Robots, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are major drivers of digital transformation, giving the world a better way to live and conduct businesses.
The combination of these three technologies has the potential to change the shape of the working culture of businesses, industries, and economies. Separately, each technology has its own control over the system and is essential in modern users’ day-to-day activities.
People use these technologies to mimic intelligent behavior that can assist their complex work schedules. There is a never-ending list of use cases for AI, IoT, and robots in almost every aspect of our lives.
Whether it’s medical care and performing surgical operations precisely, manufacturing, or digital marketing, these modern technologies are everywhere.
The increase of COVID-19 has further accelerated the growth of Artificial Intelligence everywhere. Many industries, including transportation services, wanted to reduce their investment in technology.
According to Grand View Research, the annual growth rate of AI is around 38.1% from 2022 to 2030, whereas Mordor Intelligence says that the annual growth rate of Robots in industries is 17.45% from 2021 to 2026. The IoT market is ready to register a CAGR of 10.53% from 2022 to 2027.
Also, IoT and AI make a perfect pair and can be identified as AIoT, which means both can simultaneously do their job efficiently to provide the best customer experience. Your future is already smart; make it smarter with IoT, Robots, and AI.
What Are IoT, Robots, and AI?
What Is IoT?
IoT or the Internet of Things refers to the physical objects that are connected to the internet and share data with other devices. It contains sensors, software, processing abilities, and many other technologies. IoT devices connect and exchange data with various systems and devices over different communication networks.
IoT is the most used technology nowadays. Whether a kitchen appliance or security monitor, IoT allows you to connect objects to the networks through embedded devices. Now, communication between processes, people, and things is possible without any hindrance.
With less human interference, physical objects can share data and collect it through the cloud, mobile technologies, analytics, big data, cloud computing, and more.
Examples of IoT: Smart fire alarms, door locks, bicycles, medical sensors, fitness trackers, refrigerators, security systems, smartwatches, etc.
What Are Robots?
Any machine operated automatically to replace human effort is called a Robot. It can perform humanlike functions more precisely and according to the programs set inside its chip.
In simple words, a robot is an automatically operated machine capable of sensing the environment, making decisions via computations, and performing useful actions in the real world.
The field of robotics deals with engineering and operation, robot design, and many other tasks. Whether it’s 3D printing or cognitive computing and next-gen security, robots perform their tasks efficiently.
Robots also help surgeons in medical cases to perform surgery and stitching operations. Some robots are small as coins, and some are big as trucks or bigger than that.
Examples of robots: Robotic toys, robotic kits, Robot assistants, robot dog Aibo, robotic vacuum cleaners, etc.
What Is AI?
A replica of human intelligence inside the machines programmed by humans to think like real humans and perform human-like actions is called Artificial Intelligence or AI. In other words, a machine that works like a human mind to learn new things from the action, adapt the same, and solve problems according to the learning is referred to as AI.
Whether it is a simple task or complex, AI aims to learn, reason, and percept the data. It can easily mimic the task and execute it. It also includes concepts like Deep Learning and Machine Learning to adapt to new scenarios easily.
There are four types of Artificial Intelligence:
- Purely Reactive
- Limited Memory
- Theory of Mind
- Self Aware
Examples of AI: Self-driving cars, email spam filters, Robo advisors, Siri, Alexa, Netflix’s recommendations, Conversational bots, smart assistants, etc.
Why Do You Need IoT, Robots, and AI?
Let’s understand the reason why you need these modern technologies.
Benefits of IoT
IoT is an essential set of techniques used to enhance the data sharing capability and make lives easier. Below are some of the advantages of using IoT in the modern world.
More Useful Data, Better Decisions
Collecting a large volume of data is essential to improve a device’s performance. Many companies in this modern era feel the power of having IoT to get the information they need to market and enhance the use of IoT devices over the period.
For example, although you know a refrigerator can handle a food quality for some days, you do not know its power consumption, the average time to convert water to ice, temperature, etc. You can get these additional pieces of information by using IoT.
Monitor and Track Metrics
IoT has the ability to track the quality of objects at home. With Monitoring and tracking capability, a company can use these devices to gather more data in real-time and keep an update of every product they sell along with the time of service.
Lighten the Load with Automation
You will not feel heavy doing complex tasks. IoT devices will do the most of the work to save time and cost. Imagine a software solution that reminds you when you need to buy medicines.
Here, only with a bit of human intervention like setting up some things, data, time, etc., can IoT perform every action on its own. This way, it reduces human effort and allows you to focus on other necessary work.
Better Efficiency
As it can save humans valuable time, it also saves your money from unnecessary investments. For example, if a bulb acts as a smart bulb and automatically switches itself off when no one is in the room, you save electricity bills.
IoT devices provide many useful implementations and encourage machine-machine communication. This results in enhanced efficiency for both the company and the user. Not only this, but also you can save resources from being overused.
Quality of Life
After knowing all the advantages, it is pretty clear that an IoT device offers a better quality of life by enhancing the way we live and work. From tracking and ordering things and turning lights off to managing important tasks, IoT certainly reduces your stress, resulting in a better life.
Those who exercise daily can keep track of their heart rate, hydration, body temperature, etc., to stay in perfect shape and monitor their health on a regular basis. Taking care of everything at every moment is really difficult on these busy days, thanks to IoT devices that take care of certain things to make our life better.
Benefits of Robots
Robots are enhancing businesses and individuals’ lives. Some benefits of robots are:
Speed
Robots neither need breaks between work nor for vacations or leaves. It never feels sick or stressed, and neither requires any training program or meetings. They work efficiently throughout the assigned hours, which speeds up the production process.
Safety
While manufacturing a set of products via heavy machines, there are some risks of accidents. Robots take that risk as they can bear heavy temperatures and workloads. And even if something goes wrong, they won’t get hurt; we can repair them easily. Employees who work on dangerous platforms are now safe and save money from medical bills.
Perfection
Robots are programmed for repetitive and precise motion, and hence they are less likely to perform mistakes. Robots handle the work of an employee as well as a quality control inspector simultaneously. This way, a company saves its resources and time and produces many products a day.
Consistency
Robots work consistently as they do not have to be involved in any matter or many things. They do not have personal work to carry out and thus complete the assigned work within the stipulated time with perfection. Automation is far better and more reliable with robots than with manual means.
Job Creation
We all have the misconception that robots are taking employees’ positions, or you can say, taking your jobs away. This is not true; they only make our work easier and can sometimes employ more people. Companies need people to monitor and supervise the robots. Moreover, people are required to build robots too.
Productivity
Productivity is always a major concern in this growing world. Robots help in manufacturing products and carry out tasks to perform well in the market. They talk to customers, answer social media comments, assist in marketing and branding, answer emails, and sell products.
Benefits of AI
AI is the substitute for human intelligence and is very crucial in today’s day-to-day life. It has simplified our lives. Some of the benefits of AI are:
Enhanced Automation
Many industries or companies use AI to automate their workflows that involve tough work if done manually. And using AI systems, businesses reduce efforts, accelerate their processes, and save time. You will find various applications and websites that use AI to offer these benefits. This way, tasks can be completed without any human intervention.
Time Saver
Performing the same tasks again and again is tedious and time-consuming. With AI for routine and tiresome tasks, you can save time and focus on other essential work. Customers can easily get their things without waiting in line at physical stores, and companies save their time by offering quality services efficiently.
Easily Handle Complex Problems
AI uses advanced Machine Learning concepts like Deep Learning to solve complex problems, such as medical diagnosis, fraud detection, managing complex tasks, weather forecasting, etc.
For example, PayPal uses AI to detect fraud by tracking customers’ purchasing history to review patterns. Advanced AI algorithms can tell whether a particular transaction is fake or not.
Enhanced Productivity
AI systems are useful tools that help businesses provide better services across the globe. From small businesses to big enterprises, every company nowadays uses Artificial Intelligence in some form to manage high-risk and time-consuming tasks and increase productivity.
AI bot uses Machine Learning concepts like Natural Language Processing and Deep Learning to analyze legal documents, fix legal errors, and collaborate with skilled legal professionals to clarify terms by providing AI-based scoring and a lot more.
Making Life Easier
Everyone loves technology, and AI systems have become one of the favorite technologies for all, from businesses to individuals. It makes everyone’s life simpler and easier by automating and accelerating tasks. For example, everyone in today’s generation uses AI-based virtual assistants, such as Alexa, Cortana, Siri, etc., to interact with various devices.
Applications of IoT, Robots, and AI
Now that we know what IoT, Robots, and AI are, let’s understand their actual uses in our lives.
IoT in Security
Security is obviously a major concern, and for that, the various businesses provide a wide set of IoT devices. You can find multiple IoT devices, such as smoke detectors, access control panels, video surveillance cameras, gas sensors, security cameras, vehicle trackers, and a lot more.
This is not it. Consumers use smart door locks to secure their homes from thieves, controlled by smartwatches, smartphones, and smart home appliances. The government uses IoT technology to track wildlife security, monitor badly affected traffic, natural disaster alerts, and so on.
AI and IoT in Data Prediction
Data prediction is vital for every sector. By predicting data, AI applications can enable IoT to avoid downtime, enhance operating efficiency, increase risk management, and spawn new services.
Data prediction, on the other hand, means prioritizing risks. Putting AI and IoT in a single container identifies the threat effectively, allowing you to spot malware on any network, detect intrusions, and guide response. This way, you can make better business decisions in real-time without compromising security.
Autonomous Robots for Small Tasks
Autonomous Robots are equipped with various sensors, thermal imaging software, multiple capabilities, and so on. These items are being used to save law enforcement agents as well as victims. Using autonomous robots will offer three major benefits – error reduction, enhancement of productivity and efficiency, and improvement of safety standards for employees.
AI robots are commonly used to fight crimes across the globe with little human intervention. Police robots are made to arrest, stop, and handle other intense situations in dangerous times. From clearing debris to surveillance and detonating bombs to accident scenes, autonomous robots are widely used to fight crime.
Examples: Lawn trimming bots, Hospitality Bots, autonomous drones, cleaning bots, robots in manufacturing, etc.
Data Tracking and Management
IoT creates valuable data and insights that can be tracked and managed accordingly.
For example, in the case of an inventory management system, all the items carry an RFID tag, so tracking each item will be easy. You can track every item from your laptop or smartphone in real-time.
Artificial Intelligence is used to enable autonomous trucks to sense the location and objects around them to drive with appropriate speed and direction.
For example, Tesla’s Semi and Uber’s self-driving car uses tracking and management technology to drive safely on any road.
Customer Experience
IoT devices help in communicating issues with the support team automatically, so engineers or experts can resolve the problems faster.
For example, various AI-based applications use chatbots that can communicate with your customers regarding their problems and try to solve them on their own to enhance user experience.
Another example is a smart refrigerator. Suppose the fridge in your home is unable to cool the contents inside it. To know and resolve issues, you do not need to call any technician; a small hole in the top corner acts like a robot. Call customer service and put the phone speaker near that hole. You will get the result sooner without waiting hours for them to arrive, and you can fix it yourself.
Automation
The need for automation is skyrocketing for every company to make the jobs faster and simpler. It will help enhance decision-making capability and streamline your workflows. Automating repetitive tasks will help save time and focus on the essential parts. There are basically three components of automation:
- AI, which uses complex algorithms and machine learning concepts to analyze the data and helps businesses develop accurate predictions.
- Business workflow automation obviously automates the workflow to provide a clear picture of consistency.
- Robotic process automation, which uses bots to complete various tasks, such as filling out forms, extracting data, etc.
Examples: Software robots, data cleaning scripts, smart home notifications, self-driving vehicles, IVR, etc.
Connectivity Quality Control
Every business aims to deliver quality products and services as customer satisfaction is vital. To achieve this goal, you must embrace AI and IoT-based solutions. Quality comes after manufacturing, and during the inspection phase, maximum items get rejected due to dimensions issues.
To avoid such errors, industries come with robotics technology to manufacture the items in order to maintain accuracy and quality. This way, you can detect the defects easily, improve the products, and save money.
Example: Furniture manufacturer Ikea manufactures boards automatically to enhance product quality. It also performs automatic lamination to avoid any voids.
Smart Homes
Smart homes consist of smart appliances. In simple terms, a simple household setup where a device or an appliance can be controlled automatically from anywhere through an internet connection.
Smart homes have self-adapting skills so that they can learn the owner’s schedule and make adjustments accordingly. It can save electricity by controlling the functioning of lights, AC, and fans. Smart homes also include a security alarm that can alert you immediately about the motion via quick notifications.
Examples: Smart doorbells, smart security systems, motion sensor lights and fans, smart appliances like chimneys, etc.
Smart Industries
Industrial transformation or industry 4.0 can be referred to as smart industries. In other words, it is the practice of using smart and automated machines in industries to make work easier. Smart IoT solutions use true insights from the sensors to enhance efficiency by reducing human intervention and costs.
Switching to a smart industry will offer many advantages, such as better quality of product, less operational costs, more insights, higher employee and customer satisfaction, minimal resource damage, etc.
Example: Connected logistics, smart education, smart buildings, smart mining, grid management, smart transportation, etc.
What Is the Future of IoT, Robots, and AI?
IoT, Robots, and AI are growing rapidly in almost every sector. In today’s ecosystem, these three technologies play a significant role in shaping business processes and lifestyles.
Data is the fuel for every industry to run. IoT, robots, and AI work differently to track the metrics and data, manage it, and gain useful insights. It will help you produce better services and products for your customers, enhance their experience, and encourage them to come back again and again for more. Apart from businesses, these technologies help individuals and homes to make lives better.
In the upcoming years, it is expected that the use of IoT, AI, and robots will further increase and provide more benefits to individuals and businesses.
You may look at some of the popular Robotic Process Automation tools.