How Mobile Apps Impact IoT
In an era marked by the increasing trend of connecting a wide range of devices to the internet, it’s no longer surprising that smartphones are being used to manage and control them. What exactly do Internet of Things (IoT) applications contribute in this context?
The Internet of Things (IoT) market has experienced exponential growth since 2009. According to Statista, the projected revenue for the IoT market is predicted to get an impressive US$1,177.00 billion in the year 2023. This expansion mirrors the rising embrace of IoT technologies across diverse sectors and the profound influence it wields on the global economy. As IoT evolves and broadens its scope, its influence on the market is poised to be a defining factor in shaping the future of technology and business environments. With the advancement of IoT, a multitude of innovative concepts has emerged, encompassing smart cities, connected vehicles, and interactive toys.
Mobile applications hold a crucial position within the Internet of Things ecosystem, serving as the interface through which users engage with IoT-enabled physical devices. Consequently, as the IoT market continues to flourish, the realm of mobile app development also undergoes substantial growth. In the near future, we can anticipate a profound transformation in the way people go about their daily lives. As a result, manufacturers should be mindful of key considerations to leverage the opportunities presented by this evolving technological landscape.
What does the Internet of Things mean?
The Internet of Things, often abbreviated as IoT, revolves around the idea of linking physical devices to the internet and to each other. This encompassing term spans a diverse array of devices, ranging from household appliances to automobiles and even entire structures, giving rise to the concept of smart cities. Moreover, IoT extends to the components of various machines. For instance, an aircraft’s jet engine, when connected to the internet, can transmit performance data to a mobile device, enabling engineers to fine-tune its operation or promptly identify any issues.
IoT empowers manufacturers to create personalized user experiences by integrating an array of interconnected devices into unified ecosystems. This seamless connectivity between devices unlocks a realm of promising opportunities for both businesses and consumers. Evidently, the global IoT market has already attained substantial value, estimated at $213 billion, underscoring its rapid growth and widespread adoption. Looking ahead, the future is even brighter for the IoT connectivity industry, with forecasts projecting it to soar to an impressive $621 billion by the year 2030. The rise in value underscores the growing significance and influence of IoT in shaping the technological landscape and revolutionizing our daily interactions with devices and services.
Why Connected Devices Need to Share Data
Wired covered one of the most critical IoT issues in one of its articles. It represents the idea that far from every machine should be connected to the Internet. Devices should gather and transmit data exclusively when it’s truly essential. The sole justification for connecting a specific device to the internet should be a clear and customer-beneficial purpose.
Concerning the application of the Internet of Things in manufacturing, the integration of sensors can significantly enhance efficiency and lead to substantial cost reductions. Take, for instance, the U.S.-based company Concrete Sensors, which employs a device embedded in concrete to continuously monitor its condition. This pioneering solution translates into daily savings of approximately $365,000 per floor, requiring only a $30,000 investment.
In any IoT setup, connected devices necessitate an endpoint for data retrieval, processing, and display. Presently, mobile applications predominantly serve as endpoints, facilitating music streaming, entertainment, and social interactions among friends. However, mobile applications can also serve as a gateway.
The architecture of the Internet of Things is typically simpler when compared to that of mobile devices. IoT devices require an endpoint through which they can transmit data. These endpoints are capable of monitoring various parameters, such as the status of a house door (whether it’s open or closed), and then relaying this data to software for subsequent analysis. Consequently, connected devices and mobile applications are intrinsically linked, as the latter not only serve as analytical tools but also provide a user interface for delivering processed data to end users.
Internet of Things: Utilize Cases
In recent years, there has been a substantial rise in the abundance of mobile apps designed for interfacing with IoT, significantly impacting the evolution of the Internet of Things. We firmly assert that mobile applications stand as one of the foremost driving forces behind the surge in the IoT trend. These apps transcend being mere tools; they represent a crucial element for IoT companies dedicated to innovating smarter devices with the intent of enhancing various facets of human life.
Making Feel Needed
Connected devices have evolved to provide entertainment and can even serve as partial substitutes for real pets. Take, for example, Cozmo, a compact, intelligent robot imbued with artificial emotions and a distinctive personality. Beyond being a mere interactive toy, Cozmo also serves as a valuable tool for owners looking to acquire coding skills.
Cozmo stands out as a truly exceptional Internet of Things device. Equipped with its own central processing unit, this robot autonomously governs its actions and behavior. Nevertheless, it seamlessly interfaces with a dedicated mobile application, leveraging artificial intelligence, which can be instructed and trained through the app for a myriad of tasks and commands.
The Cozmo’s Internet of Things application establishes a connection between your mobile smart device and the robot through Wi-Fi. While Cozmo lacks direct internet connectivity, it relies on Wi-Fi due to its superior bandwidth capabilities compared to Bluetooth. Each time you launch the app, the robot initiates its secure network, which users must connect to for seamless interaction.
Connecting Pets & Their Owners
PetChatz exemplifies the Internet of Things (IoT) in action, offering an interactive system that enables pet owners to engage in audio and video interactions with their beloved pets, regardless of their location. Beyond communication, PetChatz also facilitates interactive play sessions and the opportunity to reward pets with delicious treats. Moreover, it allows you to initiate video conferences with your pet or receive calls from your pet via a mobile app, triggered when your furry friend presses the communication button.
With the combination of a connected device and its dedicated mobile app, you can maintain constant contact with your pet, regardless of your location. This method is similar to the well-known PetCube device sponsored by a crowdfunding campaign.
Enhancing House Management
Smart homes are a manifestation of the Internet of Things concept, where you can link household appliances to your smartphone, granting you complete control over the functions of your domestic devices. Thanks to their internet connectivity, IoT applications can send push notifications to your smartphone, empowering users to remotely configure and toggle the systems, even when they are not at home.
An example of such a system is SmartHouse-KNX, where a simple tap within your mobile app ensures that the lights are turned off, the blinds are lowered, the hob is powered down, the heating is adjusted, and the alarm system is activated. This technology allows you to manage virtually any electricity-powered device in your home through a mobile app, leading to potential savings of up to 45% on annual energy consumption, translating to approximately €1,000 in financial savings, while significantly enhancing home security.
Our Experience
Device for remote control of street sirens
Despite the ongoing conflict, Stfalcon remained resolute in its dedication to safeguarding lives in Ukraine, placing it at the forefront of its mission. Our revised objective became “Creating software that enhances and PRESERVES people’s well-being.” In the midst of the second month of the extensive conflict with Russia, the Khmelnytskyi regional military administration reached out to us for help in streamlining the activation and deactivation of street warning sirens, a critical component in keeping the population informed about potential dangers. Read the full case study
In order to tackle this vital challenge, IoT app developers conducted an exhaustive examination of the available technological solutions in the market. Following meticulous evaluation, we chose to build upon the GSM alarm controller created by the Ukrainian company OKO as the basis for our pioneering device. Through this innovative IoT app development, we successfully automated the process of activating and deactivating street warning sirens, contributing to the safeguarding and notification of communities during these testing circumstances.
An application for working with a smart lock
Our team received the responsibility of creating software for interfacing with a smart lock. This sophisticated software was designed to offer effortless management of the home lock via a smartphone, granting users the convenience of easily opening and closing the door with a single command. Furthermore, the software introduced an innovative virtual reality password feature, enabling users to generate and deactivate virtual keys as required. The smart lock software surpassed conventional functions by incorporating automatic door-opening capabilities that intelligently identified the owner. Users not only had the ability to control the smart lock when in proximity but also had the flexibility to remotely manage it through the Internet. Read the full case study
To address a wide range of requirements, IoT app developers integrated essential features that permitted users to seamlessly integrate locks into specific sections, effectively incorporating them into their smart home setups.
Conclusion
As smartphones have become increasingly prevalent and capable of connecting to the Internet and each other, the growth of IoT has spurred a substantial market demand for mobile apps designed to manage interconnected devices. Consequently, technology companies should explore emerging opportunities to capture a share of this burgeoning market.
One of the ways the Internet of Things propels IoT app development forward is by creating a vast mobile network that boosts the demand for mobile apps. Within the IoT realm, mobile apps play a substantial role in the industry by offering convenient, real-time, and efficient methods for managing connected devices. Therefore, tech companies should hurry up to be in time to become among the pioneer innovators in IoT & our development agency Stfalcon can assist you with mobile app development for IoT. We have serious expertise in creating mobile apps from scratch for both Android & iOS. Contact us and turn your plan into a success story!
Originally published at https://stfalcon.com.
