The [Internet of things](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_things) as a concept means adding network connectivity to physical objects. This might be through a mobile network like GSM up to 5G, through a local cable based or wireless network or the object could be paired to another device that would provide network connectivity. The digitally augmented object is able to send data, usually telemetry data that it collects through a number of sensors. One typical use case is to send telemetry data about the current state of the object and its components, for example the number of rotations inside an engine or the current brightness of a dimmable LED light. Another use case is to send data about the environment around the object, for example the outside temperature, ambient light or humidity. The object is also able to receive network data, usually to allow control remotely to its features and functionalities. A well know example of this would be a smart light bulb that can be controlled via a smartphone or tablet. ![[Philips Hue with Bluetooth.png]] *Philips Hue with Bluetooth, Signify, https://www.signify.com/de-de/our-company/news/press-releases/2019/20190806-philips-hue-bluetooth-now-available-in-germany* Note that this concept is not new. Medical equipment has been digitally augmented for decades with vital sign monitors being able to share their data across devices and alerting doctors in case of medical emergencies. More commonly, heating systems in houses and office buildings have been connected for over 20 years as they started collecting data from sensors to regulate the temperature across the property. Of course those kind of systems started out rather large and expensive. What's new is that smaller and cheaper objects are now connected in the same way. ## Key drivers for IoT While connected devices enable convenient and safe scenarios, the Internet of Things is driven as much by economics as it is by convenience. In fact, it is now cheaper to integrate more technology into objects than integrating less. The rule of scale dictates that the more of an item is produced, the cheaper it will get. To achieve maximum scale, technology components are used not only in one product category, but are shared between them. That’s why technology giants like Samsung offer such a wide array of devices, from smartphones to TVs, fridges or other household appliances . If a component becomes obsolete in one product category, it will be replaced in all categories to again achieve maximum scalability. Recently a product category spawned that drove miniaturization and integration of capabilities to the next level: Smartphones. As smartphones became ubiquitous, they gained more abilities: touchscreens, cameras, fingerprint sensors, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as well as increasingly faster mobile network connectivity. The technology also got smaller and lighter with lower power consumption. Finally they spawned mature operating systems, distribution platforms and developer ecosystems. If a manufacturer wants to develop any kind of physical product that is somehow electrical, they will most likely look into smartphone technology as existing off-the-shelf components. Let’s look at printers for example. A cheap, modern printer will feature a color control screen, probably even a touch screen. It will print, fax and copy, be accessible via network plus USB and have an army of other neat little features. Instead of developing and testing new hardware components, developing or adapting an operating system and app environments, manufacturers would buy smartphone components and get most of the functionality "for free" — a smartphone is already able to do everything that a printer would need to do. ![[Canon Pixma Printer.png]] *Example of a basic printer, Canon Pixma, https://www.canon.co.uk/printers/pixma-tr7550/* Smartphone components are already produced to scale, readily available for low prices and a mature supply chain. As a result they are used everywhere electrical, and thus fridges and ovens are now able to surf the web and send us notification to our phones. ![[Samsung Family Hub Fridge.png]] *Samsung Family Hub Fridge, Samsung, https://www.samsung.com/us/home-appliances/refrigerators/4-door-french-door/28-cu--ft--4-door-french-door-refrigerator-with-21-5--connected-touchscreen-family-hub--in-tuscan-stainless-steel-rf28r7551dt-aa/* At this point it could be argued that nobody needs a connected fridge, connected oven, connected chair, connected coffee mug or connected toothbrush. But this is besides the point - not embedding digital abilities into objects will be more expensive than not doing so. Non-digital objects will be pushed into the realm of focused professional niches and artisan products. Thus the assumption is: Everything that can be digital will be digital. Everything that is digital will be more digital. This will continue to the point where every object is digitally connected. ## Summary **What it is**: Adding network connectivity to physical objects. **What it enables**: Everything that can be digital will be digital. Everything that is digital will be more digital. This will continue to the point where every object is digitally connected.