The Emerging Internet of Things Marketplace From an Industrial Perspective: A Survey (1502.00134v1)

Abstract: The Internet of Things (IoT) is a dynamic global information network consisting of internet-connected objects, such as Radio-frequency identification (RFIDs), sensors, actuators, as well as other instruments and smart appliances that are becoming an integral component of the future internet. Over the last decade, we have seen a large number of the IoT solutions developed by start-ups, small and medium enterprises, large corporations, academic research institutes (such as universities), and private and public research organisations making their way into the market. In this paper, we survey over one hundred IoT smart solutions in the marketplace and examine them closely in order to identify the technologies used, functionalities, and applications. More importantly, we identify the trends, opportunities and open challenges in the industry-based the IoT solutions. Based on the application domain, we classify and discuss these solutions under five different categories: smart wearable, smart home, smart, city, smart environment, and smart enterprise. This survey is intended to serve as a guideline and conceptual framework for future research in the IoT and to motivate and inspire further developments. It also provides a systematic exploration of existing research and suggests a number of potentially significant research directions.

Overview of "The Emerging Internet of Things Marketplace From an Industrial Perspective: A Survey"

The surveyed paper systematically evaluates the current landscape of IoT solutions from an industrial viewpoint, focusing on the technologies, functionalities, and applications within this space. The authors, Perera, Liu, and Jayawardena, provide a structured overview of over one hundred IoT smart solutions, delineating these into five primary categories: smart wearable, smart home, smart city, smart environment, and smart enterprise. This classification aids in identifying the current trends, potential opportunities, and the open challenges inherent in the industrial implementation of IoT technologies.

Key Findings and Analysis

The paper identifies distinct functionalities and applications across diverse domains:

1. Smart Wearable: These solutions show a significant focus, reflecting high market potential. Various functionalities include personal sports assistants, health monitors, and secure authentication devices. The devices typically pair with smartphones, providing data processing and user interaction interfaces.
2. Smart Home: Solutions in this domain emphasize convenience and enhanced living experiences, integrating platforms like SmartThings and Ubi for comprehensive home automation. These solutions highlight the trend towards virtual assistance and digital relationship-building through connected devices.
3. Smart City: IoT solutions for urban spaces address challenges of efficiency and resource management. Initiatives like ParkSight and smart traffic systems illustrate the focus on integrating communication technologies with urban infrastructure to manage resources effectively.
4. Smart Environment: Solutions for environmental monitoring are oriented towards real-time data collection and analysis, employing community-based models for air and water quality management. Technologies in this area face unique challenges concerning harsh environmental conditions.
5. Smart Enterprise: There is substantial investment in the optimization of supply chains and industrial processes, supported by solutions such as SenseAware. These applications often focus on real-time data analytics to enhance operational efficiency and safety.

Numerical Results and Contributions

The paper underscores the prevalence of IoT solutions integrating both hardware and software components. WiFi and Bluetooth were identified as the predominant communication protocols, with a significant trend towards supporting multiple operating platforms such as Android and iOS. This dual-component strategy provides flexibility and enhances user interactivity, albeit with a strong reliance on smartphone interfaces for data visualization.

Implications and Future Directions

The findings suggest a burgeoning movement towards generalized platforms that could support a multitude of applications across domains. While the current focus remains relatively narrow in terms of functionalities, expansions into broader, interoperable solutions are anticipated. Challenges such as modularity, seamless multi-protocol support, sustainable business models, and robust security measures represent pivotal areas for further exploration and innovation.

Conclusion

This survey elegantly delineates the current industrial perspective of IoT solutions, providing a comprehensive reference for researchers and practitioners. It identifies key technological trends and highlights both the potential and challenges within the IoT marketplace. For continued development, addressing open research questions surrounding interoperability, security, and business sustainability will be critical for advancing the practical applications of IoT technologies.