The internet of things (IoT) refers to the way in which many everyday devices are now internet-enabled and thus part of the global network. This includes domestic devices (e.g. internet-enabled kettles, smart-fridges, and door-step cameras), smart cities (e.g. traffic lights, pedestrian flow sensors, pollution monitoring) and industrial applications (e.g. stock monitoring through NFC, industrial robots). IoT offers the oppoortunity to interlink these devices and thus allow applications, such as automatically adding milk to your internet shopping list when it runs low in the fridge, or adjusting traffic light timings during epriods of conjestion. However, there are worries about privacy (e.g. if the supermarket learns about your daily eating) and security (e.g. when building heating systems have been targetted by cybercriminals).
Used on pages 364, 463, 566
Also known as IoT