Business content writer for Corematic

Michelle Husbands

Mechatronics Engineer at Corematic

The Internet of Things (IoT) is changing the world we live in and how we interact with others. Nowadays, practically all devices have an Internet connection that allows them to share data with any number of others. Even better, IoT gives us the ability to monitor a process from anywhere in the world. For example, imagine you are in the office and forgot to turn the air conditioning off before leaving the house. In a smart house, the AC has a connection to the Internet so you can check the status of the appliance at any time. You just need to access the app on your phone. This will give you a status summary of all devices in the network. It will even allow you to switch them on or off.

Another example, this time in the agricultural industry. Picture a farmer wanting to water their soil every time the moisture level drops below a certain level. Instead of testing the soil manually, IoT actuators and sensors can check this variable automatically and upload the data to the cloud, where cloud computing will translate it into meaningful information. The interpreted information gives the farmer the knowledge to make factual decisions regarding the soil’s health.

In other words, IoT is opening the door to a new engineering era.

A period of smart solutions.

IoT is enormous, and it will only continue to become more prominent. The solutions this technology offers are exponential, and its applications are beyond our current imagination. The following technologies are examples of IoT solutions that could benefit your business.

Body temperature scans

2020 brought tough times. The pandemic forced employers to re-think their approach to workplace health and safety with enhanced cleaning and sanitising protocols. Multiple challenges arose over the last year which changed the critical nature of face-to-face workplace interactions, the main channel for how most of us help communities and interact with our clients.

To that end, mass screening and recurrent temperature monitoring systems raised in popularity, so the identification of potentially infected individuals was safer and faster. Business owners can install these systems in entryways, checkpoints, or other crowded areas. They use a thermal camera to scan a person’s face and alarm the user if the value is too high. It provides a fast and accurate test for human body temperature. Some temperature scan systems only need around 1 second to analyse the user’s temperature, with an overall pass rate of about 40 people per minute.

In the past, this sort of technology was not accurate enough. Moreover, its price was too high for regular businesses. Without a doubt, IoT and the Fourth Industrial Revolution have made it possible for body temperature scans to be more accessible and easier to implement everywhere!

Learn more about our IoT solution, Thermoscan.

Smart Factories

Another solution that has gained popularity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution is smart factories, highly digitalised and connected industrial environments. In other words, a smart factory consists of machines and sensors that can share data between each other and a cloud for computing different variables. The collection, sharing, and processing of data are continuous actions throughout the network which enable the sensing, measurement, control, and communication of everything involved in the manufacturing process. Consequently, the control and monitoring of processes are faster and smoother.

Additionally, a cloud solution allows for remote monitoring and control of operations, as well as data analytics, and maintenance assistance. As such, there is no requirement for an operator to be present at the production line anymore. By just using your phone or a computer, you can check on a particular process or even control a specific device.

The collection of data occurs without the need for a break, allowing the plant to run smoothly and continuously. Most importantly, supervisors and management have access to meaningful data that allows them to make better and rational decisions.

In conclusion, Smart factories transform a facility into a paradise of efficiency where defects and downtime, waste, and lost time will be soon forgotten problems!

See how we can transform your facility to a Smart Factory. 

Yield Monitoring Systems

Finally, an IoT solution for the agriculture industry, a yield monitoring system. Think of a yield map as an assessment of crops that will help farmers better understand their field and prepare for future harvests. These systems monitor crop variations during the harvest process. Light, humidity, temperature, soil moisture, and other sensors can be part of the system. As a result, enough data is gathered to give a greater view of the state of the soil. This technology empowers farmers to make better decisions based on the information collected through smart sensors.

A yield monitoring system enhances farm management decisions. For example, it is now possible to monitor the density of produce on a heat map to understand how well the crop performs instantly. It can also monitor the soil moisture and minerals, so farmers can make more factual decisions on when and how much pesticide to use. Another example is a live counting system of fruit, vegetable, or grain crops. This type of system collects statistical data with a GPS tag giving a detailed insight. Moreover, it helps farmers to maximise their return and mitigate risks, improving commercial outcomes.

The monitoring system’s integrated data allows the grower to gain a detailed insight to maximise their return and mitigate risks, improving commercial outcomes!

See how our ‘TallyOp’ Harvester allows farmers to optimise efficiency and boost yield performance to simplify and enhance farm management decisions.

With the monitoring and analytic capabilities, IoT is a desirable solution in all industries and domains.

In short, the Internet of Things lessens the burden on humans and enhances the control capabilities of processes. IoT has a wide spectrum of applications, from smart cars and homes to smart farming and factories. IoT has a bright future ahead. Especially with its capability to be integrated with other technologies such as cloud computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence for instance.

Can your business benefit from all the advantages of the Internet of Things?
Find out by shooting an email to info@corematic.com.au.