During the pandemic and subsequently IoT has shown that it can be very effective in the healthcare system. Still, many experts note that it can be helpful in other industries, such as environmental protection.
This issue is very acute today, especially in developed countries who pay a lot of attention to the environment not only on their territory but also beyond, for example, in countries that themselves cannot take care of it.
So there are more and more IoTs that help control the quality of air, water, and other indicators.
What is IoT?
Many people know IoT stands for Internet of Things, but only some understand how it can be used. The most common type is smart watches; they can show the time, count steps and kilometers traveled, measure the pulse, and even pay for purchases in the store.
It is a sensor that transmits data to a central computer or smartphone via the Internet.
Based on the fact that the IoT is based on a sensor, it becomes clear that this can be used in healthcare and many other industries. Today we want to discuss in more detail how this can help protect the environment.
How can IoT affect the environment?
Practice shows that IoT can be very actively used in environmental protection. We want to look at a few examples so you can see them yourself.
icon-angle-right Air quality sensors
In large metropolitan areas, air quality leaves much to be desired due to the work of large enterprises and many cars.
If air quality sensors are installed around the city, you can instantly assess where the emission of harmful substances has occurred and can quickly eliminate it.
Today, there are already smart traffic lights that calculate the duration of the red and green colors depending on traffic congestion. A car has been proven to emit more carbon dioxide when standing still with the engine running.
So, reducing the time spent in traffic jams can improve the air quality in the city. Thus, a smart traffic light solves 2 problems at once – traffic jams and improved air quality.
icon-angle-right Water quality sensors
Many enterprises and city sewers dump sewage into rivers, seas, and oceans. By all standards, such waters must first be purified not to harm the environment.
Today, some sensors analyze the quality of water in real-time, which allows you to quickly identify the breakdown of treatment facilities or the unauthorized release of chemicals into the reservoir by intruders.
icon-angle-right Smart trash cans
Another useful IoT is smart trash cans. The garbage problems in large cities are quite acute, and such technologies can simplify the solution to this problem.
When the tank is complete, the central computer receives a signal and schedules the garbage collection and route, taking into account the fullness of the tanks.
It allows not only to maintain cleanliness in the city and avoid spontaneous dumps but also to simplify the work of utilities and reduce fuel costs.
icon-angle-right Corruption of resource consumption
Technologies such as smart home can significantly reduce the consumption of electricity, water, and heat. So, for example, if you left and left the light on, you can turn it off using your smartphone.
Heat the house only if you spend all day at work. You can turn off the heating when leaving and turn it on via your smartphone one hour before arrival. In this case, you will save a lot of money and come to a warm and comfortable home.
icon-angle-right Precision farming
IoT will help agriculture to conduct its activities more environmentally. For example, today, some systems analyze the condition of the soil and automatically select the amount and type of fertilizer. Thus, you will only oversaturate the soil with the needed components.
In addition, such technologies allow for assessing precipitation quality and optimizing irrigation. Research shows that about 90% of the world’s freshwater consumption comes from agriculture, so optimizing irrigation can prevent severe water shortages.
But acquiring such a sensor is far from everything. It should be tested in an appropriate environment and any bugs found should be corrected beforehand. Inaccurate sensor information can lead to unpredictable consequences.
TestFort is engaged in software testing for IoT. Specialists check the operation of all systems and help identify weaknesses and strengths so that you get a high-quality product.
icon-angle-right Forest protection
Deforestation is another factor that destroys the environment. If you want to prevent illegal logging, you can also use IoT. So, you can install fire or smoke detectors, motion sensors or launch drones, which will patrol the area.
Another problem is fires. If a fire is detected early, it will be much easier to put out the fire, so temperature sensors and drones will be appropriate here.
Companies that protect forests and control fires with the help of IoT in the global market and on international stock exchanges receive huge budgets and their capitalization is growing rapidly.
icon-angle-right Protection of endangered animals
Today, many animals are on the verge of extinction due to human activities, so our task is to take care of them.
Many animal protection companies that track the population of large animals in an effort to help such animals, can install special sensors on them to track activity and general body condition.
In addition, you can use motion sensors to detect poachers, or you can also use drones to track suspicious activity.
In the end
The Internet of Things can only be practical if you have done thorough functional testing techniques together with other testing services.
It is necessary to ensure all sensors are measuring correctly and the information flows in real-time. The better you study the operation of such software, the better results you can get.
Also, don’t forget that the future of IoT has already come and today almost any household item in your home can be connected to the network and receive remote control from your smartphone.
Don’t take technology for granted if you do not take care of the security of your devices – this can become a negative experience in your life.