In-Depth Guide IoT Devices in 2024: Pros, Cons & Examples

All devices in the internet of things (IoT) ecosystem are capable of connecting with each other. Common ones today are laptops, smartwatches, and phones. But the technology is evolving toward allowing all “things” to be smart. So the label “smart” will no longer be reserved for a handful of devices. By inserting a transmittable chip, even a wooden chair can be transformed into a “smart” chair.

The concept of Internet of Things devices encompasses all physical devices, equipped with sensors, that monitor their environment, collect data, and send them to a server. In this article, we explore the requirements for a “smart” device, the advantages and disadvantages of IoT devices, the IoT communication protocols, and look at some IoT devices examples.

What are IoT devices?

There are two necessary conditions for a device to be recognized as an IoT device:

1. The device must have the capability to connect to the Internet,
2. And the device must be equipped with a technology – sensors, trackers, chips, or software – allowing it to connect to other devices possessing the same technology.  

By the coming together of these two necessary conditions, an IoT device is created.

For example, traditional wristwatches only tell the time, day, and date, depending on their complications. Today, an Apple Watch has become a full-fledged IoT device through embedded sensors that can monitor the body’s vital signs and send them to a database.

How are IoT devices connected?

Common examples of communication protocols connecting Internet of Things Devices include low-range wireless, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE, ZigBee, and other wireless protocols.

What are the advantages of internet of things devices?

1. M2M interaction: IoT encourages machine-to-machine (M2M) interaction to enable data collection and exchange.
2. Real-time data collection: IoT devices are integrated with environmental sensors, allowing for a cosntant and automated data intake.
   • Users will be able to make data-driven decisions about any project the IoT devices are incorporated into by making use of the collected data with IoT analytics.

What are the disadvantages of internet of things devices?

1. Compatibility: Compatibility between various, independently-made devices might be an issue.
2. Data security: IoT devices are connected to shared networks, making them prone to cyber-attacks and data breaches.
3. Privacy limitations: IoT devices constantly collect data about individual users and the surrounding environment and many users believe that this invades their privacy.

What are examples of IoT devices?

• Smart home devices: Smart home devices have voice recognition sensors that process human voice. Moreover, they are connected to the internet, thus capable of carrying out varying tasks such as, playing music or answering trivia questions. They can also be connected to other smart devices around one’s home, enabling them to control these devices, such as turn on the TV or the lighting.
• Smartwatches and wearables: Smartwatches are a different type of IoT device which have risen in popularity in the last decade. They have movement and heat-sensitive sensors that monitor body’s vital signs and transmit them to a database, thus have the ability to predict a heart attack and notify the user to take measures.
  • In sports, athletes wear smart vests underneath their shirts. Fitted with GPS trackers and connected to the club’s analytical database, they allow for the team’s analytical staff to track a player’s movements on the pitch, their distance covered, speed, etc.
• Smart cities’ solutions:
  • In Copenhagen, garbage cans were embedded with sensors that tracked a bin’s level of waste. This allowed the garbage collectors to only take the trouble of going to these bins only after the capacity threshold had been crossed. This saved time, fuel, and energy by preventing useless trips and re-routes.
  • In Denver, acoustic sensors strategically scattered around town can detect gunshot sounds and relay them onto the local emergency authorities.
  • In Israel, water pipes are integrated with camera sensors that can calculate and signal water pressure, usage, and/or leaks. This helps Tel-Aviv municipality to efficiently and less expensively calculate water usages of the residents, as well as address leakages and/or outages more in a timely manner.
  • There are solar panels that can detect sunshine to autonomously turn on, intake sunshine, and use it to generate sustainable electricity.
  • Google Maps can accurately calculate ETA, show traffic jams, and signal the level of “busyness” at a certain location through the congestion of people through the smartphones in their pockets.

For more on the internet of things

To learn more on the internet of things, read:

• Ultimate Guide to IoT Security in 2022: Challenges & Tools to Tackle them
• IoT Cybersecurity [2022]: Vulnerabilities & Countermeasures
• IoT Cloud: Accessible and Scalable

Finally, If you believe your business will benefit from an IoT solution or device, feel free to check our data-driven hub of IoT solutions and tools.

And we can guide you through the process: