An electronic device that can operate to some level interactively and autonomously is referred to as a smart device. Various wireless protocols are used to connect smart devices to other devices or networks (such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, 5G, or LiFi).
Smartphones, smart locks, smart automobiles, smart speakers, smart doorbells, smart refrigerators, smart thermostats, tablets and phablets, smartwatches, smart glasses, smart keychains, smart bands, and many other products fall under the category of smart gadgets. The term can also refer to a device that demonstrates some aspects of ubiquitous computing, such as but not limited to machine learning.
Design smart devices to operate in the physical world, distributed computing environments, and human-centered environments. Ensure they support various form factors and ubiquitous computing characteristics.
Sensors, appliances, detection equipment, and a database to control them are all indicators of smart homes. These technological gadgets might be anything from complex communication tools like smartphones to more straightforward items like smart plugs and smart lights. Consider smart washers, smart kettles, and smart thermostats.
Characteristics of Smart Devices
Smart devices are typically made up of three layers: a hardware layer (which includes a radio for signal transmission), an application layer (through which end users deliver commands), and a network layer (via which devices communicate with one another). These layers frequently include the following characteristics:
- IT resources for system hardware and software. This set is typically fixed at design time.
- Some hardware resources have dynamic component-oriented resource extensions and plug-ins (plug and play).
- Remote access and external service execution.
- Execution of local, internal autonomous services.
- Physical world interaction, Human interaction, and distributed ICT / virtual computing interaction are all examples of access to specific external environments.
The following are examples of common smart devices:
- Smart devices of the tab and pad variety frequently serve as personalized smart mobile devices.
- Environment-friendly devices.
Can Smart Devices Function Without Internet Access?
Another way to think about smart devices is the Internet of Things devices (IoT). IoT, on the other hand, is a broader category of technology. Smart devices do not always require an internet connection to function. Whether you need an internet connection depends on the device and how it interacts with the apps and other devices to which it connects.
To download a third-party app, for example, you’ll need an internet connection. Smart devices that connect via Bluetooth, on the other hand, can communicate and transmit data without requiring an internet connection. Smart scales, for example, will frequently simply connect to the relevant app on your phone. Meanwhile, smart earphones can connect to your phone’s built-in software.
Examples of Common Smart Devices
Here’s a look at some of the most typical smart devices you’ll find in your home in case you still need further explanation on them. Smart TVs, smart projectors, and smart speakers are popular home entertainment devices. Consumers use a variety of devices for home security. Smart doorbells, smart locks, smart cameras, and smart alarms are examples.
Why We Need to Outsmart Our Smart Gadgets
The majority of discourse on the Internet of Things assumes that we will forgo privacy and security for significant efficiency improvements. Nevertheless, what if the premise supporting that trade-off the concept that increased connectedness necessarily equates to increased efficiency is false? What if sharing knowledge without restriction had the same negative effects on electronics as it does on people?
In the end, research demonstrates that privacy is a source of productivity in businesses. However, too much openness at work, for example, discourages innovative problem-solving and reduces productivity.
Excessive transparency between smart devices can produce a similar consequence. Even though we’d like to believe that the gadgets in our cars and the automobiles surrounding us are communicating with one another just to keep us safe, they are chatting about us and sending data about us for analysis. When technology monitors our conduct at work, we are very aware that we are being watched and judged. It seems as though the boss is watching every move you make in real-time. So, we are reluctant to experiment and create until we are certain that our data won’t be used against us.
How much “talking” should technology do? When HBS researcher Shelley Xin Li and I recently carried out a field experiment with its service mechanics, executives at a prominent gas utility struggled with this subject. To monitor the technicians while they work, the corporation has implemented cutting-edge mobile technology that has increasingly become the norm, such as computers in every truck linked to the central dispatch and order system.
They explored making it accessible to everyone so that each person could understand where they stood in terms of performance relative to everyone else at any given time. They reasoned that such real-time transparency may boost motivation, foster a culture of justice, offer feedback for self-improvement, and give managers greater resources for training their staff.
Executives, however, could also picture the negative impacts that free access to the data may have on the organization’s culture and productivity. For example, it can discourage people from trying new things, which would lead to missed possibilities for process improvement. According to studies, it is far simpler to demotivate people than to motivate them using similar strategies (whether they are at the top or bottom of the performance curve).
The business appears to have found the appropriate balance for its employees so far by disclosing team results to everyone while keeping individual data private. Internal focus groups believed that if everyone’s data was publicly available, “the culture’s focus on collaboration and productivity” would give way to competitiveness.
UPS engaged in a protracted negotiation with the drivers and their union to use the data to increase productivity and driver safety. They concede in their Master Agreement that “there have been issues with the deployment of technology in the past,” i.e., that it has been used for disciplinary action rather than for its intended developmental purposes. Currently, UPS has more stringent guidelines on data sharing that are solely for driver improvement (unless someone intentionally defrauds the company).
Advantages of Smart Devices
Because smart devices are still a developing technology, we have yet to fully realize their potential. However, the following are some of the most obvious:
Improved Control And Convenience
Consider arriving at work and discovering that the office is always at the perfect temperature. Smart thermostats that automatically adjust indoor temperatures make this possible. Smart devices can also have a broader range of applications. For example, be used to ensure that traffic lights adjust to changes in traffic and road conditions throughout the day, reducing the occurrence of congestion.
Better Healthcare
Wearable smart devices, such as heart and fitness trackers, provide precise, blood pressure monitors, and real-time health data. These enable physicians to administer appropriate treatments and devise effective strategies to improve the well-being of their patients.
Efficiency and Productivity have Increased
Among the best examples of efficiency-enhancing smart devices are sensors that allow you to monitor valuable resources such as inventory, fuel, and available spare parts. These can help to reduce the likelihood of delays and downtime in your company. They also relieve your staff of the burden of doing mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on their work.
Disadvantages of Smart Devices
Smart devices, like any other technology, have significant drawbacks that must be addressed. They are as follows:
Dependence On Electricity And The Internet
Because smart devices are electronic, they require a power supply to function. To fully benefit from a smart device, connect it to the internet. Because 40% of the world lacks internet access, a significant portion of the human population will remain excluded.
Costly and Difficult to Obtain
The convenience of smart devices comes at a high cost just compare a regular and a smart refrigerator. A standard refrigerator costs between $1,000 and $2,000, while a smart refrigerator costs between $2,000 and $4,000. Furthermore, smart devices usually necessitate some level of technical knowledge to function properly. This can be difficult for the elderly and those who are less tech-savvy.
Cybersecurity Threats
The most serious disadvantage of smart devices is their lack of cybersecurity. Keep in mind that these electronics collect a large amount of data, some of which are personal and sensitive. Your phone, for example, contains passwords, your car’s global positioning system monitors your location, and your office security cameras monitor who comes and goes on your company’s property. They can also hack into these devices to steal data or disrupt their functionality, similar to how distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks work.
To keep malicious actors out of your smart devices, make sure they have anti-tampering and endpoint protection solutions. If hackers can infiltrate a smart device or intercept its data, you must also implement encryption protocols to ensure that data is unreadable.
Smart devices can be a powerful addition to your company’s technology, but make sure to consider the risks before implementing them. Our experts can help you identify and address potential gaps in your cybersecurity to strengthen your defenses against a variety of cyber threats.
