Internet of things basically refers to a network of interconnected devices, each with their own IP adress, which can be easily controlled by a user without any manual work on their part. In the context of home automation, it means to control devices such as switchboards, electronic appliances like ACs, fridges etc. by pushing some buttons or calling out some commands! This makes it very easy for people to regulate power usage and perform a whole bunch of other functions very easily.

The above article discusses a smart home plan which uses an Arduino ethernet based web server and an application to control the server. The Arduino is a microcontroller which functions like a cpu and processes input from sensors and performs some function accordingly. This particular system can only be accessed after voice recognition so in this case the microcontroller processes the frequency variations in the voice to identify the user.

The application provides a graphical user interface which as the name suggests is a platform through which home settings can be managed. Using this you can change the temperature of the room or reduce the brightness of lights or even change the sprinkler settings without ever having to move around.

To access the home system from anywhere using IoT, a web service called REST ful is used. It is needed for efficient communication between the server and app. Based on the input the microcontroller receives from the GUI, it produces appropriate response codes so that if the input is not right like in the case of a password entry, it will send an error message and reinitialize its settings for receiving another input.

This system was even designed and tested. The above article shows successful communication and processing of information by the microcontroller and also the manner in which it does it to perform particular tasks.

IoT, Internet of Things, has put up Process, People, Data and Devices together which has given us the ability to create the exponential responses to the exceptional challenges that individuals, businesses and countries face today. Hence the need of IoT has become more relevant than ever. NEST (Thermostat), Korner (Home Security) are examples of applications and devices that are currently in market that implements the concept of Internet of Things. 

Arduino and Raspberry Pi are two of the most used embedded platforms for IoT smart devices. Arduino is an open-source prototyping platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It is a capable little device that enables people of all ages to explore computing, and to learn how to program in languages.

In conclusion, the Internet of Things is already here and in use today. IoT capabilities can be added to just about any physical object including clothing, jewelry, thermostats, medical devices, household appliances, home automation, industrial controls, even light bulbs to get the best out of each and everything around us.

Well, because human beings always look for the easiest way to accomplish any task. Practically anything can be done with minimal effort using IOT technology because a computer is doing all the work for you.

Nest is a company which currently is the leading producer of home automation software and hardware like programmable, wifi enabled security systems, smoke detectors etc.

Smart homes can function successfully when several, different types of devices are connected to the internet. This, as of now can be expensive. However, the benefits gained from highly efficient energy consumption outweigh this. Also as more homes become 'smart', prices will naturally tend to fall.

I found my article about home automation in an online repository of research papers known as arXiv. I also found some more useful information concerning my topic online in other websites, youtube videos, pdfs etc. whose links are given on the right.

http://www.control4.com/blog/2014/01/the-internet-of-things-and-home-automation

https://www.irjet.net/archives/V2/i3/Irjet-v2i3317.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cauCFgOUzw

https://nest.com/

http://www.networkworld.com/article/2874914/internet-of-things/what-is-home-automation-and-how-do-i-get-started.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_automation

http://home.howstuffworks.com/smart-home.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaTIt1C5R-M

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_Things

http://www.internet-of-things.eu/

www.internet-of-things-research.eu/pdf/Converging_Technologies_for_Smart_Environments_and_Integrated_Ecosystems_IERC_Book_Open_Access_2013.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQzBpUdHvi4

http://www.slideshare.net/PasqualePuzio/internet-of-things-and-its-applications

2. Is the Internet of Things here to stay?

a) Yes b) No c) Maybe

3. How comfortable are you with IoT? a) Totally comfortable b) Not comfortable  

c) Comfortable to an extent

4. Does Internet of Things has any risk associated with it? a) Yes, what? b) No

4. Will IoT actually work over the internet or will it have its own dedicated wide area network?

a) over the Internet b) Wide Area Network

INTEROPERABLE- able to exchange and make use of information.

CARBON FOOTPRINT- the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community.

EMBEDDED SYSTEM- Computer systeith a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system, often with real-time computing constraints

This questionnaire can be taken by anyone.

1) Do you find the internet of things fascinating?

• very fascinating
• pretty interesting
• don't get what all the hype's about
  

2) Do you think a large scale usage of the IOT is possible in the future?

• No, not really
• Yes, most definitely
• Depends on how it plays out

3) Do you think we really need the internet of things?

• Yes
• No; things are fine as they stand and we should focus on solving other problems
• Not sure

4) Would you be open to the idea of making 'smart' changes to your home at some point in the future?

• Yes, I am a huge fan of it and can't wait to try it out
• No
• Depends on the affordability

• MICROCONTROLLER - a very small computer which can be programmed to carry out specific tasks
• INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT - an application package which provides facilities for designing software
• WEB SERVER - a computer that runs a website and delivers webpages to the user through HTTP.
• COMMAND PACKET - a set of instructions communicated by the user to the web server via the smart home application.

The beauty of IOT technology is that most of it isn't very specialised in the sense that they can be used in many different places to cater to differnt needs.

Another example is the use of similar technology designed using complex algorithms described by mathematical equations to, in one case, administer the right dosage of medicine to a bed ridden patient regularly and efficiently eliminating th need for a nurse and in another case, to vary the relative amount of chemicals in a chemical reactor eliminating the need for people who perform that very task before.