Have you ever wondered how things around us are becoming smarter as every day passes? How we can perform certain tasks just by a click of a button? And how gadgets can make human-like decisions changing our lives in so many ways? Well, the answers to all these questions lie in two words that are IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence). Both of these technologies are the most powerful technologies today. When we merge them, we get an even more powerful technology that can greatly change the world around us.
Understanding AI and IoT
Internet of Things or better known as IoT refers to the devices and things around us that are connected to the internet. They are the devices that can collect and process the data to make better and smart decisions. These devices can be both simple and complex ranging from air conditioners, vending machines, and smart cars to thermostats, security systems, and lights in a household.
Now, talking about the Artificial Intelligence that is also popularly known as Machine Intelligence refers to the process of replicating intelligence in machines that is similar to human intelligence thereupon giving a machine the ability to think and act like humans. The three main phrases namely learning, reasoning, and perception helps the machines to make smart decisions using real-time data. For example, plagiarism checkers, self-driving cars, and Siri, they all use AI.
The power of blending AI and IoT
When artificial intelligence and the internet of things are blended, we get something called AIoT that is the artificial intelligence of things. When a device consists of both AI and IoT, it goes to the next level of technological advancement. IoT collects all the data and transfers it to a cloud or any other space where all the data is present whereas AI helps greatly in decision making and enabling the machines to act and respond accordingly. AI is the brain of an AIoT device or machine.
Let us understand this better with an example. A smart air conditioner has sensors in it that detect the temperature outside. But, a sensor only collects data whereas the AI component blended in it with IoT helps in making decisions and adjusting the room temperature accordingly.
Practical uses of AI in IoT
Traffic Management
Traffic is a great problem in urban areas. Thus, there is an urgent need for an efficient traffic management system to avoid crowding. It is very difficult for humans to manage it as it causes a lot of confusion. The smart solution to this problem is using AIoT. Drones with this technology now can be used to monitor the large areas in the cities and collect traffic data. AI can use and analyze this data to make decisions such as adjusting the traffic lights accordingly without any human interference.
Self-driving cars
Tesla’s self-driving cars are the biggest example of AIot. With the help of sensors and AI technology, the car can make human-like decisions based on its surroundings. For instance, these cars can govern the speed, weather, and road conditions and then can make an effective decision.
Smart homes
In the concept of smart homes, the devices present at the home are all connected with IoT. These devices can make smart decisions with the help of AI. Moreover, we can control them remotely which makes our lives much easier. For example, we can switch on and off our devices even if we are not at home.
Body sensors
People are living busy lives nowadays and thus it is very difficult for them to go for regular checkups to a doctor. Maintaining good health is a real challenge. But with the help of IoT and AI, this problem can be solved. Wearable devices such as fitness trackers are very advantageous in tracking heartbeat, blood sugar levels, cholesterol and much more therefore helping people in managing their health.
Manufacturing robots
Manufacturing robots are the devices with AI and IoT in them that help the manufacturing industries in their manufacturing processes. They save a lot of time and processing costs.
Face detection
Face detection devices are another important use of AIoT. They are very important for crime investigation departments and also offices for detecting the faces of criminals and employees respectively. They are also useful for recording attendance.
Retail analytics
We can get retail analytics with the help of these technologies as both overstaffing and understaffing can cause inefficient operations. Sensors and AI can be used to calculate the number of customers coming, their movements, the time is taken by them to come to the outlet, the peak hours, and other information that can be obtained by it. This can be later used to increase or decrease the staff at the counter. As a result, productivity increases and checkout time decreases.
Smart Buildings
Now only homes, but whole buildings can have AIoT installed in them. It not only increases operational efficiency but also decreases the management cost. For instance, these devices detect the presence of a person or a group of individuals in a particular room. Then, they adjust the room temperature or turn off the appliances if no one is present in that room. It increases energy efficiency thereby reducing the overall costs. Moreover, they can even detect fires or other failures in any building.
Conclusion
The time will come soon when it will become rare to find an IoT device, machine, or implementation without the use of artificial intelligence. AIoT, in general, has made the lives of people easier and smarter by providing machines and devices that have the capability of collecting data and making human-like decisions. It has the power of helping and managing a large number of people around the globe in the most efficient way. The blending of these two technologies has helped us achieve greater digital transformation and they will continue to benefit us in thousands of other ways in the future too.