Internet of Things: Applications, Challenges, and Future Trends

Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionised our lives in many ways. Its current roles and applications in smart agriculture, smart homes, health care, environmental monitoring, industrial automation, transportation, and security/surveillance have positively enhanced the quality and comforts of our lives. Wireless communication plays a central role in ensuring the function of IoT. There are many challenges in developing the IoT. Inadequate key management, malicious attacks, unauthorised access, and device failure are security issues of concern. Power, especially off-grid power consumption, needs to be addressed. The high density of connected devices, limited bandwidth, and low data transmission can compromise the function of IoT. There is also the worry of a lack of trained workforce. Edge computing, Low-Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN), 5G networks, 6G networks, and mesh networks are advances that serve to enhance the capability of wireless communication. Future development of IoT in smart environment, health and wellness, agriculture sustainability, livestock management, and smart mobility in public transport are underway.