In order to show well how the concepts of Industry 4.0 such as IoT, for example, are becoming more popular, it is worth highlighting the existing applications that we may encounter.

When it comes to IoT applications in everyday life, this includes all smart devices such as smart scales, smart locks, smart home hubs and for example smart assistants like Alexa in Amazon or Siri in Apple[1].

Source: Designed by macrovector / Freepik

The above vector graphics show examples of the smart devices mentioned earlier. Surely some of them you recognize ( in many cases even talking about them we use the term smart, for example: smart watch, smart band, smartphone, smart TV, etc. …).

Smart’ also gave rise to many interesting ideas, which often aim at more sustainable and greener development through, for example, better and more efficient use of natural resources.

Among them there are many interesting concepts such as Smart Grid.

Smart Grid is something we can call intelligent power distribution. It is supposed to have a revolutionary role and to consist in the communication of appliances in the power network in order to reduce costs and increase network efficiency. How would that work? You could, for example, get a message from your electricity supplier so that you can reduce your electricity consumption over the next hour by 10% and get a free hour in the evening. This will optimise the work of the power plant by compensating for its efficiency at different hours[2]. Concepts such as Smart Grid are supported because of their contribution to a more efficient and greener use of resources, which is supposed to support people’s activities in taking care of the Earth. But at the same time, it is also intended to increase our quality of life.

The Internet of Things itself is one of the concepts of Industry 4.0, but it is not separated in its tasks. Other concepts also work for its success and they are effective precisely by linking them together. Of course, this does not only apply to the Internet of Things.

Most technologies and concepts of Industry 4.0 are somehow interconnected. So when it comes to the Internet of Things, it is very dependent on other concepts like:

• Big Data;
• Machine learning;
• Artificial intelligence;
• Cloud computing;
• Edge computing.

Often the boundary between different technologies is very fluid. However, it is worth noting how they support each other. Because it is their cooperation that is the driving force of change.

It is worth starting with what Edge comuputing is and how it is compatible with IoT.

Edge computing is the processing of information at the entrance. Its purpose is to process edge information so that only relevant information comes out. What is this about?

Let’s suppose you have a network of cameras and sensors around the company building. You do not want to be constantly bombarded with information from cameras and sensors (IoT) so the Edge computing architecture will work here by processing the information received from IoT devices and sending information only in case of some anomaly, in this case for example when the mentioned sensors and/or cameras detect movement. As can be seen, Edge computing is the place for the first data filtering and capturing only relevant information[3].

Another technology that is very strongly linked to IoT is BigData.

Big Data is a technology that allows for the collection and analysis of large amounts of data. It is essential for IoT because all “things” (devices, sensors) collect huge deposits of information that we want to analyse.

Thus, IoT devices collect huge amounts of data, which are then supplied and stored by BigData’s solutions using various technologies to optimise data storage in repositories.

Such systems are known as Data lake[4]. The key word here is the word – optimised. When it comes to collecting such large data, which will then be used for analysis, if it were not for optimising its storage, this would be a very difficult task (and probably also a very unprofitable). Therefore, the data is stored in the so-called ‘raw format’, which is the most effective way.

Machine learning is needed in IoT, because the amount of data coming from the devices becomes too large to be analysed effectively. Thanks to ML technology, devices can learn to measure only those that are relevant (for example, indicating a process disruption or anomaly). This is done by using advanced algorithms. Machine learning combines elements of computer science and statistical modeling, allowing for automated data analysis.

In everyday life we can find more and more places where the Internet of Things is used. Not even knowing that we are using this technology. You can hear more and more often about a concept such as Smart Home. What is it about? And can you introduce the solutions used there into your own business?

Smart Home, as the name suggests, is a home that is smart, in the sense that it can also be managed effectively. In the case of management and Smart Home it will be a matter of remote management, i.e. from a smartphone, computer or other device. As there is no single standardised definition of a smart home, it is sometimes difficult to tell when we are actually talking about such a home. However, from a number of different definition proposals we can draw several components. Among them we will find, for example, that it uses technological systems, autonomous processes and devices which we can control from one level. Among the technologies used in the house, we can distinguish, for example, the following:

• Smart lighting

The simplest of these is that we can control, for example, the intensity or colour of the individual light bulbs in the house so that they are adapted to the user and save electricity. More advanced technologies include, for example, rotational lighting. They provide the possibility to light up and turn off different light bulbs in your home (ultimately in your absence). The aim is to create the impression that someone is in the house and to scare off potential thieves. Of course, you can also program the lighting behaviour at home to your rhythm of the day. For example, knowing that you wake up at 6 o’clock, your lighting can automatically switch on and increase in intensity so that it does not disturb your eyesight. Knowing that you are already at work at 8 o’clock can automatically switch off all the light bulbs in your home so that you don’t have to worry about turning off the lights after you leave the house[5].

This technology can also be used by start-ups, where the light intensity will be adjusted to the employees’ work. It is also an interesting idea for a start-up, especially as the impact of lighting on the quality of work, health and life is increasingly being valued.

• Security

When it comes to security in a smart home, this can include the installation of sensors, cameras and/or smart locks. On the one hand, this will provide you with great security in your home/business, but on the other hand, paradoxically, it can be a source of danger. In 2016 NTT Data Corp. report as much as 80% of U.S. costumers are concerned about the security of their smart homes[6]. This is due to the fact that due to the large number of devices, hackers may have a better chance of breaking the security system by one of them and getting home. Nevertheless, the thoughtful and smart use of technology can be a great comfort.

How can start-ups use IoT technology in their operations?

Actually, there are 2 main ways:

• offer IoT solutions;
• use IoT solutions for their business.

This means that you can be a provider or customer of IoT solutions (see chapter IoT and start-ups for more details). As far as the use of IoT is concerned, this is generally associated with the use of at least a few elements of Industry 4.0. As mentioned earlier, these technologies are very interconnected and combined together they provide the right value for the user.

There are now more and more industries that are willing to use the Internet of Things. Its use is very often indicated in sectors such as:

• Healthcare;
• Retail;
• Manufacturing;
• Vehicles;
• Agriculture;
• Energy;
• Public Security.

But you can find IoT solutions almost everywhere.

---

[1] Donaldson J. (Mar 27, 2019). Why is the Internet of Things Important to our Everyday Lives? Retrieved from: https://mojix.com/internet-of-things-everyday-lives/

[2] Golczyk P. (n.d.). Big-data & internet of things czyli spojrzenie w przyszłość marketing operations. Retrieved from: http://golczyk.com/big-data-internet-of-things-czyli-spojrzenie-w-przyszlosc-marketing-operations/

[3] Fruhlinger J. (May 13, 2020). What is IoT The internet of things explained. Retrieved from: https://www.networkworld.com/article/3207535/what-is-iot-the-internet-of-things-explained.html

[4] Chen M. (August 6, 2019). How Big Data Powers the Internet of Things. Retrieved from: https://blogs.oracle.com/bigdata/how-big-data-powers-the-internet-of-things

[5] Szczęsny J. (Aug 16, 2020). 5 urządzeń smart home, które NAPRAWDĘ WARTO sobie kupić. Retrieved from: https://antyweb.pl/smart-home-urzadzenia-warto/

[6] Rouse M. (July 2020). Smart home or building (home automation or domotics). Retrieved from: https://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/definition/smart-home-or-building