Five Implementations of the Internet of Things in Everyday Life
Lately the term Internet of Things (IoT) is on the rise. Actually, IoT that what kind of creature anyway? Simple explanation, the Internet of Things is a technology that allows the objects around us to connect with the Internet. Thus, it can run a function automatically. For example, a refrigerator can track if your egg supply is gone. Then, through an Internet intermediary, he sends you a notification for you to go shopping.
IoT utilization certainly not only make smart refrigerator. There are so many other IoT implementations that can make human life easier. In fact, the presence of development boards such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Intel Edison, and Intel Galileo also encourage the makers to innovate in this sector IoT.
Want to know what? Here are five implementations of IoT in everyday life that most of you can already have. In fact, there is also something you can build yourself.
Monitor Baby with Smart Kimono
At first glance, this Mimo kimono looks like a baby clothes in general. However, the turtle-shaped ornament available to it is able to send data to the receiver in the form of a lotus flower, which then sends information to iOS or Android app via Internet connection.
Kimono is able to monitor the breath, body position, sleep activity, and baby skin temperature that you can track in real-time via a special application on the phone. One more, because there is a microphone on the turtle's accessory, you can also hear the sound around the baby.
Bicycle Able to Recommend Route
Bicycles are one of the right sports equipment juxtaposed with IoT. Vanhakws, a Toronto-based startup company, sees this as a great opportunity. They designed a connected bicycle for an urban rider. This Kickstarter project lured so many netizens to a crowdfunding pitch worth US $ 820 thousand or about Rp 11.3 billion
Bike named Valour is equipped general positioning system or GPS and a variety of sensors and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections to facilitate communication with mobile phones or smart hours. Valor can detect vehicles in blindspot riders to minimize accidents.
In addition, every use, this bike will record travel data. For example, is there a hole in the route skipped. At the next cycling session, Valour, a premium bike sold at a price starting from US $ 1,249 (about Rp17, 2 million) can recommend a more convenient route to pass.
Automatically Sprinkle Crops
Automatic sprinklers have been available for a long time. Unlike the existing ones, the system named OpenSprinkler is smarter because it is not only able to water plants according to schedule. This is also based on soil moisture conditions. As a result, water use becomes more efficient. OpenSprinkler, developed by former Wired editor Chris Anderson and Rui Wang, is connected to the internet via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
If you like ngoprek and look for smart home planting systems at home, OpenSprinkler is available in DIY (Do It Yourself) packages. Or if you do not want to bother, there are also ready-made tools built with the development board Arduino and Raspberry Pi.
Smart Power Plugs
Smart plugs, or smart plugs with this Wi-Fi connection intermediate between normal plugs in your home with household appliances such as ovens or lamps. This tool can be used to turn on or off the power connection through the phone application from anywhere, as long as it is within the reach of the Internet.
Some smart plugs are even able to monitor how much power is used. You can also save energy, which ultimately reduce costs. Although at first you must be wasteful, because the investment to buy these smart plugs are not cheap. Just for information, this tool is sold at a price range of 50 US dollars (Belkin WeMo Switch) up to 160 US dollars (Plugwise Home Start). If interested in making your own smart plugs, you can see this DIY project.
Disaster Warning System
Like to feel anxious when leaving home? Maybe it's time you installed a tool like Ninja Sphere. This tool is a hub that can connect with various sensors and other brand-made smart devices, such as temperature sensors, motion sensors, smart lights, smart plugs, and more.
The Ninja Sphere, which connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi, is able to pull data from sensors inside the home network. For example, outside and indoor temperatures. When there is a sudden spike in temperature, you'll get notifications via the phone app. You can also contact neighbors or interested parties to check before it's too late. This tool is sold for US $ 250 US dollars or about Rp 3.5 million.
You can build your own DIY home early warning system by utilizing CISECO, Libelium Waspmote, Raswik, or PiCrust. In addition to reducing costs, you can install the sensors in positions that really require surveillance.