IoT Applications Across Sectors

IoT devices have a wide range of applications. They are used in almost every sector of society to assist in various ways to simplify routine work and personal tasks and, thus, improve the standard of living. IoT technology is included in smart homes and buildings, healthcare devices, industrial appliances, transportation, security devices, the retail sector, etc.

Applications of IoT Devices

Smart Homes and Buildings

Smart devices that are connected to the Internet, providing different services to end-users, include thermostats, lighting systems and security systems, and several other systems that reside in buildings.

Healthcare and Life Sciences

In the healthcare and life science sectors, devices include wearable devices, health monitoring devices such as implanted heart pacemakers, ECG, EKG, surgical equipment, telemedicine, etc.

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is attracting growth through three approaches:

• Increasing production to boost revenue
• Using intelligent technology that is entirely changing the way goods are made
• The creation of new hybrid business models

Transportation

Use of IoT technology in the transportation sector follows the concept of vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-roadside, and vehicle-to-pedestrian communication, thus improving traffic conditions, navigation systems, and parking schemes.

Retail

IoT in retail is mainly used in payments, advertisements, and tracking or monitoring products to protect them from theft and loss, thereby increasing revenue.

IT and Networks

In IT and networks, IoT devices mainly include various office machines such as printers, fax machines, and copiers as well as PBX monitoring systems; these serve to improve communication between endpoints and provide ease of sending data across long distances.

IoT Application Areas and Devices

Industrial

• Resource Automation: Mining, Irrigation, Agricultural, Woodland
• Fluid/Processes: Petrochemicals, Hydro, Carbons, Food, Beverages
• Converting/Discrete: Metals, Papers, Rubber/Plastic, Metalworking, Electronics, Assembly/Test
• Distribution: Pipelines, Conveyance
• Specialty: Fuel Stations, Gaming, Bowling, Cinemas, Discos, Special Events
• Retail
  • Hospitality: Hotels, Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Clubs
  • Stores: Supermarkets, Shopping Centers, Single Site, Distribution, Centers
  • Surveillance: Radar/Satellite, Environment, Military Security, Unmanned, Fixed
  • Equipment: Weapons, Vehicles, Ships, Aircraft, Gear
  • Security/Public Safety
    • Tracking: Human, Animal, Postal, Food, Health, Baggage
    • Public Infrastructure: Water, Treatment, Building, Environment, Equipment and Personnel, Police, Fire, Regulatory
    • Emergency Services: Ambulance, Police, Fire, Homeland Security

IT and Networks

• Public: Services, E-Commerce, Data Centers, Mobile Carriers, ISPs
• Private Enterprise: IT/Data Center Office, Privacy Nets

Service Sectors, Application Groups, Locations, Devices

Buildings

• Commercial/Institutional: Office, Education, Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Airports, Stadiums
  • Devices: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Transport, Fire and Safety, Lighting, Security, Access, etc.
• Industrial: Process, Clean Room, Campus

Energy

• Supply/Demand: Power Generation, Transport, and Distribution, Low Voltage, Power Quality, Energy Management
  • Devices: Turbines, Windmills, UPS, Batteries, Generators, Meters, Drills, Fuel Cells, etc.
• Alternative: Solar Wind, Co-generation, Electrochemical
• Oil/Gas: Rigs, Derricks, Heads, Pumps, Pipelines
  • Devices: Digital Cameras, Power Systems, MID, e-Readers, Dishwashers, Desktop Computers, Washing Machines / Dryers, Meters, Lights, TVs, MP3 Devices, Games Consoles, Alarms, etc.

Consumer and Home

• Awareness and Safety: Security/Alerts, Fire Safety, Elderly, Children, Power Protection
• Convenience and Entertainment: HVAC/Climate, Lighting, Appliances, Entertainment
  • Devices: Digital Cameras, Power Systems, MID, e-Readers, Dishwashers, Desktop Computers, Washing Machines/Dryers, Meters, Lights, TVs, MP3 Devices, Games Consoles, Alarms, etc.

Healthcare and Life Science

• Care: Hospital, ER, Mobile, POC, Clinic, Labs, Doctors’ Offices
• In Vivo/Home: Implants, Home, Monitoring Systems
• Research: Drug Discovery, Diagnostics, Labs
  • Devices: MRI Machines, PDAs, Implants, Surgical Equipment, Pumps, Monitors, Telemedicine, etc.

Transportation

• Non-Vehicular: Air, Rail, Marine
  • Devices: Tanks, Fighter Jets, Battlefields, Jeeps, Cars, Ambulance, Homeland Security, Environment, Monitor, etc.
• Vehicles: Consumer, Commercial, Construction, Off-Highway
  • Devices: Vehicles, Lights, Ships, Planes, Signage, Tolls, etc.
• Transport Systems: Tolls, Traffic Management, Navigation