What is IoT as a service?

Internet of Things refers to a web of internet-connected, interrelated objects where information can be exchanged, and is possible to collect and transfer data over a wireless network without human intervention. IoT can be categorized as the path of communication between the virtual and real world.

IoT Devices:

It comprises wireless sensors, software, actuators, electronic gadgets, computers, cameras, all the objects that are operative through the internet which makes the receiving and sending of data automate without any human interference.

The most common use of IoT in our day-to-day life is through smartwatches, Fitbit, or wearable heart monitors that show us our heartbeat, blood pressure and the distance walked. Other instances could be phones and laptop which have access to the internet also Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Siri are counted a part of the IoT technology.

Significance of IoT in India:

“Digital India”, “Make in India” and “Smart India-Smart cities” are the frontline focuses of the country and IoT plays a noteworthy part in it.

India is expected to have 5 Billion connected devices by the year 2022.

The investments could go up to 15 Billion USD for both technology products and service components by 2021 as of a report from Zinnov.

The future potential of IoT in the market is limitless. An increase in network agility will accelerate its growth throughout the world in minimum time as it is said that the market revenue for IoT would reach 1.6 Trillion by 2025. As a developing country, the IoT industry could be a way to boost the economy of the country through different means, the scope for an increase in employment according to Naukri./com is as high as 117,114 job openings, and the average salary could be 850k per year for the beginning.

Fields in which there is growth for IoT in India:

• Healthcare

IoT makes it possible for people to have access to basic healthcare from anywhere through technology devised for tracking health issues. Medical diagnostic takes up a large part of hospital bills, whereas with real-time monitoring through a wearable which is connected with a smartphone that sends reports to a physician of the health data IoT collects, for example, blood pressure, oxygen level, and blood sugar levels, weight, and ECGs.

Various benefits of IoT for healthcare:

• Alerting the patients and doctors for tracking the condition in case of emergency.

• Contacting doctors who are kilometers away through apps for medical assistance.

• Reduces the strain of manually collecting the status of patient’s which helps in the process of research and be used in statistical studies.

• Agriculture

IoT-based smart farming is a system that is built to monitor the agricultural lands through sensors that act as an indicator for temperature, humidity, soil fertility, moisture, light, etc. which accelerates and automates the irrigation practices. Drones, remote sensors, computers while combined together helps with the planning and mapping of the whole agricultural process.

Smart agriculture is fairly a new concept for the farmers but with the growth of IoT in the agriculture sector which is consequently going to be beneficial for agriculture shortly, it is inevitable to not accept it wholly.

Farmers are adopting Precision agriculture as it is one of the most notable applications of IoT in agriculture. Observing the field, livestock monitoring, checking with the water and nutrient level, inventory monitoring, and moisture level are easily analyzed that helps the farmers to work accordingly. It also lets them know about the right moment to work on the lands which could give a more productive result as the soil condition can be analyzed.

• Telecom

The conversion of 2G to 4G has pitched a concrete ground for the growth and adaptation of newly developed technologies like IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which in turn provides customizable telecom services for people. Telecoms are using IoT platforms to enable smart infrastructure for further growth in making smart homes, smart retail, smart manufacturing, smart city, and more.

5G and Narrowband IoT(NB IoT) are the recent focuses in the country for hi-tech modernization of transport, infrastructures, technologies which require ultra-high-speed internet and reliability.

Skylotech India has partnered with BSNL recently for launching a satellite-based NB IoT network in India which will give coverage to Pan-India including Indian seas.

• Retail and E-commerce

The reason for the transformation from brick and mortar stores to digitalized platforms is due to the intelligent technologies and increase in demand for more convenient and faster shopping.

IoT in retail works as a means to lessen the burden of retailers and customers through connected devices that digitize the stores to be more efficient. This gives an advantage to the retailers for tracking their inventory which is helpful in case of checking the stocks, in transportation for GPS tracking the goods from suppliers to warehouses and then to the consumers.

Easier on part of managing the logistics and supply chain that plans, implements, and controls the efficiency.

The most thriving example of IoT retail shop is Amazon Go, customers can pick their item and put it in their basket and then walk out of the store without the need to checkout by standing in a long queue. The tags on the products are read automatically through peripheral technology and it is paid from the customer’s Amazon account.

Watasale is inspired by Amazon Go which is situated in Kerala, India. Customers can go and pick up the items they want and the money is automatically deducted from their e-wallet. They just have to scan the QR code at the entrance of the shop and have the Watasale app downloaded on their phone.

Startup companies for the IoT industry in India

The growth of IoT is one of the most anticipated topics in the business world. India is likely to be very benefited from this as the use of internet and technical devices are expanding day by day. As it is a concrete way of improving the economy, living, and employment of the country many startups are making their way, for example,

• IOTTIVE OPC PVT LTD

Iottive main focus is to provide mobile application development services and embedded services. Their main skills lie in building iOS and Android applications, Bluetooth applications, IoT applications, hardware and firmware applications.

• Numocity

Numocity technologies is a new age digital company that offers a comprehensive end-to-end digital technology platform for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging and battery swapping.

• Play Solar

This is a company based in Bangalore that focuses on utilising solar energy for the occupation which is the backbone of our country, agriculture. JalSol is one such example that can turn on/off water pumps through SMS or its app.

Conclusion

Internet of Things (IoT) sends a vision in which the real and the virtual world are well connected and work side by side. The IoT market is seeking an uphill in the current technology industry which is why it is estimated that there would be 21.5 Billion device units by the year 2025 globally. It focuses on providing a new dynamic to improve the quality of living.