UBIQUITOUS IOT APPLICATIONS

Pervasive computing, or ubiquitous computing, integrates connectivity functionalities into all of the objects in our
environment so they can interact with one another, automate routine tasks, and require minimal human effort to
complete tasks and follow machine instructions.

Key Components in the Diagram:

1. Devices: These include a wide range of devices, such as phones, tablets, sensors, and household appliances, which
are all connected to a central network.

2. Internet of Things (IoT): All devices are connected through IoT, enabling them to communicate with each other
and with users.

Information Context Aware:

1. Telemetry and Content Platforms: Devices collect and transmit data, enabling systems to monitor and analyze
information in real time.

2. Edge Connections: Devices communicate locally (at the edge of the network), reducing the need to send all data
to a central server.

3. Real-Time Feedback: Systems can provide instant responses based on the data they gather, such as alerts or
suggestions.

What Are Sensors?

Sensors or transducers represent physical devices that convert one form of energy into another. Sensors convert a
physical device into an electrical impulse to take the desired action. For instance, sensors in an ambient light system
will measure the brightness of the light by turning it into an electrical signal.

What Are Actuators?

We can leverage actuators to control and manage our devices in the IoT network according to the information sent
by the sensors.

Types of Sensors

1. Temperature: the temperate sensor records the amount of heat in a given setting. It can be a machine, a room, a
car, a lab, etc. This information can be used to take the desired action, like changing the temperature to optimal
settings. The same can be automated according to some specific environmental conditions and settings.

2. Moisture: moisture sensors record the amount of humidity. They have a wide array of applications in the
environment, food supply chains, medicinal labs, agriculture, etc. Moisture sensors either have a hair tension
moisture element or a psychrometer to record the moisture content.

3. Light: Light sensors record and assess the ambient light settings in a defined area and recommend actions to
change the same. In your smartphone, when the brightness is adjusted according to the exposure to light, the light
sensor and the electrical actuator play their part. In the modern homes that have automated light settings, these
sensors are used.

4. Motion: Motion sensors are usually installed in security systems and help detect unauthorized activity. Upon
sensing activity either by changes in the heat or weight, the sensor activates an alarm system sending notifications to
the right people. Motion IoT sensors use radar, infrared, or ultrasonic waves to detect activity in their vicinity.
5. Noise: Noise sensors, as the name suggests, record the noise levels in the given environment. It can be an entire
city, a room, a car, etc. In IoT, these sensors are used to build safe working and living environments for people. They
are also used to send warning notifications to the right people when noise levels go beyond the stipulated threshold
limit.

6. Proximity: Motion sensors and proximity sensors can be kept in the same basket, as the majority of their functions
are similar. These sensors record activity nearby with the help of electromagnetic waves, including infrared. They are
used in cars, parking lots, retail stores, stadiums, airports, and in several other places to notify the people about their
proximity to different components.

7. Level: From granular materials to semi-solid liquids, level sensors detect the quantity or level of different
substances. Manufacturing industries, particularly beverage, water treatment, and waste management
organizations, have the best use of level sensors.

8. Accelerometers: Accelerometers are an impressive type of IoT sensor used to record and measure an object’s
acceleration. These types of sensors record the rate of change of an object’s speed in relation to time. Plus, they
have the added advantage of recording changes in gravity. They can be popularly used in driving fleets and smart
pedometers or to detect movement in a stationary object, helping to identify theft.

9. Gas: Gas sensors are used to detect changes in air quality. These sensors are built to detect the presence of toxic,
combustible, and other hazardous gasses in a given area. Most of the time, we see the installation of this type of
sensor in mining, oil, gas, and energy organizations. However, they are also installed in smart homes and buildings to
detect levels of CO2, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, etc.

10. Optical: Optical sensors have several use cases but have become an important part of driverless cars. These
sensors are used to detect signals and signs to provide information about the surrounding environment. In a
driverless car, these sensors are used to detect objects and signs on the road, send the signals to the central control
unit and dictate a change in behavior if required.

11. Gyroscope: These sensors are used to measure the velocity of a moving object. Velocity refers to the speed and
rotation of an object around its axis. Gyroscope sensors are commonly used in car navigation systems and in stability
control systems.

12. Chemical: We can put chemical sensors and gas sensors in the same category. With these sensors, we can expect
measurements and detection of several types of chemicals. To build IoT solutions in a factory setting, these sensors
can play an important role in ensuring workers' safety and that of the environment.

Sensors measure and record the elements they are built to do based on their sensitivity, drift, linearity, resolution,
range, precision, and accuracy. The IoT sensors built with these characteristics can provide accurate information.

Types of Actuators
1. Hydraulic: These actuators harness hydraulic power to perform mechanical functions and operations. Generally,
these types of actuators are powered by a cylinder or a fluid motor. According to the requirements and
recommendations, the mechanical motion is converted into oscillatory, linear, or rotary.

2. Pneumatic: Pneumatic actuators create two types of motions, rotary or linear. They are powered by a vacuum or
compressed air at high pressure to implement the required type of motion. Compared to other types of actuators,
pneumatic actuators are low-cost and low-maintenance actuators.

3. Electrical: In these actuators, a motor converts electrical energy into mechanical motion. These actuators are
powered by electricity and provide precision control. These actuators are heavily used in industrial settings to
automate mechanical operations.

4. Thermal: The thermal actuators have thermal-sensitive material fitted inside, which is used to produce linear
motion. The word thermal implies that these actuators are used in response to temperature changes. The most
popular use case includes shutting off valves and operating latches or switches.

5. Magnetic: These types of actuators convert electromagnetic energy into mechanical output and operate in a
linear or rotary direction. Magnetic actuators can provide continuous mechanical operation and are popularly used
in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Where IoT is shaping the new face of the industry, sensors and actuators are used to provide the required
infrastructure for building a robust industry. They are essential in almost every industrial function helping
organizations achieve streamlined output and higher productivity powered by automation.

IOT KALEIODOSCOPE

In IoT, a kaleidoscope simply means a big picture view of how all the devices, sensors, and data in a system work
together.

Just like a real kaleidoscope shows changing patterns, it shows how IoT devices interact and change over time.