For many countries like India, adopting the Internet of Things (IoT) will require customized features to make it fully accessible and affordable. For example, recent research suggests that innovations in low-power wide area networks (LPWAN) — such as Long Range or LoRa — can provide low-cost, large-scale connectivity for IoT devices distributed across wide geographic areas.
Sigfox, which offers a dedicated low-bandwidth network in 65 countries, and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), a low-power, wide-area network radio technology developed by 3GPP, are gaining traction in the industry for similar reasons. The goal is to optimize and strengthen networks at a reasonable cost for cities, agriculture and smart devices.
Although it may take some time before networks can fully perform all required or expected functions at an economical price, advances are quickly sparking interest.
Here are some:
- System-on-chip (SoC), which combines electronic circuits from multiple computer components into a single integrated chip device, is gaining attention in the industry.
- Non-segregated wireless circuits are now capable of facilitating self-powered sensor nodes, which are simple to deploy without the need for power or signal cabling.
Similar to most other revolutionary concepts, the increased use of IoT depends on several factors, including a fair, secure and consistent approach on the part of technology vendors and network providers.
According to the above-mentioned research, despite technological advancements, some challenges may affect the growth of the IoT sector in India. Concerns include a lack of consistent standards, insufficient security and protection for user data, cost and technology constraints that affect functionality, and a disconnected IoT supply chain. It is also important to consider reliable information services, the availability of usable products, data tampering characteristics and the high cost of connectivity in the country.
However, IoT advancements are increasing rapidly, especially in wearable devices and appliances.
What's new in wearables
A new collection of sensors based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology is under development to facilitate IoT applications for motion detection and imaging. It aims to accommodate users interested in measuring everything from altitude and outdoor humidity to personal calorie intake and other health-related monitoring or activities.
IoT applications typically require a single chip and low power dissipation for battery-operated devices. However, new advancements mean SoCs with graphics processing units (GPUs) that include embedded cores and integrated wireless connectivity offered in a single package. Such developments have led to IoT devices with sensors that must calculate, store and offer reliable networking capabilities. The challenge, of course, is maintaining low power consumption specifications at low cost.
Smart devices
A new study from Transparency Market Research (TMR) indicates that – like smart refrigerators – freezers are experiencing new market growth. The TMR report predicts that demand in the global freezer industry will increase at a CAGR of 5.0% until 2025. In terms of volume, global demand for freezers is also expected to increase, albeit at a CAGR of 6.5% until 2025.
There are a few reasons for these increases. Domestically, there was an increase in the consumption of prepared foods and drinks. Commercially, there are more restaurants and cafes opening around the world. There is also an increase in regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions and interest in sustainability, which is leading to greater demand for energy-efficient products – including freezers.
Manufacturers are transforming their products to, in some cases, use solar energy and the Internet of Things. IoT-connected freezers allow you to monitor internal temperature, humidity, energy usage, potential water leaks or maintenance issues, and even door status (open or closed). A real-time monitoring panel on some freezers can send real-time alerts to owners.
For IoT to work effectively, connectivity will be critical, at a cost that homeowners and commercial business owners can afford every day.
