Introduction to Internet of Things (IoT)
Drucker’s Cross-Boundary Thinking
The Internet of Things (IoT) is an important component of the new generation of information technology and a significant development stage in the “information age”. Its English name is: “Internet of Things (IoT)”.
As the name suggests, the Internet of Things is an internet that connects everything.
This has two meanings:
First, the core and foundation of the Internet of Things is still the internet, which is an extension and expansion based on the internet;
Second, its user end extends and expands to any item to item, facilitating information exchange and communication, which means everything is interconnected.
The Internet of Things is widely applied in the integration of networks through intelligent perception, recognition technology, and ubiquitous computing communication sensing technologies, and is therefore referred to as the third wave of world information industry development after computers and the internet.
The Internet of Things is an application extension of the internet. Rather than saying the Internet of Things is a network, it is more accurate to say that the Internet of Things is about business and applications. Therefore, application innovation is the core of the Internet of Things development, with user experience as the soul of innovation 2.0.
Common Misunderstandings
Misunderstanding One
Equating sensor networks or RFID networks with the Internet of Things. In fact, both sensor technology and RFID technology are merely one type of information collection technology. Aside from sensor technology and RFID technology, GPS, video recognition, infrared, laser, scanning, and all technologies that can achieve automatic identification and communication between items can serve as information collection technologies for the Internet of Things. Sensor networks or RFID networks are just one application of the Internet of Things, but they are certainly not the entirety of it.
Misunderstanding Two
Thinking of the Internet of Things as an infinite extension of the internet, where everything is completely open, interconnected, and shared. In reality, the Internet of Things is by no means a simple infinite extension of a globally shared internet. Even the internet itself does not solely refer to the internationally shared computer network we typically think of; the internet also includes wide area networks and local area networks.
The Internet of Things can extend from the internet to items in a conventional sense; it can also be composed of local networks and specialized networks based on real needs and industrial applications. In reality, it is neither necessary nor possible to connect all items to the internet; nor is it necessary for specialized networks and local area networks to be connected to a global internet sharing platform. The future Internet of Things will differ greatly from the internet, with specialized networks like smart logistics, smart transportation, and smart grids; local networks like smart communities will be the largest application space.
Misunderstanding Three
Believing that the Internet of Things is an omnipresent network of interconnection, hence considering it an unrealistic technology. In fact, the Internet of Things is very real, and many basic applications have already been serving us. The concept of the Internet of Things is an integrated innovation based on many real applications, summarizing and enhancing the existing networked, intelligent, and automated systems that allow for interconnection. It upgrades our understanding from a higher perspective.
Misunderstanding Four
Thinking of the Internet of Things as a catch-all basket, where any product that can interact or communicate is considered an IoT application. For example, products that merely have some sensors embedded are labeled as IoT appliances; products with RFID tags are considered IoT applications, and so on.
Expert Opinions
On June 22, 2010, the China International Internet of Things Conference stated that the Internet of Things will become a trillion-dollar emerging industry in the global information and communication sector. By 2020, the number of terminals connected to the Internet of Things globally is expected to reach 50 billion. As a major internet country, China will focus on breakthroughs in policy markets, technical standards, and commercial applications within the industrial chain of the Internet of Things, aiming to create a global industrial hub.
The Internet of Things represents another revolutionary development in the information industry following computers, the internet, and mobile communications. The Internet of Things has been officially listed as one of the key strategic emerging industries for national development. The Internet of Things industry features a long industrial chain and involves multiple industrial clusters, with its application scope nearly covering all industries.
Hu Qiheng, Chairman of the China Internet Association: The rapid development of China’s internet industry has led to the largest number of internet users in the world, laying a foundation for the future development of the Internet of Things industry. The Internet of Things connects items to achieve remote control or facilitate information exchange between people and items or among items. Currently, the application needs and fields of the Internet of Things industry are very broad, with a huge potential market size. The development of the Internet of Things industry will also drive the simultaneous development of a series of industries such as sensors, microelectronics, and video recognition systems, bringing significant production benefits to industrial clusters.
Zhang Feng, Director of the Communication Development Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology: The Internet of Things is one of the most promising industries today, which will strongly promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, lead the development of strategic emerging industries, achieve economic structural adjustments, and trigger profound changes in social production and economic development methods. It has tremendous strategic growth potential and has become a strategic high ground for economic development and technological innovation in the post-crisis era. It has become a leading force for countries to build new social models and reshape long-term national competitiveness. China must firmly grasp the direction and opportunities for industrial innovation and accelerate the development of the Internet of Things industry.
The content of this article is sourced from “Drucker’s Cross-Boundary Thinking”