What is IoT in the first place?
What is IoT (Internet of Things) that is often asked in recent years?
Right out! IoT is the connection of things around us to the Internet. Until now, things that could not be checked/operated without a person nearby can now be freely handled from a distance.
Let's think about something familiar. For example, public restrooms such as stations and buildings are beginning to adopt IoT. By monitoring the status of the toilet, such as the usage status of the private room, the amount of toilet paper remaining, the amount of soapy water remaining, the smell, etc., it becomes possible to clean according to the usage status, so from the management side it is a burden on the worker. On the other hand, users will be able to use clean toilets.
Elements necessary for IoT of devices
Next, let's consider the elements necessary to convert devices to IoT.
1. Sensors required for data collection
Considering the example of the toilet mentioned earlier, the first necessary element is to know the state of "door open / closed", "paper / soap remaining", and "smell". In order to know these states, we use something called a sensor.
There are a wide variety of devices for sensors, such as light, sound, humidity/temperature, pressure, distance, and acceleration.
If you want to know more about sensors, read on.
2. Wireless method for transferring data to external devices
Now that we've learned the state of things from sensors, we need a route to convey information to distant locations.
Considering the trouble of wiring and installation, IoT often uses wireless communication. In addition to Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi, which are often heard, there are various types of wireless communication standards such as Zigbee and Sub-GHz. In IoT, it is important to select which wireless communication standard.
If you want to know more about radio, read on.
・ Which method should I choose for IoT device communication?
3. Security that protects devices from malicious attacks
When sending data, you must pay attention to the security that protects the device from malicious attacks. There is a risk of data interception, falsification, spoofing, etc. by targeting vulnerabilities in devices. In recent years, cyberattacks, which are known to affect personal computers and other devices, have become a major problem for IoT devices as well.
If you want to know more about security, please read below.
・Security measures required for IoT devices
・Security design required for IoT devices
4. AI for grasping trends from acquired data and making predictions and proposals
The introduction of AI is progressing even in the world of IoT. There is a scene where daily data is detected, accumulated, and collected and analyzed from IoT devices, but rather than simply collecting and aggregating data, AI is used to make predictions and proposals to add value to products. is born. However, in order to utilize AI, it is important to set goals based on the information, such as "What do you want to achieve with AI technology and what problems do you want to solve?"
If you want to know more about AI, please read the following.
・What kind of knowledge do leaders of companies that use AI in business always have?
・How to create an AI development environment
・Analyze camera images with AI! What is IVA?
Would you like to add value to your products with IoT?
Currently, IoT is progressing everywhere, so why not add value to your own products that other companies cannot imitate?
◆ Making toilets IoT
Various social experiments have started to introduce IoT to toilets. For example, the toilets in public facilities are IoT-enabled to check congestion. Efficient use is possible by directing the user to an empty toilet.
◆ IoT for temperature control in food factories
With the implementation of hygiene management in line with HACCP, temperature control is IoT. Not only can human resources be eliminated, but human error can also be prevented.
◆ Visualize office air quality with IoT
Using various environmental sensors, not to mention temperature, humidity, and illuminance, the office environment can be viewed numerically through IoT.
◆ IoT for building disaster prevention equipment
If the sensor terminals that detect disasters are also wireless, old equipment can be renewed with little capital investment. The added value of buildings can be increased through IoT.
You don't need to have any specialized knowledge of electronics or electricity!
We (expert consultants, engineering specialists) are here to help.
Efforts of our "manufacturing consulting"
Based on the concept of "turning customer's ideas into 'form'", we will help customers who do not have specialized knowledge or experience in electrical design to introduce IoT. We will make optimal proposals by collaborating with a wide range of knowledge and technical capabilities cultivated over many years as a semiconductor trading company and many solution partners.
Benefits of using us
Finally, I will list the advantages of using our company.
・We have a wide range of knowledge from sensors to security and AI.
・Since we can obtain technical information directly from each manufacturer, we have the know-how of the latest technology.
・It is possible to collaborate with many solution partners cultivated in the history of 50 years.
・We will not only provide reports, but also provide escort-type support for realization.
- Taking advantage of our position as a semiconductor trading company, we will make feasible proposals that give priority to customer requests.
Please feel free to contact us.
Introducing Macnica 's "manufacturing consulting" (video)
You can check the introductory video here.
Inquiry
For companies that are considering digitizing their products and services and IoT in order to develop new markets and develop new products, we will provide easy-to-understand explanations from optimal product selection to introduction methods. I'll enjoy having this. Please feel free to contact us.