IoT Market Trends + How An IoT App Works

When we hear the word “IoT”, we usually visualize smart connected devices and appliances that make everyday life easier. We think of smart homes, smart cars, wearables, and voice assistants, that have changed the way we live, work, and function. But IoT also has a massive industrial impact, as it automates sectors like construction, manufacturing, oil & gas, medicine, finance, etc. IoT makes it possible to simultaneously control various things located in different geographical locations, transcending the bounds of distance and time. This global infrastructure makes it possible to independently communicate and perform activities without the need for human interference. IoT’s increasing popularity and promising potential has fueled its rapid development such that by 2025 the market is projected to house up to 28 billion IoT devices that are connected to the Internet. Even businesses and mobile app developers in Kuwait who wish to take advantage of IoT’s growing market, must stay updated on the most recent technological advancements like cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

IoT market trends

In the last blog, we gave an introduction to IoT and its main components. Let’s start this blog by summarizing the various IoT market trends that have penetrated so many industries.

• AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine Learning - Machine learning is a subset of AI that helps analyze massive volumes of IoT data using sophisticated algorithms. IoT and Machine learning together can facilitate rapid, automated responses and improved decision-making. For example, an organization, with the help of top software companies in Kuwait, can use machine learning to automate quality inspection on its assembly line and predict consumption and demand patterns, increasing productivity and cutting costs.
• Blockchain - Blockchain technology secures communication between mobile devices, hardware devices, and sensors. It can also be used to secure data and transactions. Blockchain’s decentralized model improves efficiency, security, and data integrity.
• Edge computing - Currently, IoT devices send small packets of data back to a data management platform that runs analytics. In the future, when the number of IoT devices increases, this may produce a significant strain on the operator’s backhaul network. Edge computing can enable processing and filtering of IoT generated data such that only data needed for long-term storage and analysis is streamed to a centralized management platform. In this way, edge computing lowers data congestion and boosts productivity.
• 5G Network - 5G Networks enable quicker and more reliable IoT device connectivity. They can support IoT use cases that need continuous high-speed communication or rely on fast data analysis and decision-making. So, more complex and advanced applications, like remote surgery robots and self-driving cars become a possibility.

How does an IoT app work?

In the previous blog, we had mentioned that IoT apps are developed in order to communicate with and control IoT devices that can connect to the internet. How exactly does app development in Kuwait facilitate that?

1. Data collection

   There are three types of data collection. Equipment data concerns the status of the IoT devices and is collected in real-time to faclitate predictive maintenance. Submeter data is usually collected in buildings with multiple tenants using resources like water and electricity, where property owners can automate the measurement of individual utility usage, cutting measurement costs and improving billing efficiency. When collecting environmental data, IoT sensors can measure and monitor humidity, temperature, movement, air quality, etc., which can serve as a basis for avoiding calamities like floods and air toxicity. With any kind of data collection, IoT devices gather and transmit data to the IoT app, through the internet.

2. Data processing

   The purpose of data processing is to convert raw data into something useful, and something the end user can react to. Once data is processed, it is called information. The first stage of the data processing cycle is the input stage, wherein the collected data is converted into a maching-readable form in order for the computer to be able to process it. Once this raw data reaches the processing stage, the computer transforms it into information. It does this by employing various algorithms, machine learning models, and other strategies to either classify, sort, or calculate the input data. In the final output stage, the processed data is converted into a human-readable form and is presented to the user as useful information. Stored information can be used as input again for further processing.

3. User interface (UI)

   Information is delivered to the end user via a User Interface. A UI usually consists of features like screens, pages, buttons, and icons, that allow a user to interact with a computer system. Examples of UIs are software and applications (mobile or desktop). (Check out our blog on the difference between UI and UX, terms that are often used interchangeably). Depending on the kind of device the person is using, the IoT app presents the user with the information in an intuitive manner. It’s best to hire a mobile app developer that can create user-friendly and mobile responsive applications.

4. User input

   There are several ways in which a user can interact with an IoT device. The most usual case is when a user receives a notification or alert (through email, SMS, phone call, push notification, etc.) when something unusual happens, like if a manufacturing machine’s temperature exceeds a threshhold limit. Users might also wish to proactively monitor information. For instance, someone with an asset tracking solution that keeps track of vehicles, might want to periodically monitor the vehicles’ locations through the app, even if nothing unusual happens. Finally, the UI could also allow the user to control the IoT system remotely, like setting a temperature, turning off a light, etc.

5. Device control

   Based on the user’s given input, the IoT app instructs the IoT devices to complete certain actions. Mobile apps are one of the most common and user-friendly ways to control IoT devices. So, it’s important to design a good one with the help of app developers in Kuwait. Whenever a user wishes to perform an action, like turn on a light, the IoT app instructs the lamp to turn on.

6. Data storage

   The IoT app may store the processed data in a database, either in real-time or in batches, for future analysis and reference. IoT data storage can be optimized by common storage options like cloud storage, edge storage, and hybrid storage. Your chosen storage system should reflect and accommodate the volume and speed at which the IoT data reaches the server. The frequency of data collection should also be taken into account. For example, a business will want to monitor its security issues in real-time in order to take proactive actions, increasing the frequency of data collection, and requiring a high-performance solution.

Developing an IoT app demands a solid strategy that acknowledges your business’s objectives and your users needs. It requires choosing an appropriate IoT platform and programming language, and creating a user-friendly interface. Building a successful IoT app is a multidisciplinary approach that requies hardware, software, and UX design experience. If you’ve never worked with this niche of apps yourself, it can be a lot to take in, so our team of mobile app developers in Kuwait is happy to consult you on architecture, hardware selection, tech stack, cloud services, security, and other components of an IoT application.

Contact Design Master today to harness the power to change people’s lives and revolutionize industries and business processes.