1 IoT Fundamentals: Definitions, Architectures, Challenges, and Promises
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response time. The sensors in an IoT-enabled building can collect the traditional
information but also many other pieces of information not currently monitored, like
air quality and occupancy. Using this data, building services could be improved to
make occupants more comfortable and safer and also to use less energy. Workers
who have greater peace of mind are able to concentrate better and be more productive. A smart building can offer this increased comfort with targeting thermostats to
maintain more consistent temperatures. This results in more employee satisfaction,
but also in a reduction in facilities calls to come and adjust the thermostat. Smart
lighting can adjust light levels based on time of day and the presence of people
needing that light, resulting in added savings. As systems change and adapt,
software-based solutions will more easily adapt to them. The output of the sensors
and detectors can be collected and visualized for facilities managers, to improve
maintenance timing and effectiveness. Several companies are working for IoTintegrated solutions for the smart building, including Intel.
A case study in the possible energy conservation is that of a conference room.
These rooms are important locations for productive meetings and a valuable space
in which to work, but whether they are actually being used or not, traditionally they
receive HVAC services. Intel performed a study using its smart building product and
showed in its report that it was able to save 4 percent on HVAC costs in conference
rooms in its subject building. With LED lighting and occupancy detection, it was
able to reduce lighting wattage used per square foot from 1.09 to 0.39. Through
analyzing other data points, there is room to innovate other cost savings in offices
and shared spaces in buildings.
Power companies incentivize customers to reduce consumption during peak
times by offering lower rates or credits called Automated Demand Response. IoTdriven smart buildings can take advantage of this by knowing the current building
power usage and the grid rates and adjusting the load accordingly. There may be
some load devices whose use can be delayed until an off-peak time, for example. If
more power is demanded, then solar panels on the building, batteries or fuel cells in
the building, or even a local power generator (diesel perhaps) could be utilized to
make up the shortfall. This process can be automated via IoT solutions to optimize
the cost of power to the building.
1.4.5 Smart Factory
Like IoT and other emerging technologies, there is not a unique and universally
accepted definition for smart factory. However, smart manufacturing or smart
factories can be explained by their main characteristics and core contributing
technologies such as IoT, machine learning, 3D printing, cyber-physical system,
robotics, big data, and blockchain. In the context of IoT, smart factories are
manufacturing plants that incorporate IoT technologies into their processes to
improve and optimize each and every aspect of the factory.
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response time. The sensors in an IoT-enabled building can collect the traditional
information but also many other pieces of information not currently monitored, like
air quality and occupancy. Using this data, building services could be improved to
make occupants more comfortable and safer and also to use less energy. Workers
who have greater peace of mind are able to concentrate better and be more productive. A smart building can offer this increased comfort with targeting thermostats to
maintain more consistent temperatures. This results in more employee satisfaction,
but also in a reduction in facilities calls to come and adjust the thermostat. Smart
lighting can adjust light levels based on time of day and the presence of people
needing that light, resulting in added savings. As systems change and adapt,
software-based solutions will more easily adapt to them. The output of the sensors
and detectors can be collected and visualized for facilities managers, to improve
maintenance timing and effectiveness. Several companies are working for IoTintegrated solutions for the smart building, including Intel.
A case study in the possible energy conservation is that of a conference room.
These rooms are important locations for productive meetings and a valuable space
in which to work, but whether they are actually being used or not, traditionally they
receive HVAC services. Intel performed a study using its smart building product and
showed in its report that it was able to save 4 percent on HVAC costs in conference
rooms in its subject building. With LED lighting and occupancy detection, it was
able to reduce lighting wattage used per square foot from 1.09 to 0.39. Through
analyzing other data points, there is room to innovate other cost savings in offices
and shared spaces in buildings.
Power companies incentivize customers to reduce consumption during peak
times by offering lower rates or credits called Automated Demand Response. IoTdriven smart buildings can take advantage of this by knowing the current building
power usage and the grid rates and adjusting the load accordingly. There may be
some load devices whose use can be delayed until an off-peak time, for example. If
more power is demanded, then solar panels on the building, batteries or fuel cells in
the building, or even a local power generator (diesel perhaps) could be utilized to
make up the shortfall. This process can be automated via IoT solutions to optimize
the cost of power to the building.
1.4.5 Smart Factory
Like IoT and other emerging technologies, there is not a unique and universally
accepted definition for smart factory. However, smart manufacturing or smart
factories can be explained by their main characteristics and core contributing
technologies such as IoT, machine learning, 3D printing, cyber-physical system,
robotics, big data, and blockchain. In the context of IoT, smart factories are
manufacturing plants that incorporate IoT technologies into their processes to
improve and optimize each and every aspect of the factory.