Understanding the Internet of Things

A definition

There are numerous explanations for the Internet of Things (IoT), often accompanied by detailed infographics that illustrate its functions and advantages. To put it simply, the IoT is a network of interconnected computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals, or people, all equipped with unique identifiers (UIDs). These devices can transfer data over a network without the need for human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.

Mismatched communication

While this definition may seem complex, the key takeaway is the elimination of human involvement in data transfer. Human interactions can sometimes negatively impact communication processes, whereas machines exchange information without personal biases and with far fewer errors. It’s quite remarkable that it took so long for our technology-driven society to embrace such a revolutionary idea.

Pioneer

A fascinating example of early IoT innovation is the story of a Coca-Cola vending machine at Carnegie Mellon University in 1982. This machine was modified to automatically report its inventory and whether newly loaded drinks were cold, making it the first Internet-connected appliance. However, the term “Internet of Things” was coined by Kevin Ashton of Procter & Gamble in 1999. Ashton was working on supply chain optimization and sought to integrate RFID technology into the process.

Perfect communication

At LossLess Group, we harness the power of IoT by attaching RFID tags to textiles, enabling them to communicate with other RFID-enabled items. We’ve learned the importance of not interfering with this process, which is likely why our system has been so successful.