Audio Lecture Text

Let's consider several IoT examples. To start consider a home security system that can be monitored and controlled via the Internet.

In this case, indoor and outdoor cameras are set to detect any unexpected motion. Upon detection, the system can trigger a home alarm to sound, it could also automatically call the police, or send a notification to the homeowners cell phone. The homeowner can view and control the cameras from a distance, activate an alarm, or instruct the security system to do nothing and ignore the detection.

Another type of IoT device could be a sensor in a house's basement that sends the homeowner a message when it detects flooding.

Often times water pipes or a large water tank could be located in a specific place that is in an area that is out of sight. A water leak could potential cause extensive and costly damages. An IoT device could be used to monitor humidity in the area, sending an automatic notice to the homeowner if water is detected.

Other very common and helpful IoT devices are in the form of implanted medical devices, such as pace-makers and insulin pumps. These types of devices are normally inserted under the skin and are controlled wirelessly. Patients and doctors can regulate the devices functionality for health reasons, track the patient's vital signs such as the body temperature, blood pressure, pulse or heart rate, and breathing rate, and even use the devices to send a phone notification or call for help if a vital sign triggers an alarm.

Another IoT example can be the many wearable devices, or IoT devices that a person can wear on the body or clothes. This includes devices such as the FitBit that can count the number of steps a person takes or monitor the persons heart rate.

IoT devices can also be used to track the location of a person or a dog. An IoT device with a geolocation sensor can be placed in the dogs collar as a way of tracking the animals location.

Some IoT devices are already being used by the utility companies. For example, a smart electrical metering systems is used to automatically transmit a households electrical usage information to the utility company.

Or home thermostats that can be controlled by using mobile device such as a smartphone app, which can also collect historical data such as hourly room temperatures and display electrical usage.

And finally, smart cities can use Iot devices to remotely monitor and track in real-time local bus service by observing fuel consumption, bus location, and even bus speeds throughout the day.

The point being is that there are countless ways that IoT devices are already being used in many transparent ways, and this will only increase as the technology improves.