User:Keiron Williams

 IOT 

Device 1 – Amazon echo dot

Purpose: This device was created for the purpose of improving productivity and efficiency. The aspects that offer productivity and efficiency allow for features to be accessed in a very accessible and efficient method. The echo dot offers productivity by allowing the user to access the device anywhere within stated proximity to the speaker allowing verbal communication with the device and using it efficiently from different areas within the home. This device is created to allow accessibility to feature using different methods that help people that may have disabilities such as being in a wheelchair – having the echo dot would be very convenient in this case as it does not require movement, this can also apply to people with blindness. The echo dot is used as a personal assistant within a home offering many features.

Applications: This device would be used within a home for entertainment, retail, and even health. The device is stored with numerous features with a variety of applications. These include allowing the user to listen to music and listen to audio of books as well as making orders from stores such as amazon, make instant calls and listen to the news. Voice commands are used to access these applications and aid the features of echo dot. Any information that can be processed and delivered through sound is most likely included within this device.

Principles: The echo dot used voice command to allow the user to communicate with the device and request assistance. Radio waves are emitted by the device when sending and receiving information, this is due to the sound waves used. The echo dot connects to the network within a household, allowing information to be taken to follow out tasks requested by the user. The device when sent requests, stores this within the Alexa cloud service which is where the information is processed to retrieve and give the appropriate response.

Characteristics: the echo dot is prone to the risk of hackers connecting to the device, this would then allow the hackers to be able to hear everything within the household which can lead to many issues. The echo dot usually is always switched on within a household, allowing a 24/7 recording of sound which may contain very private information. In terms of privacy and ethicality, being a personal assistant, the device holds a lot of possible private data to offer a better experience but can also use the private data for marketing schemes form the company such as advertising. The data protection act is not upheld as well as necessary with this device making it less user friendly as data is exploited.

Echo dot does however come with a lot of beneficial aspects. The device offers an accessible option for those that may have disabilities such as blindness and movement disabilities. Using voice command offers a separate method to access many features that another device would. The echo dot also provides a speaker for music to be played through as well as audio books, news, etc.

Considering the technical aspects of the echo dot, the device offers low power consumption as there is no screen that consumes power and only a speaker, the device can be connected 24/7 and still consume very little power consumption due to its optimizable priority consumption feature. Whilst being connected 24/7, this also comes with monitoring 24/7 to allow the device to pick up when a user is requesting something at any time, this allows for immediate detection of a voice command. The device is very small and mobile allowing it to be plugged in anywhere although each time this happens, it will need to be connected to the network within that area.

Device 2 – Smart TV

Purpose: the purpose of a smart tv Is to provide the user with entertainment and allow for improvement in productivity. A smart tv is an accessible device allowing for the user to have access to many features that improve their productivity in receiving information efficiently. the device is used to access data and information through visuals and sound. the features offered within this device is to satisfy the user requirements around entertainment, allowing visual data and information to be passed through for the user to receive. The tv allows for voice command and to be controlled through a remote, giving alternatives to access.

Applications: applications are offered within a smart tv to offer the entertainment expected by the user. These applications allow for the user to watch movies/tv shows, the news, listen to music, watch YouTube videos etc. As a home device, the tv offers family entertainment that can be retrieved efficiently through the methods stated in the purpose.

Principles: A smart tv is controlled through the tv remote given with the tv. Depending on the product brand, the tv remote may also have a speaker providing voice command with the smart tv. These methods allow for navigation through the device to access the features given. Being a smart tv, it is also connected to the internet. This allows for access to data and information shared through the network, for the smart tv to work accordingly, this is crucial. The data and information are given to the user through speakers and a screen, the screen emits UV lights to allow for pictures to be formed through pixels. There is then the speaker which carries the radio waves to allow for sound to come from the tv when watching something or listening to something.

Characteristics: Using a smart TV could compromise your privacy. Smart TVs and content app providers frequently keep track of the viewing patterns to provide recommendations. When you log into Netflix, for example, the menu displays what you've recently viewed as well as updated recommendations for relevant movies or programmes based on the 'watched lately' list.

The main advantage of a smart TV is that it provides access to a variety of channels that provide TV shows, movies, and music without the need for a TV antenna or a cable/satellite subscription. Web browsing, gaming, and access to appropriate media files stored on your computer are all available on some smart TVs.

The tv is detects actions when inputs are made within the tv remote. This allows for actions to be done and tasks to be followed out, as said above, this can also be done using the microphones provided to have voice commands. A tv may consume a fair amount of power consumption due to the hardware however this can also be optimized within the settings to dim the lights and put less stress on the hardware.

Device 3 – GPS tracker

Purpose: GPS tracking involves the installation of a tracking device in a vehicle, on a piece of equipment, or on a person. This vehicle tracking gadget gives precise position information so that it can report on the exact location of a vehicle, equipment, or person. It also keeps track of a vehicle's, equipment's, or person's movements. A GPS tracking gadget, for example, can be used to find out where a truck is on its route, where a youngster is, or even where valuables are being carried.

Applications: The most frequent applications of GPS technology are mapping and surveying, getting directions, and keeping track of minors. However, there are also plenty of other applications people may not be aware of. GPS is used in a variety of applications, such as those used by the military and first responders, as well as commercial and personal usage. An example of where they would be used is for vehicle tracking. The gps would be used to monitor vehicles positions and the process of movement from one location to another, this included the distance and time that will be taken.

Principles: Special satellite signals are sent by GPS tracking systems, which are processed by a receiver. These GPS receivers keep track of the GPS device's actual location, as well as their time and velocity of travel. Four different types of GPS satellite signals can be used to compute and represent these positions in three-dimensional images. There are three parts to a GPS system: space, control, and user. Using real time recordings, the gps tracker will also show time and disruptions that may be close by within the proximity.

Characteristics: Installing a GPS vehicle tracker on your fleet's cars and assets improves security. A GPS tracker can help you find and reclaim your stolen or lost vehicle or asset faster if it is lost or damaged. You can even create a geofence around your vehicles and assets, which will notify you if they leave the pre-determined area or are used outside of business hours.

Not only does GPS fleet tracking software work for vehicles, but it also works for other assets. You can track the movements of expensive mobile equipment, such as generators and trailers, to ensure that they are on the job sites where they are needed and not sitting idle and underutilized. You'll have peace of mind knowing they're safe and sound. You may also create a geofence around work sites to keep track of who comes and goes on each one.

Without their awareness, GPS devices can be used to follow people. A device might be installed in an automobile, for example, to always track the victim’s whereabouts. This technique can be used for a variety of devious and illegal purposes, including stalking, burglary, kidnapping, and even murder. These tracking gadgets are becoming more affordable and accessible.

When there is a signal outage or you are using a battery-operated gadget that runs out of power, relying solely on GPS can pose complications (GPS devices are almost always power hungry). If you don't have a backup plan in place, such as traditional paper maps, it's easy to get lost and have no idea where to go.

Device 4 – Smart robotics

Purpose: Smart robotics are created to improve on productivity and efficiency. The purpose of these devices is to take over with tasks in replacement of humans and doing so more efficiently. With the issue of human errors when it comes to working in industries, the robotics are created to resolve this problem, being programmed to do specific tasks without issue. Robotics are created to serve humans with their companies and businesses by completing tasks within warehouses.

Applications: being used in industries, the robotics are used to perform tasks such as moving shipment, manufacturing products and many other labored tasks. Jobs that consist of doing physical work can be completed by these robotics. Specified tasks would be programmed allowing the robot to perform the action, whereas if this was moving a product from point A to point B, there would be code installed to allow the robot to do this and move that item accordingly without error if the code is correct.

Principles: These robotics are controlled through programming within a computer, languages are used such as C and C++. Code is created with these languages to set rules and tasks down for the robot to perform and act out. Sensors are implemented usually to allow for the robot to sense a product within its proximity so that it can detect where to interact with, pressure detectors may also be used for the same reason. These sensors would be on during the full extent of which there would be products being created or moved. Humans may communicate with the robotics through a remote or verbally depending on the robot, this would allow for the device to be turned on and off as well as stop and start, which would then follow on with the task being performed.

Characteristics: A risk of using robotics are that there is the issue of humans losing jobs due to being replaced by these robots, as robots can perform better than many humans, this has caused many organizations to invest in the devices instead of paying employees. Robotics also comes with the risk of coming across errors, damage and being hacked, these are all weaknesses that can affect the device which can then lead to a huge issue with money due to down time of the organization. Using these robotics as stated above is causing humans to lose their jobs. Considering ethicality, this is causing people to be unemployed which brings about many other issues to society.

In the area of legal considerations, there is the acts to consider such as data protection act, computer misuse act and health and safety act. Using robotics, it is important that these are not misused, being only used for the specified tasks. Health and safety are a huge factor to also take into account with robotics, these are heavy machinery, with any humans within close quarters of the robots, it is most important to provide safety to that person to prevent any injuries that could occur if something was to go wrong.

Risks aside, there are also many benefits that come with robotics and may even outweigh the risks. Some examples of this would be the efficiency that robotics provide, in comparison to humans, these devices can work consistent and quick without needing to stop for breaks, this is good for organizations when manufacturing and transporting. Robotics are also less prone to human errors considering the fact it is not a human. If the code is created perfectly there is very little chance that the robot would come across and issue without physical obstruction.

Using robotics within an organization does however take up a lot of power, this raises the cost of power consumption and the price it comes with. These devices are also huge, causing less mobility however this is usually not necessary when being worked within a warehouse. Robotics may usually operate 24/7 and is maintained by a human monitoring multiple of the robotics.

Comparisons

Compare the purpose, applications, principles and characteristics of IoT systems and/or services from different sectors.

Purpose: The IOT devices vary with their purposes. Amazon echo dot and the smart tv were both created for home purposes whereas the GPS tracker and smart robotics are made for transport and industries. In comparison between these devices, the echo dot Is different from a smart tv due to it only acting as a speaker, not including a screen. The Echo dot was created to serve as an assistant which is much different to a smart tv that is more of a tool for entertainment. Both devices are far different with their purposes from the transport and industry devices.

The purpose of these is to improve productivity. With the GPS tracker, this was created to track products during transportation, working along with smart robotics, these produce or manufacture these products that are then transported by someone possibly using a GPS tracker. The purposes of both devices work alongside one another, but their purposes are individual and very different. Both devices are controlled by humans is some way and are used within organizations for productivity and efficiency.

In comparison between the 4, the home devices (smart tv and echo dot) are used to provide entertainment to the user with numerous features to improve the user's quality of life in some way. The transport and industry devices also improve the quality of life but through productivity with large organizations and businesses, allowing for efficiency whether that is through getting from one destination to another or producing a product effortlessly.

Applications: considering the more detailed features within these devices, these are all completely different as each device has its own unique particular purpose. The applications within the home devices are more cloud based and user friendly. The smart tv offers features such as apps within the device for entertainment, as a home device the applications allow for communication, recordings, and overall entertainment features. The echo dot is similar in terms of also offering the user entertainment. However, the applications within the echo dot are used to offer more audio-based features. Being both home devices, echo dot is more for productivity to listen to news, music etc. Whereas the tv is more for a long consumption with entertainment through visual and audio aspects for watching movies and tv shows.

When it comes to the devices GPS tracker and smart robotics, the application aspects of these were more towards productivity features. The GPS allows the user to use features that pinpoint locations and show routes, made for transportation. Smart robotics on the other hand using applications to allow for commands to be entered to operate the robotics through a device such as the desktop. Both devices would be used within transportation and industrial. Using gps there may be application that allows for operation through an app within another smart device such as software’s within a mobile device, this applies for the same with smart robotics as these can also be operated through other smart devices using software.

Principles: Between the two home devices – the echo dot and smart tv, these both operate through the network and use a collection of software to allow for features to be accessed through user friendly communication. Although to access the software and navigate through the devices, the methods are very different. The smart tv uses remote controls to allow users to control the device and input commands allowing access to the features, very different from the echo dot, this uses voice commands, with no tools required, the device is operated and controlled by voice commands that have been installed and is constantly updated allowing the user to request activity from the echo dot. The way data is transferred between these devices is similar with some methods but also different with others. The smart tv allows data to be transferred through video and audio, where as the echo dot only transferred data through audio. Both devices are connected to the network allowing for real time features such as time, weather etc. to all be accurate when delivering.

With the gps and the smart robotics, the principles are very different from the above. The way a gps works is by connecting to satellites and the network allowing for a 1:1 scale of the planet to be rendered and distance measurements to be made. Smart robotics in comparison does not use satellites, although it uses the network and other smart devices to create and process code for commands to be inputted and outputted rendering actions from the smart robot. The difference in the methods of use and operation between the two is substantial as their uses are completely different.

The methods to control the different devices are completely different between the home and transportation/industry. Home devices are more user friendly for new users to install these devices within their home and get used to them quickly whereas the others are more complex are require training before using as they are used within job roles of organizations.

Characteristics: comparing the characteristics between the 4 devices, the home device qualities are very different from the transport and industrial devices.

Risks – between the smart tv and echo dot, these both include risks that are effective the usage. The smart tv comes with risks such as data loss, physical damage, and some health issues such as damage to eyesight. In comparison to the echo dot, the risks are similar as data can also be lost and the device can be damaged from physical encounters. Although data can be lost, this would be done through audio only or account details with amazon where as smart tv can cause data loss through details that were entered within the smart tv.

There is also risks with the transport and industrial devices, these devices have similar risks to one another but also some very different risks to what the home devices have. The gps has very minor risk in some sense, where as the gps reveals locations to the user, it can also reveal their location to others, this is a minor risk however is still classed as a risk. There is also the risk of the device being faulty and given wrong directions, to an organization, this can be a huge risk due to slowing down the process of jobs being fulfilled. Being faulty also applies to smart robotics, although they are flawless being efficiency and reduce human error risks, they can also come across issues with code and device damage which will then put manufacturing process to a pause affecting the business.The smart robotics in comparison to the other devices does consume a massive difference amount of power, this due to heavy movements and the machinery needing energy to provide ability to complete tasks.

Benefits – the devices also have very different benefits between each other. Starting with the home devices, these offer home improvements including productivity and efficiency. The smart tv have the benefit offering easy access to many features that allow for entertainment and education, this is also the same for the echo dot however the features are access differently. The echo dot allows for very little power consumption due to it being a small portable device that only uses audio, the hardware is very small and requires little power, in comparison to the smart tv however this is the opposite and requires a lot of power due to the Screen and audio. There is the benefit with the smart tv such as the multiple methods to input actions such as using the controller or speaker, the echo dot however only allows for access through speakers or app use through other devices.

The GPS offers the same type of benefits as the home devices such as productivity and efficiency however this is provided for more professional tasks. The device allows for long distance calculations and routes for the user to take, whereas the other device smart robotics offers more basic benefits such as completing human tasks without human errors. The smart robotics is also used in cases that would be too dangerous for a human to participate within. Between the two, the benefits are much different although both being unique in their own roles and provide help to the user.

Evaluation

Evaluate the purpose, applications, principles, and characteristics of IoT systems and/or services from different sectors.

Purpose:

Home – the purpose of the home device smart tv is to provide the user with entertainment, this entertainment is provided through multiple features such as live videos for the user to pick and watch on demand. The entertainment provided bypassing time with something entertaining and productive in some way. The purpose of the smart tv improves the capability of reaching many user needs efficiently and effectively. The next device is the echo dot. The purpose of this is to offer the user entertainment as well but through audio. With easy access and commands through speech, this is also an efficient method of gaining access to entertainment along with the other features within the echo dot. The echo dot was created as an advancement in technology providing already existing features using a different and more accessible method. These both provide efficient productivity accessing entertainment within a household.

Transport and industrial - The purpose of the GPS tracker is to be used within an organization or business to improve productivity for the roles of transporting. The gps is made to guide the user with a digital screen revealing a route to follow. This is very accessible and allows for a portable tool to be used within businesses for transportation. The gps allows for an easy method to track and measure routes for truckers and delivery drivers to transport from one location to another, however being digital would very likely come with some faulty aspects such as errors and data leakage. The smart robotics purpose is to be used to provide a replacement for human tasks and also to allow for capability of completing tasks that a human would not. These were also created to improve productivity and efficiency by creating a solution to allow manufacturing to be completed excluding human errors and other issues in general. Although the smart robotics are open to digital issues such as errors and miss unput by the user when commanding through a device.

Applications:

Home – the smart tv being a home device is used for entertainment. To provide this entertainment there are features within the smart tv allowing access to software and applications that create a bridge to the entertainment that the user seeks. With on demand access to this ability, it provided a more efficient opportunity for the users to fulfill their needs. Although this comes with a drawback of creating a lazy society by having everything offered without any need of moving, although this is a minor drawback. The applications within the smart tv vary from Netflix and YouTube, to live channels with music and news. Watchable content is offered through these apps, being efficiently accessible, this is very beneficial to improving the quality of life within a household. These all also apply to the echo dot in some way. The echo dot offers applications that provide features such as music, news, web information and the capability of making orders. These can all be done through voice command, by implementing these it allows for the users that may have disabilities to have an accessible option to these features the same way as everyone else. These features through applications gives the user different methods to access everyday tasks and hobbies, the content within both of the devices offers the user entertainment, education, and improves productivity and efficiency though reaching these features.

Transport and industrial - The Tracker gps is used to track and navigate the user through long distances, and this is done through a small device that offers a user-friendly interface. The application within the gps tracker improves the user’s ability to complete their tasks and fulfil their job role within an organization. When transporting, it is very important to know where you are going and how to get there, the applications within the gps allows for this. Although the benefits aside, the device also creates an issue of miss input and data process issues, the data entered can be faulted through human error or the device having an error, this can lead to a series of problems using the application due to being taken to the wrong location and wasting time. The next smart device is smart robotics, this offers applications to allow for input commands to be made, this is code within a software setting tasks for the robot. The application for the smart robotics usually is the software used to enter code within another device such as a pc. These applications are user friendly only to code experts that have used the software a lot and know what they are doing. The smart robotics allows for users to request tasks to be completed through code, although this requires knowledge and expertise in this area to allow for the user to understand what to do. Being able to request something from the smart robotics improve efficiency within manufacturing businesses, allowing tasks to be completed within an instant from a click of a button.

    

Principles:

Home – The echo dot uses a set of speakers and mics to allow for receiving and providing audio with a user. Communication takes place between the user and device, where requests are made and delivered. Being small and compact, the echo dot is plugged in anywhere within a households and the speakers used allow for a distant proximity so that the user can make commands from across the room. The data is collected from the command made which then improved the ability for the echo to respond better to it’s user, this means that the device learns from history and improves as time goes on. Although this raise a concern with data leakage and the extent of which the device hears within the house can be frightening. The echo dot only uses audio, this opens up the possibility of bugs and issues with voice commands, issues with the device being able to understand some of the commands depending on the users accent of disability that affects speech. The next device being the smart tv works by providing the user with a LED screen that produces pixel lights to the user to form images. This can slightly be an issue because of the uv rays and bad affect it has to humans eye sight, this usually applies only for people that use the device for a long period. There is also audio speakers within the tv that produces radio waves along with the lights which then go together to form a visual and audio features producing a movie or tv show. As a home device the way it is operated through a tv remote and voice command allows for different methods, providing good accessibility.

Transport and industrial - The smart robot observe its surroundings, adapts on them, then tasks through flexible adaptation. Sensors such as lidar, temperature, depth, proximity, and camera are used to sense the environment. In real time, the sensors interact with the environment and create the necessary data and reactions. The way this is operated is through another device which means it also requires knowledge int eh area of using coding and making inputs for the device. This can be very tough, and it is easy to make mistakes, although if a mistake was made during the process of making an input, this would affect the entire ability of the device and its capability for complete a task. GPS trackers use a network of satellites to establish their whereabouts. The tracker determines latitude, longitude, elevation, and time through coordinates, which uses the positions of three or more satellites from the Global Navigation Satellite System network and their distance from them. This means that the device is very reliant on the network and if this was some disruption with the connection, this can cause some issues with the device. Considering it is using the satellites, the device however must be very accurate, making it a really good tool for transportation roles.

       

Characteristics:

Home – the echo dot comes with a collection of risks and benefits that must be considered. This included the following: risks such as data leakage, data damage, hacking and device damage. These risks are not to be avoided as these can be huge factors for when installing a echo dot. These risks however may possibly be outweighed by the positives that I have collected, this includes the following: benefits such as accessibility options, efficiency, entertainment availability, collection of features, small and portable, low power consumption and there are many more. That is not to say the risks are to be avoided however they can be managed. There is many protocols and legislations to follow when using this device as there are several factors to take into consideration, these are all offered to the user making them aware of what can and cannot happen and what details will be used. This shows the transparency of the manufacturer however these are not always reliable depending on the company. The device can be plugged in 24/7 and use very little battery although this also opens the opportunity for hacking and people to listen in to private conversations. Onto the smart tv, there are also risks and benefits provided within this device that need to be evaluated. With the benefits, these are the following: number of applications to use to access entertainment and education, there is accessibility features allowing for different methods of operating the device, accessibility features within the device are also provided, connection to the internet is available. These benefits show the ability to which the device can provide many features to the user and offer a fun and efficient device for the home. Although the device like everything, comes with risks. These risks are the following: data leakage, low security, high power consumption, leads to some health issues, can be a bad influence etc. these risks are very common in many modern devices, this is due to the internet requirements that allow for major risks with data loss through this. The device is riddled with risks although the are uncommon in the case of happening and can be prevented with the correct solutions. The power consumption however cannot be avoided, this is a general risk that comes with a lot of devices with high end hardware.

Transport and industrial - The gps has risks such as these: security, distraction, power consumption issues and privacy issues. There are not many risks to using a GPS tracker however these risks are very crucial and can be very affective. Being a distraction, this can cause many accidents when travelling, this can be avoided however as the more updated GPS has voices and say out loud the route needed to be taken. The power consumption can be an issue if the device was to be low on battery within a long journey. The privacy issues and security, GPS does not have many security features meaning any data entered can possibly be stolen by an external hacker, although this is unlikely because there is not much important data necessary to be inputted within the device. There are more benefits to using a GPS, these are the following: safety, productivity improvement, theft recovery and the ability to locate and transport efficiently. considering safety and theft recovery, a gps tracker allows for companies and users to track the transport to make sure deliveries are going smoothly, as well as if the vehicle was stole, with a GPS tracker, this provided the ability to track the vehicle where the device is held and find the person who stole it. These are huge improvements within the transportation industry which is why GPS trackers are often used. Onto the smart robotics, the benefits of these include errors, miss input, power consumption, and safety risks. Being huge devices, these are prone to causing accidents within a workplace, there Is always the risk of the device collapsing or damaging to the point where hazards are created, this is usually avoided however by making sure the robotics work alone and are operated from a safe distance. With errors, being operated through a pc, there can be errors and miss inputs causing something to go wrong which can lead to disaster or putting production at a stop, this requires the user to be very experienced and understanding with how to avoid these situations. Then there are the benefits: very efficient, more capability, no human errors and replaces humans for dangerous jobs. With more capability, the device can complete various number of tasks that a human cannot, such as moving heavy stocks within a warehouse, this also improves health and safety as with more capabilities, the device can replace a human to complete dangerous tasks. Also, it removes the possibility of human errors, as the device only does what it is programmed to do.