The Internet of Things, often shortened to IoT, covers all kinds of consumer and industrial devices - from smart thermostats and lights to sensors in cities and factories - equipped with sensors, software and network connectivity to communicate and exchange data.
This technology enables remote monitoring and control, provides insights via real-time data, and facilitates automation across many scenarios - at home, in industry, or in healthcare.
In the informal vein: imagine every gadget in your home turning into a little internet agent - your coffee machine can grind beans when you wake up, and the lights adjust themselves based on how sunny it is. But behind this magic lie challenges: security, privacy and complex ecosystems. Companies and standards organizations are working hard to secure communications and create compatible protocols so your smart device actually plays nicely with the other gadgets you own - without getting hacked.
