The future of internet of things of Things, or IoT, has become embedded in our daily lives through a variety of devices and sensors. Its uses include smart thermostats, wearable fitness trackers, and connected cars. IoT is also an integral component in industrial settings, where it can help monitor and control critical hardware like jet engines, wind turbines, and bridges. IoT can also create digital twins, virtual models that replicate and simulate a real object in a simulation environment.

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The defining feature of IoT is that it connects physical objects with their digital counterparts. This is accomplished by embedding them with sensors, which detect changes in their environments, and actuators, which send signals based on the information received from the sensor. These devices can communicate via wired (for example, Ethernet) or wireless networks—such as WiFi and cellular—to computing systems that monitor or control them.

IoT’s underlying technologies are relatively mature, but it took years for the chips that make IoT possible to become low-cost and power-efficient enough to be affordable. In addition, the infrastructure needed to support IoT—including broadband and cellular networks, data centers, and cloud storage—had to be established.

IoT is also aided by advanced technology trends, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, which can automate the tasks that IoT devices perform. For example, an IoT-enabled door lock can automatically unlock when you get home or notify you if someone tries to break in. And an IoT device called Foobot can detect and report on indoor air pollution, which is particularly harmful to kids and seniors.