Data Science – Internet of Things
This is my portfolio project for a Data Science course in which I conducted research about a “hot topic” that relates to data analytics. The topic I chose is Internet of Things (IoT) because it has become extremely prevalent in recent years and is affecting the way consumers and businesses operate.
Internet of Things (IoT)
What is the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of “things” with an IP address, such as devices and other computing objects, that transfers data over a network using cloud computing and sensors. The IoT came about because of the emergence of the mobility mega-trend, wireless technologies dominating the market, and the ability to integrate devices with the Internet. IoT is important because these “smart” objects can provide users with insights that they would not have access to otherwise. These insights can improve our consumer experiences, and with something like a heart monitor implant, can save lives.
How IoT Relates to Data Science
IoT relates to our Data Science course because this “machine-to-machine communication” eliminates the need for humans to manually compute all of this data themselves. Now that our “things” are driven by computing, they are much more accurate and much less expensive than man-driven data analysis. The IoT can analyze data in real-time, and when it partners with cloud-based technologies, it can leverage this data. However, this creates an enormous influx of data which raises data security and privacy issues.
Example
An example of a “thing” in the IoT that is related to our coursework are sensors and cameras located supermarkets and other retailers. These sensors are running on a network to analyze customer shopping patterns and data about the efficiency of a store’s layout in real-time. This makes the job of the person who designs stores and the products within them much easier. Additionally, tracking activity levels and monitoring movement, location, and steps using devices such as FitBit or a smartphone are relatable examples of the Internet of Things. It is obvious that this innovation is incredibly helpful to make our world more connected, to make people more aware of their surroundings, and to make our data-driven decision-making that much smarter.
Works Cited
“An Internet of Things.” Postscapes. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2016. <http://postscapes.com/internet-of-things-examples/>.
Burrus, Daniel. “The Internet of Things Is Far Bigger Than Anyone Realizes.” Wired.com. Conde Nast Digital, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2016. <http://www.wired.com/insights/2014/11/the-internet-of-things-bigger/>.
O’Brien, Brendan. “The Monetization of Things.” Recurring Revenue Blog. Aria Systems, 03 June 2014. Web. 20 Apr. 2016. <https://www.ariasystems.com/blog/internet-things-important/>.
Rouse, Margaret. “What Is Internet of Things (IoT)?” IoT Agenda. WhatIs.com, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2016. <http://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/definition/Internet-of-Things-IoT>.