The internet of Things (IoT)
The IoT or Internet of Things is the network of physical objects-devices, vehicles, buildings and other items embedded with electronics
Β The IoT is significant because an object that can represent itself digitally becomes something greater than the object by itself. No longer does the object relate just to you, but is now connected to surrounding objects and database data. When many objects act in unison, they are known as having "ambient intelligence." "If we had computers that knew everything there was to know about things - using data they gathered without any help from us - we would be able to track and count everything, and greatly reduce waste, loss and cost. We would know when things needed replacing, repairing or recalling, and whether they were fresh or past their best".
Β Most of us think about being connected in terms of computers, tablets and smartphones. IoT describes a world where just about anything can be connected and communicate in an intelligent fashion. In other words, with the Internet of Things, the physical world is becoming one big information system. As far as the reach of the Internet of Things, there are more than 12 billion devices that can currently connect to the Internet, and researchers and experts estimate that by 2020 there will be 26 times more connected things than people.