History of Internet of Things
The History of Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) has been around for several decades, and its history can be traced back to the early 1980s. At that time, a group of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed the first internet-connected vending machine. This was a significant milestone in the development of IoT because it allowed for remote monitoring and control of a physical object over the internet.
In the 1990s, the term “Internet of Things” was coined by Kevin Ashton, a British technology pioneer. He used this term to describe the concept of connecting everyday objects to the internet to enable them to communicate with each other and with people.
During the early 2000s, IoT began to gain traction as wireless communication technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi became more widespread. This led to the development of smart homes and connected devices like thermostats, security systems, and appliances.
In 2008, the first IoT platform was launched by the company Axeda. This platform allowed businesses to connect their machines and devices to the internet, enabling them to collect data and perform remote diagnostics.
The introduction of cloud computing also played a big role in the growth of IoT. Cloud computing made it possible for businesses to store and manage large amounts of data from their connected devices in a secure and efficient way.
By 2010, IoT had become a major buzzword in the tech industry. Companies like Google, IBM, and Cisco began investing heavily in IoT technologies, and startups focused on IoT began popping up all over the world.
In 2014, Google acquired Nest Labs for $3.2 billion. Nest Labs was a startup that had developed a smart thermostat that could learn a user’s preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly. This acquisition was a major milestone in the development of IoT because it demonstrated the potential for connected devices to disrupt traditional industries.
Today, IoT is a rapidly growing industry that is expected to have a significant impact on many different sectors of the economy. According to a report by Gartner, there will be more than 20 billion connected devices in use by 2020.
IoT is already being used in a variety of industries, including healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. In healthcare, IoT devices are being used to monitor patients remotely and collect data on their health. In agriculture, IoT is being used to monitor crops and livestock and optimize farming practices. And in manufacturing, IoT is being used to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.
Despite its many benefits, IoT also poses significant challenges. One of the biggest challenges is security. Because connected devices are often designed with convenience in mind rather than security, they can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
To address these challenges, companies are investing in new technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence to improve the security and reliability of IoT devices. As these technologies continue to evolve, it’s likely that IoT will become even more widespread and transformative.