IoT Sensor Technology: Everything You Need to Know

Over the last few years, IoT sensor technology has evolved rapidly, capable of detecting and presenting external information in a variety of contexts

Fremont, CA: Sensors used to measure physical characteristics or device usage can be traced back to the 1960s, with the invention of the microprocessor. However, the world's first IoT device is thought to have been conceived in the early 1980s at Carnegie Melon University and used switches installed in a Coca-Cola vending machine, which was connected to a network, to report how many cans of Coke were available.

IoT Sensor Technology's Future

There is still plenty of room for IoT sensor technology to grow and disrupt multiple industries in the coming years. With a hybrid working model expected to remain popular among businesses, IoT sensors can enable employees who prefer not to work on company premises to complete tasks remotely. Meanwhile, as smart cities evolve, IoT sensors will play an essential role in citizens' lives.

With national infrastructures involving IoT sensors being built worldwide, businesses will benefit from increased connectivity and lower costs while also reducing carbon emissions as national and global sustainability targets loom.

The deployment of 5G promises to boost the IoT space as more and more device types become compatible with the burgeoning wireless technology. This won’t mean that LPWAN will lose its relevance; however — organizations will still find valuable uses for smaller amounts of data that may be easier to manage and transfer between devices. There is also the breakthrough of standards such as LTE-M and NB-IoT to consider.

The devices that host IoT sensors are likely to become more diverse, smaller, and mobile, with nanobot technology serving as a viable alternative host. This would benefit healthcare operations by allowing professionals to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses more quickly due to increased access. It is predicted that by 2025, the global nanotechnology market will be worth more than $8.6 billion.