What Makes A Device Smart?

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The Internet of Things (IoT) is creating a whole new world of devices. It’s ushering in a new age of devices across industries. But what makes a thing a smart thing – a connected device in keeping with the IoT paradigm? At the basic level, you need four components: sensors, controls, a controller, and power.

The last requirement is, of course, the easiest. Dumb devices also need some power to keep running. The other three can be unique to IoT.

The big question when it comes to sensors is what exactly do you want to measure? Whatever it is, the information you gain should be useful and add value. Can you make use of it immediately, or can you store the data and figure out what to do with it later? An internet- connected heart monitor, for example, is useful straight away. But what about the tools in the workshop or the equipment in the armoury? Keeping track of who is using what and when can prove a boon of useful data in the right circumstances.

Whatever your needs, there is a sensor for almost any task. The technology has advanced leaps and bounds in recent years, and we can now measure nearly anything with very little power. Common sensors include those measuring acceleration, temperature, location, light, and more.

And what about controls? Many devices won’t actually need any. They keep gathering data for extended periods and report it. But some devices could really do with some on the spot tweaking. Controls can range from complete, complex electromagnetic systems loaded with sophisticated software to a simple switch. One example would be a smart thermostat that on the controls side would only need to turn the heater on or off. On the other end of the scale you could have a fully-fledged robot.

And the controller? With the internet and smartphones, a dedicated app can take care of those needs.

With these four in place (or any required combination of them), you get a smart device.