The IoT (Internet of
Things) may not technically be what it sounds like the first time someone
thinks about it. Honestly, the IoT is
basically the interconnection via the Internet of a computing device embedded
within an everyday object, which would enable them to send and receive the
data. To simplify the information even
more, there is a computer inside an everyday object with connection to the internet,
this would be considered an IoT. For
example, in the consumer electronics a newer model car falls into this
category, whereas there are many other devices within the automation industry
also. The base structure of IoT comes
down to sensors, services, applications, networks, and computers. Imagine, the amount of waste, cost, and loss
reduction could be done if everything within an industry was managed by a
computer that knew everything.
Both the automotive and
US Food & Drug Administration are being affected by the recent changes to
inventory and product traceability. As
the day of logging inventory with a pen in one hand and a notebook in another,
is old news. Product traceability is
among us and it will require a much finer detail in ways of which are fully
traceable. This process also allows
companies to measure Overall Equipment Effectiveness to identify the weaknesses
within the production processes.
Although these calculations can only be collected once the data is
sufficiently delivered from the entire operation and then stored reliably. To ensure reliability wired networks are used
with automation systems, for the information to exchange at fast enough speeds,
all the way from the sensors to the robots.
Considering, there is use of wired networks the IT department will have
to work with the engineering department to gain access to the automation systems (Pye,Andy p. 65).
Within the food processing
industry ensuring the machines running time is extended throughout its
lifetime, utilizing preventive maintenance could allow this. Whereas, if preventive maintenance is not
used and a machine fails, an entire batch is lost, which is expensive and
destructive to efficiency. A recently
developed preventive maintenance system call the FAG SmartCheck created by
Schaeffler, distinguishes and reports the first vibrations before it ever
starts to fail (Andy Pye, 2014, p. 68). This allows the owner to start repairing the
system before it has a major issue to begin with. Currently, there is already an IT interface
for a brewery and beverage sector and more recently a meat processing one. They are now creating one called “WS Bake”
which will be specifically refined for the bakery industry and capture
information specific to the industry.
Networks within cars,
dealerships, bakeries, and even an aquatic robot network, such as the Sunrise
project. This project is designed to
gather and share data on freshwater environments utilizing underwater
connectivity. Considering, this will
allow robots to work together and interact with one another, some call this
‘Internet of underwater things’. Also,
because these underwater robots are unable to work autonomously with
instructions sent over the internet while communicating with each other. Just in case one or more robots have trouble
with signal and cannot communicate there will be a school of robots to carry a
greater number of sensors in order to cover a larger area.
Future changes possible
in our lighting systems at home, work, and everywhere else. Consider saving upwards of eighty percent of
energy compared to original lighting and that’s with the lights that are
supposed to be saving us energy now.
Then these are supposed to be able to survey the surroundings and then
transmit the information. Currently the first generation of smart lighting that
is available is mostly designed for the commercial use which can be integrated
within a buildings automation system.
Within ten years, this type of lighting system could become available
for everyday consumers. The next major
step is to try and integrate a better sensor and a new type of function into
the lighting system such as the ability of an occupant within the room to
adjust the lighting with their movements and activities.
References
Pye, A. (2014). The internet of things connecting the
unconnected. Engineering & Technology, 65-70.
