Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1442841
Christina Unarut, Mouser Electronics 3 / DESIGNING A SMARTER FUTURE: Creating IoT-enabled Products to Change the World W hen we envision a smarter future, we consider smart speakers that play tunes in accordance with our moods, and smart bulbs that paint the room, foreshadowing the weather for the day to come. These friendly reminders signal the start of a new day, new possibilities, and new projects just waiting to be created. Engineering a future filled with Smart Homes, Smart Cities, Smart Manufacturing, and Smart Agriculture is not only possible—but inevitable. However, "smart" applications are not just the self-serving, cool tech, futuristic functionalities that have become synonymous with the term. The technology behind our smarter future already exists, and its applications will go beyond the niceties of our day-to- day lives; they will transform the way our society operates. For starters, using IoT to add intelligence and visibility to our commerce networks and supply chains will enable businesses and governments to improve efficiency and reduce waste. Many of the same tools will enable buildings to dramatically reduce their energy and water consumption while making their occupants more comfortable. Likewise, Smart Cities will be able to manage their infrastructure (electricity, water, sewage, and lighting) more effectively, and perhaps even improve the flow of traffic within their congested streets. With each of these applications, as well as a myriad of others, we're presented with an opportunity to design, manufacture, and sell products that never existed before—products that will improve the lives of countless users. So, when we say "smarts" can change the world, we mean it. Making Food Production More Efficient and Long-Lasting Imagine applying smart technology to address one of mankind's greatest needs: The ability to cultivate a more efficient and long-long-lasting food supply to sustain our growing population Humidity, temperature, CO2, and pH sensors, along with IoT capabilities, provide engineers with the ability to give society more efficient ways to cultivate crops and provide longstanding nourishment. Beyond this, vertical farming, and the inclusion of smart lighting, paves the way for local farming in urban environments, appealing to the need for the world to revamp its agricultural system over the next few decades in order to meet growing demand. There are simple mechanisms to add this form of automation to systems these days. Better yet, advancements in these fields have managed to do this at a lower cost than ever before. Remaining Vigilant and Secure in a Connected Future As with any transformation, for all its promise, the road to an IoT-enabled future also poses some new and significant challenges to those who travel it. Since many IoT applications involve mission- critical infrastructure elements, they must be highly secure, highly resilient, and highly resistant to cyber-hacking. Hands-on solutions exist so that you can prototype IoT applications and securely connect to the cloud. Your Smart Doorbell Rings Your Mouser package has arrived, and the newest Microchip Technology products are inside. So, what are you waiting for? Step inside to learn more about the IoT and get hands-on with Microchip Technology products and step-by-step project guides so you can change the world, too. Christina Unarut, Mouser Electronics Christina Unarut is a technical marketing engineer with Mouser Electronics. She joined the company after graduating with her bachelor's in electrical engineering. Today, she provides engineers with the latest information on products and emerging technology through various YouTube videos and e-Books at Mouser. Foreword