Internet of Things - what is it?

The term "Internet of Things" describes the networking of objects using artificial intelligence (AI). The term goes back to Kevin Ashton, who first used the term "Internet of Things" in 1999.

The philosophy of the Internet of Things

• The idea behind the term "Internet of Things" is to equip objects with small computers and thus give them artificial intelligence.
• This is intended to largely replace the personal computer. Instead of actively using computers, people should be supported by computers without doing anything.
• This should save costs and effort and improve accuracy.
• Objects and devices should not only be provided with identities in the form of codes, but should also be able to recognize states and perform actions. According to the visionaries from the Auto-ID Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which also includes Kevin Ashton, as many objects as possible should be equipped with artificial intelligence.

Examples from the "Internet of Things"

• Parcel tracking: The best-known example from the Internet of Things is parcel or shipment tracking. A package that is sent with DHL, for example, can be tracked online with a tracking number. However, people still have to intervene actively here.
• The intelligent fridge: A fridge that detects when there is no more milk and then orders it automatically or writes it on the digital shopping list on the smartphone - this is one of the new possibilities in the Internet of Things.
• Product information: Apps for smartphones can be used to scan products such as meat and display information about the manufacturing process, nutritional values ​​and price.
• Household items: There are hardly any limits to household use - a heater that detects when you get home, a washing machine that does the washing when the electricity is cheap, printers that recognize when the cartridges are empty and automatically orders new ones. ..

Read more about the Internet of Things in the CHIP News.