Got a smartphone? How about a TV that connects to the internet? Maybe even a thermostat you can control from an app? If you have any one of these items, it puts you into the category of owning an Internet of Things (IoT) device.
What Are IoT Devices?
IoT devices are hardware that have a wireless network connection and are integrated into equipment or other devices, so they can receive and share data. Examples of IoT devices include sensors, actuators, appliances and gadgets.
IoT devices aren’t just used by consumers. They’re also transforming industries like logistics, retail, energy, IT infrastructure and autonomous vehicles. As a result, the number of IoT devices is expected to surpass 29.4 billion by 2030.
What Are IoT Devices?
IoT devices are hardware that connect wirelessly to the internet or a local network hub. These remotely controlled devices have the ability to transmit and receive data from other devices. Some everyday examples include a smart car, smart doorbell or even a smart refrigerator. Through IoT devices, ordinary objects become tools that provide information.
How Do IoT Devices Work?
Many IoT devices gather information via their sensors and then use software to analyze it and determine what decisions to make based on the data.
These devices usually connect to a central server to get more information. They also compare and transmit data to public websites and services to collect data, as well as connect to a messaging server that can email, text or call. IoT devices can also connect to other IoT devices via the same wireless network to instruct them on what to do.
Although IoT devices can make tasks easier, more convenient or expand the capabilities of the task, these devices can also pose a security and safety threat if they are hacked or compromised.
22 Top IoT Devices
Consumer
Smart Speaker
Amazon’s Echo Dot is a voice-controlled smart speaker with the help of Amazon Alexa support. It can control smart plugs and thermostats, and it connects with Alexa devices outside and inside your home. It also takes advantage of Alexa’s voice assistant to answer questions and perform tasks.
Smart TV
Samsung’s SmartThings IoT Hub includes its S90C TV, which relies on the Smart TV Hub to deliver high-quality resolution and a host of AI features. As part of the IoT Hub experience, users can reduce energy usage with AI Energy Mode, deliver voice commands through the SolarCell Remote and protect their S90C TVs with Knox Security.
Smart Watch
Apple continues to lead the way in the smartwatch sector with its Apple Watch Ultra 2. Powered by a new dual-core CPU, this watch enables users to control timers, answer calls and perform other actions by simply double-tapping their index finger and thumb. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also tracks heartbeat rhythm, REM sleep and different types of physical activity during multi-sport workouts.
Smartphone
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra showcases the latest advancements in smartphone technology. With AI features, users can preview and edit photos, summarize stories in a few short bullet points, reply quickly with chat recommendations and translate text messages into another language in real time with Live Translate. Users can also circle objects in videos with the built-in S Pen or their finger to activate an immediate Google search.
Smart Alarm
Google’s Nest Protect is a smart smoke and CO2 detector that provides audible warnings and explains where in the house smoke or CO2 is located. Once they’ve linked Nest Protect to a smartphone, users can receive mobile alerts when they’re on the go and silence their smart smoke alarm with a tap. Nest Protect also communicates air status with green, yellow and red colors for easy monitoring.
Smart Refrigerator
Samsung has also upgraded its smart fridges, supplementing IoT technology with AI features. The company’s Bespoke refrigerators can connect to a smartphone app, so users can view the inside of their fridge and preheat the oven with a few taps. With the addition of AI, these fridges can now identify individual food items, alert users when foods are about to expire and even recommend recipes upon accessing a user’s Samsung Health profile.
Autonomous Vehicle
Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing fleet prioritizes safety during navigation with the help of lidar sensors attached to each vehicle. These sensors provide a 360-degree view of a vehicle’s surroundings, allowing the company’s self-driving cars to remain aware of what’s around them. Combining sensor data with machine learning, Waymo’s vehicles can quickly detect objects and pedestrians and take appropriate action.
Fitness Mirror
FORME offers two smart mirror options for home workouts in the FORME Studio and the FORM Lift, which comes with its own strength training arms. Both smart mirrors are equipped with a high-definition touchscreen and enhanced audio. Once connected to the FORME app, these smart mirrors can provide personal coaching, track progress, display on-demand workouts and play songs from popular music apps.
Smart Lamp
The Philips Hue Bridge and a Bluetooth-controlled system allow you to unlock all the features in the Philips Hue IoT system, such as controlling your smart lights and syncing your lights the games, music or movies. Paired with Philips Hue’s portable smart lamp, this system enables users to set the mood with different lighting and light effects.
Smart Lock
BenjiLock has designed two smart locks — one is tailored to TSA requirements and stores up to five fingerprints while the other caters to daily usage and stores up to 10 fingerprints. All it takes is a simple tap and each device unlocks upon recognizing a user’s fingerprint. Both locks come with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and the daily-use smart lock can last up to one year on a single charge.
Smart Toy
Sphero’s Sphero Mini is a compact sphere intended to make STEM education and coding more enjoyable for kids through hands-on learning. The toy works in tandem with the Sphero Edu and Sphero Play apps, which users can access on common mobile and laptop devices. Users can then play games to learn core subjects and computer science concepts to build well-rounded skill sets.
Enterprise
Smart WiFi System
NETGEAR’s Orbi Pro WiFi 6 delivers comprehensive WiFi coverage using a mesh system, meaning it connects to other Orbi Pros in an office space to cover all corners. The Orbi Pro WiFi 6 is built to handle more connected devices and data than previous Orbi Pro models while supporting WPA3 and VLAN security procedures. In addition, users can install the NETGEAR Insight app to remotely control and monitor their network.
Fingerprint Timeclocks
WorkEasy Software’s Xenio 500 uses an advanced fingerprint sensor to capture real-time data when employees log on and log off for work, even if their hands are wet or messy. The IoT time clock can also ask employees questions, share workplace tips and advice and enable managers to contact employees when they’re clocking in or out.
Robots
Laser sensors, ultrasound transmitters and receivers and obstacle detectors are among the many sensors strategically placed on SoftBank Robotics’ Pepper to help it present life-like movements, according to a GWS Robotics report. These IoT devices collect data and help Pepper respond in a human-like way. As a result, Pepper has started being introduced into settings like senior housing developments.
Smart Lighting
Lutron’s Vive Hub communicates with wireless lighting sensors to order lights on, off, dimmed, brightened and report back energy consumption. Not only is installing the Vive Hub convenient, but the system is also designed to scale up if customers want to add sensors, controls and other devices. All you need is a smartphone to program your office’s IoT lighting system.
Smart Security
Bastille’s Enterprise security system gathers data from company equipment using security sensors to hunt down questionable or unauthorized radio signals being emitted from within the workspace. Companies can then detect devices not connected to their networks, infiltrated devices and security breaches in the immediate vicinity.
Smart Thermostats
Honeywell’s Connect Me occupant app teams up with its smart thermostat TC500A to allow remote monitoring of commercial buildings from a mobile device. The thermostat system connects to the cloud and can also be managed locally from an app for a small commercial setup or one with multiple sites.
Industrial
Autonomous Tractors
John Deere’s experimental self-driving tractor features six pairs of stereo cameras to gauge distance and capture a 360-degree view as it plows through fields within a geofence. First introduced in 2022, the tractor will rely on Starlink to give farmers a consistent internet connection as the product nears its release.
Chillers Monitor
Johnson Controls’ smart connected chillers gather data from your building’s equipment, analyze it and notify you when it’s time for an upgrade or maintenance. This way, businesses can save energy and downtime. The company offers a range of chillers to choose from, including air-cooled, water-cooled and absorption chillers.
Glucose Monitor
Dexcom’s G6 one-touch applicator inserts a small sensor just beneath your skin, which continuously measures your glucose level and sends the data wirelessly to a display device via a transmitter, according to the company’s website. This IoT healthcare device lets you read the results on your smartphone or touch the screen on the receiver. The company has since followed up its G6 with the release of the G7 with more advanced features.
Smart Glasses
Iristick creates smart glasses for the workplace, including the Iristick.G2 and the Iristick.G2 Pro. Both models are outfitted with a zoom lens for increased focus, a heads-up display for visually sharing information and gesture and voice command controls. For fast charging, Iristick’s smart glasses connect with Android and iOS devices as well.
Smart Traffic Lights
Ford is testing connected traffic lights that would time red and green lights for emergency vehicles and explore the benefits of combining automated and connected vehicles on the same networked infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin town of Fort Atkinson is installing smart traffic lights to more efficiently regulate traffic and reduce the amount of time cars spend idling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does IoT stand for?
The acronym ‘IoT’ stands for ‘Internet of Things’ and refers to physical devices that wirelessly connect to the internet and other networks to receive and exchange data with each other.
What are IoT devices?
IoT devices are sensors, actuators, appliances and other types of hardware that are wirelessly connected to the internet or other networks. These devices are often embedded in other devices and equipment and use their wireless connections to store, receive and share data.
Do IoT devices need internet?
IoT devices are most effective when they have an internet connection. However, IoT devices without an internet connection can still exchange data with immediate devices through local networks like Bluetooth.
