According to statistical reports, there were 15.41 billion IoT devices connected in 2015, which has increased to 26.66 billion. It is expected to cross 75 billion by the year 2025. In the coming years, the scope and development of IoT will evolve which will drive more people and businesses to seek IoT product solutions. IoT strives mainly to connect remote devices for seamless functioning and to make operations easy. An IoT Development Platform does just that. They track different IoT applications remotely across the networks. Therefore managing the upgrades to test how the changes in the application can affect the hardware responses.
An IoT development platform consists of a set of components. They enable the developers to collect data remotely, secure the connectivity and execute sensor management. IoT development platforms fill up the gap between the device sensors and the data networks. They connect the sensor system to the data system. This system provides the information using the backend apps to make sense of the data given by the sensors. It helps in managing the connectivity of the devices and enables the developers to build new software applications. It connects the different components. Thus ensuring an uninterrupted flow of communication in between the devices.
Sensors for Machine Monitoring
Every machine has a service life that keeps deteriorating with time. By monitoring the operation status of a machine using a smart sensor, any anomaly in the machine can be detected in time. Consequently, fixing those anomalies to avoid machine failure.
In the past, machines were checked and maintained according to a planned schedule and even though this technique worked it was not the most efficient. If the maintenance was delayed or faults occurred in the machines after maintenance it would affect the whole production line. The easier way of doing this procedure is through IoT development platforms and smart sensors.
The IoT sensors are small in size, have added computing power, larger memory, enhanced networking capability, and storage space. Smart sensors collect all the data from the operation process of machines and record crucial parameters. Namely, temperature, noise, and vibration. After that, it predicts the optimal operating state and when maintenance is necessary. This method can avoid unnecessary wear and tear and can detect faults and their causes at an early stage.
Sensor Architecture in IoT Development Platform
Wireless-based sensor networks can be deployed whenever needed without the prerequisite of any infrastructure. Therefore making them the most popular wireless-based sensor. We can deploy the wireless sensor network randomly at any time. In other words, they are competent enough to be self-organizing. Wireless communication protocols allow communication between sensors and IoT Development Platforms. For instance, Wi-Fi, Zig Bee, Bluetooth, Near Frequency Communication(NFC), and LTE/ 4G Mobile technologies.
The majority of IoT sensor data includes real-time processing for industrial machines. It is necessary to process the information that the sensors collect. It will result in getting rid of the uncertainties for further data analysis, so as to enhance knowledge and decision making.
The data processing layer performs various tasks. That includes data noise cancellation, data outlier detection, missing data interpretation, and data aggregation. The data fusion layer manages the various challenges generated by the sensors. It aims to integrate true sensor data from heterogeneous IoT sensor devices. After that, the data analysis layer receives this combined data.
In recent years, emerging technologies have revolutionized cloud computing, fog computing, and edge computing towards IoT sensor data analysis. These technologies provide a reliable platform to handle IoT sensor data’s dynamic nature. The data analytic layer develops smart functionality to accommodate a wide variety of IoT-based applications.
The main objectives of IoT development platforms are to reduce computation and storage cost, enhance network transmission reliability, reduce the network delay, improve IoT network security and privacy, ensure scalability and enable risk-free and failure-free IoT solutions.
Advantages of IoT Development Platform in Manufacturing
Cost reduction: With the optimization in asset and inventory management, reduction in machine downtime, more agile operations, and more efficient energy usage, companies can reduce operational costs and create a new source for revenue.
Shorter time to market: Faster and more efficient manufacturing and supply chain operations allow a reduction in product cycle time.
Improved safety: IoT monitors industrial machines. Similarly, it is capable of monitoring the worker’s health. It can monitor the health state and risky activities that can lead to injuries.
Challenges of IoT Development Platform in Manufacturing
Large initial investment: IoT initially incurs several investment costs. For example, hardware, sensors, gateways, connectivity, cloud storage, administrative labor, and technical support.
Data security issues: In recent years with technological advancements, IoT is increasing the risks of cyberattacks. The increasing popularity of IoT raises the expected number of security threats.
Lack of qualified employees: A statistical report states that around 72% of businesses have a shortage of employees with the required experience. They lack skills such as analytics expertise. Additionally, they lack experience in embedded software development, embedded electronics, IT security, and artificial intelligence.
Conclusion:
IoT Development Platforms help the manufacturing industry to maximize production by maintaining production uptime, reducing costs, and eliminating the possibility of machine failure. Using IoT helps manufacturers get a better understanding of the manufacturing and supply chain processes, improve demand forecasting, achieve faster time to market, and enhance customer experience. All the advancements provided by IoT development platforms will definitely optimize the manufacturing process.
Alessandra Serpes is an engineering student currently pursuing Information and Technology Engineering. She is passionate about software development. She also enjoys baking and reading novels.
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