Smart technology is fast becoming dominant in the present world. At every turn you take now, the chances of making use of processes involving smart technology is high.
What exactly is smart about smart technology?
At first glance, it is easy to associate smart technology with the classroom definition of smart. The “Smart” which describes anything related to intelligence or the ability to learn and comprehend.
Relating this to the Smart devices we have around, it is easy to conclude that the devices are classroom smart.
Whereas, the smart in Smart Technology is an acronym for Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. Therefore, the word “Technology” in Smart Technology is redundant. Expressing tech terminologies in ways that are relatable to a non-technical person is important. This is why the “Technology” is there.
What is the world’s current obsession with Smart devices?
In this present time, owning a Smart device makes one feel like a literal smart person. This is because the tech industry sells these devices based on the end-users emotions, and how it makes the users feel.
For example, two people want to lock their cars. User A goes with his key to his car while User B, without leaving his spot, opens an app on his phone and clicks “Lock” and the car does lock. How do you think both users will feel? This is the ease smart technology promises.
Smart Technology not only promised comfortability, it also promised efficiency unlike their “dull” counterparts (there is no such word as dull in tech, dull here describes the ordinary or manual versions.)
Before the “SMART” version came into view, alternatives like Bluetooth and Wifi had existed long ago.
Smart Technology is generally grouped into three areas:
- Smart Connected Devices
- Unconnected Smart Devices
- Internet of Things
Smart Connected Devices
This group makes use of the internet to send and receive data or to be remotely controlled. The products in this category are ones with a real-world functions. What they pick up in the environment determines their action. Examples are Smartphones, Smart security cameras, Smart bulbs, etc.
Unconnected Smart Devices
They have a more complex make-up than their connected counterparts, in terms of embedded operating systems, sensors, data storage, and microprocessors and controls. The devices have the intelligence to react to real-life situations and predict users’ needs in such situations. An example is a smart coffeemaker already programmed to provide its services at a particular time of the day, and it does that every day.
The differences between connected and unconnected Smart devices are in automation and autonomy. Automation means its capability of working without external (manual) control while Autonomy is when a device can respond to its environment based on what it detects on its own. This ability allows smart unconnected devices to learn using experience. This is to improve performance and think about the next step to take.
Internet of Things (IoT)
This is a network of connected smart devices. It brings internet connectivity to the universe of physical objects. Consumers and Industrial chips are being inserted into our regular objects to collect data. Imagine a hairbrush that counts the number of times you pick it up to use or a detector that sends a signal when something is too hot or cold. This is the world the IoT promises and it is fulfilling it.
The three major steps involved in an IoT process are:
- Gathering data
- Collecting data
- Data processing
As easy as these processes look, carrying them out in reality involved a lot of complexity and the introduction of sensors and other hardware to aid communication using the internet. Read this for more information about IoT.
Benefits of Smart Technology
- The ease of use.
- Smart Technology provides security
- It ensures sustainability.
- Efficiency is guaranteed.
- It helps save time too.
In summary, the gospel of Smart Technology is fast spreading across the world. It is only a matter of years before it takes full dominance. This is dependent on the promises of ease it has to offer. Many people would prefer to spend more money and save the time and energy used in operating unlike their “dull” counterparts.
