Internet of Things Training -- Fundamentals

Visionary technologist Kevin Ashton coined the term Internet of Things (IoT) in 1999, but its true origins may have started in a 1926 Colliers Magazine when futurist Nikola Tesla said:

“When wireless is perfectly applied the whole earth will be converted into a huge brain, which in fact it is, all things being particles of a real and rhythmic whole.”

While his vision of the future was profound, it’s doubtful that even Tesla could have envisioned a day when doorbells transmit video calls, contact lenses with inbuilt sensors provide medical information through tear analysis, or garage door openers adjust thermostats and turn on coffee makers.

That day is today. Future IoT breakthroughs will be even more amazing, including:

·        Gesture control armbands that sense muscle activities so you can control any device connected to the IoT infrastructure just with your motion or gestures. 

·        Sensor embedded lights that detect the presence of people and turn off the lights in their absence. 

·        Sensor embedded sports jerseys that allow fans to not only follow their players but also feel the same emotions.

·        Smart refrigerators that analyze the food inside it then builds you a shopping list based on your previous food-buying habits.

All this is possible thanks to recent advances in smart sensor technology. A smart sensor is a device that takes input from the physical environment and uses built-in computing resources to perform functions when they detect specific input and then processes data before passing it on.

That data can be gathered so that the smart sensors enable communication via the web. Smart sensors are what allow IoT things to “talk” between the web and to your devices.

Perhaps most amazingly, these sensors can be placed or installed in just about anything from shoes and clothing to refrigerators or cars.

Of course, with technological advancements such as the IoT, also come challenges and opportunities. In order for the entire planet (and someday Mars?) to be connected to things, new infrastructure is needed. NB-IOT and LTE-M low power wide area networks (LPWANs) have been developed to accommodate the IoT revolution for now, but it’s unclear how suitable these technologies will be in the future.

What is clear: The Internet of Things touches all our lives and will continue to do so in a way that will make today seem a century ago tomorrow.

For engineers, students, entrepreneurs – and just about everyone – having at least a basic understanding of the Internet of Things is essential. That’s why Tonex offers a fundamental 2-day course, The Internet of Things Training | IoT Training.

For more information, questions, comments, contact us.