can pour hot water into the bath, turn on the air conditioner and lighting, and open and close the curtains by just giving verbal instructions. It is also expected to be used in offices to control wasteful energy consumption through automatic control and to manage entrances and exits.

Self- driving cars are attracting particular attention due to the use of the function of communicating with each other . Efforts are underway to reduce traffic congestion by automatically reducing the speed when a car receives data from a traffic signal and adjusting the waiting time by detecting the congestion level of the road in real time on the signal side. It is being done.

Technology for connecting multiple functions like this is expected to make dramatic progress with the commercialization of the next-generation communication technology "5G,".It is a technology that has been increasing expectations, especially from the viewpoint of "automation", because objects communicate with each other without making human judgments and automatically judge and operate .

◆ Examples of using the “communicate among things” function

・ When the signal from the traffic light determines that the signal in front of you is red, the car stops automatically

・ Optimize things by linking things such as smart homes and smart buildings

Introducing IoT utilization cases by field

Presently, "How IoT is being used" is introduced by field.

So far, I have explained the functions that can be realized with IoT, but how are they actually used in society? We will explain examples of IoT utilization in each field.

IoT case studies

	Application examples of IoT by field
Medical	By sharing the biometric data in real time with the doctor, it is possible to monitor the health condition of the patient from a remote location. It also contributes to home medical support and the elimination of doctor shortages.
logistics	Improve the efficiency of warehouse operations such as picking work using an automatic transfer robot. There is a logistics revolution (Logistic 4.0) represented by traceability using RFID and delivery using drones and unmanned vehicles.
Manufacturing industry	Optimizing cost effectiveness by making the production line IoT. Prevents damage from failures by making it possible to visualize the status of equipment.
Agriculture	Sensors detect the amount of solar radiation and the condition of the soil to determine the optimum timing and amount of watering and fertilizer. It is possible to control the temperature and air conditioning inside the house even from a remote location.
traffic	You can see the congestion situation of the expressway and the delay situation of the train in real time, so you can select the optimal route and move.

IoT in healthcare

Currently, the use of  wearable devices is drawing attention in the IoT in the medical field .

By wearing a wearable device, the patient's biometric data (pulse, heartbeat, blood pressure, etc.) can be measured and converted into data. By sharing that data with the doctor in real time, it becomes possible to monitor the patient's condition while in a remote location, and when an abnormality is detected, it is possible to quickly diagnose and treat it . It is useful not only for risk management after illness and daily health management, but also for home medical care and for the shortage of local doctors .

Further development is expected from the viewpoint of improving the working environment for doctors, which has become a problem in recent years .

The following is an example of combining the concept of telemedicine with things.

Examples of IoT utilization in the medical field

A medical bed equipped with an ICT device links the various devices that measure the patient's condition (various information such as sleep / wake / breathing rate / heart rate) with the medical information system to monitor the patient's condition in real time. I can figure it out. The reminder function that can be confirmed on a mobile terminal is also linked to data sharing among related parties, nursing work without missing and leaks, and early detection and prevention of future diseases.

Since the utilization of IoT in the medical field has great potential compared to other industries , it is sometimes called IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) and sometimes distinguished.

IoT in logistics:

In the logistics industry, digital transformation (DX) using the latest technologies such as IoT is called “Logistics 4.0” .

Currently, due to the expansion of the EC site market represented by Amazon's breakthrough, the logistics industry is under pressure to deliver a wide variety of products in small quantities at high frequency, and the utilization of IoT is rapidly advancing as a solution. .

The examples of IoT utilization in the logistics industry can be divided into two processes: 

warehouse work process from receipt to shipment and delivery work process .

The introduction of a system that applies robotics to sorting, shelving / inventory, and picking is a typical example of utilizing IoT in warehouse work . For example, Amazon's warehouse is equipped with a system that automatically moves shelves to the position of the worker in charge according to orders placed over the Internet, eliminating the need for humans to roam in a large warehouse. This system allows us to efficiently handle large orders and supports Amazon's strength in delivering products quickly to customers.

On the other hand, IoT is used for TMS (Transportation and Delivery Management System) in delivery work, which is useful for visualizing the delivery site such as optimal allocation of human resources and efficiency of dispatch routes. In the future, expectations are growing for air transportation using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) typified by drones and for the early realization of autonomous trucks.

IoT in manufacturing

As attention has focused on the concept of the “Industry 4.0” (4th Industrial Revolution) national project promoted by the German government , automation using IoT is beginning to be introduced into the our manufacturing industry as well.

The characteristic of the IoT utilization example in the manufacturing industry is that it is linked with robotics, AI, and M2M . We are looking at the realization of a smart factory (thinking factory) as a destination for measuring labor saving and efficiency of production lines .

In the smart factory, all mechanical equipment and management systems in the factory are connected to the Internet and collect data. By quantifying how many workers have worked at which place, it is possible to analyze each process, and it is expected that the productivity and facility utilization rate of the factory will be improved .

In addition, the state of equipment is monitored by sensors and radar, and abnormalities are also detected from changes in vibration and temperature. Since an alert is issued before a failure, quick maintenance and repairs are possible, and damage due to equipment failure can be minimized .

Examples of IoT utilization in the manufacturing industry

In order to build a production system to meet diversifying customer needs, Hitachi has four systems: a work improvement support system, a plant simulator, an RFID production monitoring system, and a modular design system. Promote the establishment of a high-efficiency production model that circulates information on people, goods, and equipment obtained from Appropriate measures and improvements by grasping the progress status of the production plan, and a cycle to formulate a more accurate production plan have been realized. As a result, we have succeeded in shortening the production lead time of our main products by 50%, achieving a 20% reduction in the design process, a 20% reduction in procurement and a 10% reduction in manufacturing.

IoT in Agriculture

At present, attention is being focused on the next-generation agriculture “smart agriculture” , which utilizes advanced technologies such as robot technology and information and communication technology (ICT) to realize super-elimination and high-quality production. , IoT is also utilized as one of the major technologies.

For example, in the case of greenhouse cultivation, the optimum timing and amount of watering and fertilizer application can be calculated and automated based on the amount of solar radiation detected by the sensor and the condition of the soil . In addition, it is possible to control the temperature and air conditioning inside the house even from a remote location. It will be easier to maintain the ideal environment, and you will be able to achieve high productivity while reducing human effort .

The introduction of the IoT is also expected as a solution to the problem facing agriculture, which is the serious lack of successors. Traditional farming has been supported not only by the experience and intuition of farmers, but also by the daily labor force, but the introduction of IoT will bring about a major change in the working environment surrounding agriculture .

Examples of IoT utilization in agriculture

 Many companies are working on the development of self-driving and unmanned agricultural machines, including the commercialization of agricultural machines equipped with GPS on three models of tractors, rice transplanters, and combine harvesters. They also provide a system that supports efficient production by "visualizing" agricultural management in a cloud environment by fusing the above three models with ICT. They have plan to collect big data such as harvest, growth, and weather information in cooperation with compatible agricultural machines from terminals such as PCs and smartphones, and use it for variable fertilization and drug application, growth prediction, pest prediction, etc.

IoT in transportation

The introduction of IoT has brought about major changes in the public transportation system such as buses and trains, and also in the taxi industry.

For example, if you read the QR code at the bus stop, you can grasp the bus operation status in real time, or you can easily call a taxi to your location using the taxi dispatch app. In addition, traffic congestion on the expressway and train delays can be seen in real time, enabling users to select the optimal route and move .

Examples of IoT utilization in transportation

Hitachi, Ltd. provides a "traffic data utilization service" that analyzes and visualizes traffic demand and transportation demand from traffic-related data owned by road and transportation companies. We are supporting traffic improvement and efficiency improvement of road and transportation operators as well as improvement of services for users and passengers by taking measures against traffic congestion and optimizing operation plans.

Two communication technologies that will support the future of IoT

Introducing two communication technologies that are heavily involved in IoT

In order to meet the future increase in communication volume and diversifying communication needs, the next generation communication technology called "5G" and "LPWA" is currently drawing attention .

Communication technology ① 5G

5G is a communication technology that realizes "high speed, large capacity", "multiple simultaneous connections", and "low latency" .

In the future, as the IoT advances further, it will be necessary to process huge amounts of communication data. With the existing communication methods such as 4G and LTE (Long-Term Evolution), it is not possible to connect all things to the Internet at the same time and perform smooth data processing without delay. It is said that the start of 5G will support the spread of IoT, and the utilization of huge amounts of data will dramatically change the way many industries and occupations work.

★ 3 features of 5G

①High speed and large capacity

・ Maximum communication speed is 20Gbps.

・ It is about 20 times faster than the current 4G and can download a 2-hour movie in 15 seconds.

② Multiple simultaneous connections

-The number of connected devices is 1 million / km.

・ About 10,000 terminals, which is about 10 times that of 4G, can be simultaneously connected to the Internet.

③ Low delay

-The delay is about 1/10 of LTE (Long-Term Evolution), which is about 1 millisecond.

-You can operate and control objects in remote areas in real time without worrying about time lag.

Communication technology ② LPWA

LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) is a communication technology characterized by "power saving", "wide range" and "low cost" . Although the communication speed is low, it is expected as a communication technology that is compatible with IoT.

★ Three characteristics of LPWA

① Power saving

-It is a general battery and has enough power saving to operate for several to several decades.

② Wide area

-It has a wide area that allows communication of several kilometers to several tens of kilometers.

③Low cost

-The connection cost is low and it can be operated at a low price.

5G is a new communication standard that replaces 4G. After the introduction of 5G, it is expected that the technology utilizing IoT will spread rapidly.

Understanding and using communication standards and technologies such as 5G and LPWA, which support IoT technology, will lead to the provision of new services and product value.

Relationship between IoT and AI

Expectations are rising for the synergistic effects created by AI and IoT

The existence of AI (artificial intelligence) is indispensable when talking about the IoT. Both are expected to play an important role in the realization of digital transformation (DX), but there is a close relationship between the two.

It is thought that the time will come when all things will be connected to the Internet as the commercialization of 5G begins and the rapid shift toward IoT in society. The wave of IoT has reached fields where data has not been collected so far. In other words, as IoT progresses, big data of a scale that cannot be compared with conventional ones will be collected .

Big data collected by IoT devices is analyzed by AI (artificial intelligence), and a new AI model based on that data is born . If a new AI model is installed in an IoT device, it will have more functionality than before and will continue to collect data.
In this way, IoT and AI are expected to create synergistic effects while building close relationships.

★ Synergistic effects created by IoT and AI

(1) Various IoT devices will spread due to the acceleration of IoT and information will be collected.

② AI analyzes big data collected by IoT devices, and a new AI model is born based on the results.

③ Continue to collect information as IoT devices equipped with new AI models become widespread

Three benefits of IoT

Introducing the three benefits that IoT brings to society

The IoT has many benefits. Let's look at the merits when using IoT devices individually, when introducing IoT at companies, and when companies deploy IoT services.

Benefits of IoT 

(1) Improved user convenience

If the smart home is realized by utilizing the IoT, people's lives will become more convenient, such as using digital devices such as smartphones to operate home appliances at home . In addition, the air conditioner automatically adjusts to the optimum temperature according to the temperature of the outside air, and the lighting is automatically turned off by detecting the absence of people, which not only improves convenience but also saves energy .

As the IoT wave spreads throughout society, many new automated services will be introduced one after another. 

(2) Business efficiency improvement and labor saving of companies

The greatest merit that companies can obtain by introducing IoT is the realization of operational efficiency and cost reduction . For example, if the production line of a manufacturing plant is converted to IoT, it will be possible to visualize the operating status of the line and appropriately reduce the personnel to be placed and the excess inventory.

Also, if you analyze and feed back the data obtained from the equipment, you will be able to build a more optimized production line. The key to success of IoT in business is how to utilize the acquired data . If you can extract improvement points from data and execute solutions quickly, you will be able to gain an advantage in the DX era.

③ Creation of new business

The advantage of acquiring big data from IoT devices is not limited to improving internal business efficiency. Companies will be able to catch up with various consumer needs through IoT products , and analyzing big data will be a hint for new service and product development.

By utilizing the IoT and acquiring and analyzing big data, many new businesses that are completely different from the past will be born.

★ Three advantages of IoT

・ Various devices around us will become IoT, improving user convenience

・ IoT-based production lines and equipment realize business efficiency and cost reduction for companies

・ Use of collected big data is a new business hint that accurately captures consumer needs

Four issues facing IoT

IoT is expected to make people's lives more convenient, but there are challenges in introducing it. Here, we will explain the problems of IoT.

IoT issues 

(1) Securing advanced IT human resources

In order to develop new IoT services, the presence of IT engineers with extensive expertise is essential . However, it is not easy to have specialists in each field, and the lack of IT engineers is a bottleneck in development .

Also, in order to increase the value of IoT services, analysis of big data obtained from devices is essential. However, the data scientists required for analysis are also calling for a shortage of human resources .

(2) Increase / optimize power supply

With the introduction of the IoT, it is expected that products that previously did not require electricity will also carry out regular communications. It is said that the development of IoT and AI is directly connected to the problem of power supply because more devices consume power than before. Therefore, attention has been focused on the next-generation communication technology "LPWA" that realizes the power saving and low cost mentioned above. 

③ Human error countermeasures

After the spread of IoT devices, we must be aware of human error caused by users not using IoT devices correctly .

Realization of IoT requires complicated equipment, and it is necessary for the user to make settings such as communication before use . Taking the automatic braking system of a car as an example, if a function is not turned on or you forget to set it, an accident will result.

 ④ Security measures

It is expected that IoT will spread further in the future, but as the number of IoT devices connected to the Internet increases, so does the risk of cyber attacks .

It can be said that measures against cyber attacks are the first issues that are indispensable for the spread of IoT. We urge each company to build a system based on the IoT security basic policy, and issue cautions such as vulnerability diagnosis at the individual device level.

Summary:

A world enriched by the introduction of IoT

Introduction of IoT enriches our lives

The rapid spread of the IoT (Internet of Things) has enabled us to achieve what was once said to be a dream story, and to solve problems that we have given up.

In addition, new product value has been created by IoT, and IoT devices that are familiar to people's lives are still bustling the market. There are still challenges, but there is no doubt that IoT is a technology that enriches society as a whole.

Now that attention is being focused on the promotion of digital transformation (DX), companies are required to make changes utilizing digital technologies such as IoT. First of all, please refer to the basic functions and examples of IoT as introduced in this article, and consider introducing the technology in light of your own issues.