Internet of Things
The Internet of Things describes the network of physical objects that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies so they can exchange data with other devices and systems using the internet. These devices range from ordinary household objects to complicated industrial tools.
Today, IoT is usually used for manufacturing tools like robots, transportation and other similar things. These “things” are using sensors, thermometers, and other IoT devices to communicate with each other and complete a task as a group.
Even some of our home appliances are using IoT, and in the near future, your entire house will be communicating with itself and working together. Advanced lighting systems, advanced heat control, smart watches, smart fridges and security alarms and cameras are a few of many things that use IoT. All these appliances can be connected to each other, and they can communicate with each other so that your entire house is automated.
And all of these things can be controlled and monitored by using your phone, for example. For example, you can assign your lighting to automatically turn on if it is dark by using a sunlight sensor. Or you can assign your heating system so that it goes to specific temperatures based on the weather and humidity outside by using a heat and humidity sensor communicating with each other.
So, it is clear that IoT is very useful and rapidly expanding, and we will see much more of it in the near future.
Kids are already engaging with IoT on a daily basis, by using their phones, using televisions, fridges and other common devices. So it will be easy for kids to grasp IoT and use it. They can get involved in IoT with robotics, where they can connect sensors to the robots and assign tasks.
They can start coding on boards like the Raspberry Pi or the micro:bit and connect the boards to sensors. It is important for children to be able to work with and understand IoT because they will be the first generation to use it universally.
