2. INTRODUCTION
CIoT is short for “Consumer Internet of Things”. CIoT is essentially IoT sensors, hardware, and
software used for consumer-oriented purposes that make consumers’ lives easier and simpler.
CIoT is an application of IoT where a consumer personally uses an interconnected system of
physical and digital objects. These interconnected smart devices are given unique identifiers (UIDs)
to recognise and access them for various purposes.
CIoT covers all the user’s networks around their personal and home devices. These devices are
equipped with various wireless technologies and microcontrollers that make it simpler to share
consumer data without any individual’s direct intervention with each other or the computer.
These devices use edge computing technologies and are also integrated with standards and
protocols that offer security performance and reliability. As a result, it saves power and improves
scalability by crunching data instantaneously.
WHAT IS CIOT?
3. INTRODUCTION
CIoT works very similarly to regular IoT. Various sensors collect information, and this data needs to
be sent to the cloud for processing. But for the sensors to communicate or send data to the cloud,
they need a protocol, AKA connectivity. It is also this connection that lets the other devices
communicate with each other and work coherently.
Once we have the connection, the sensors send the analysing data to the cloud for processing this
data into digital form. Why a digital form? The data needs to be converted to digital form so that
machines can understand and perform tasks based on it.
The final stage or component of the working of IoT is the UI, where the user gets to control set
automation or schedules, where a pre-programmed task is triggered when all the parameters are
met. This UI is mainly an app. However, UI can also be used to show the user hard number in the
form of charts.
If you want to know more or get an even more detailed understanding of how IoT works, you can
read my article on the working of IoT, where I have explained all four components that make up an
IoT ecosystem in detail.
HOW DOES CIOT WORK?
4. INTRODUCTION
CIoT devices are being integrated into our daily routine as consumers benefit from IoT systems in
many ways. These devices are increasing efficiency and ease of use with fast-growing computing
capabilities.
CIoT optimises data and also enables machine-to-machine communications as these devices use
edge computing technologies. These devices have built-in sensors, Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, GPS, and
an internet connection.
The employed IoT devices cover the interconnected mechanical and digital systems and can collect
and share data with the help of sensors. We also have IoT systems or software that help you
manage all of your consumer IoT apps and devices.
WHAT ARE CIOT DEVICES?
5. INTRODUCTION
Consumer IoT is classified into two types, they are:
1. Personal IoT:
IoT devices used for personal use, such as watches and phones, come under the personal category
of consumer IoT. These devices include smart watches, wearables, smartphones, etc. Let us look at
some more examples:
a. Smart Watch: Apple Watch, Fitbit.
b. Battery power: Donor Cable bracelets by NAR Mobile.
c. Hearable: AirPods, Google Pixel Buds.
d. Smar galssest: Dropcam from Google, Vuzix Smart Glasses.
e. Smart clothing: Ralph Lauren smart t-shirt, Arrow Smart Shirt
TYPES OF CIOT
6. INTRODUCTION
2. Smart Home IoT
It includes home appliances operating under an IoT ecosystem. The devices in a smart home have
access to the internet, sense the environment around them and retrieve data from devices
simultaneously. Some examples of smart home IoT include:
a. Voice Assistance: Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, Bixby, Cortana.
b. Lighting fixtures: Philips Hue Smart Bulbs, LIFX, L8 SmartLight
c. Family Entertainment: Keepon social robot, Kuri home robot.
d. Security: Nortek Security, Bitdefender BOX, ring doorbell.
e. Smart Energy Savings: Ambi Climate, Neurio, iDevices Switch
f. Smart Kitchen Gadgets: iGrill Smart Grill, Samsung Family Hub.
TYPES OF CIOT
7. INTRODUCTION
Millions of companies are trying to develop new ideas and devices with the growing demand for IoT
devices in the consumer sector. There is so much demand for CIoT that the market is estimated to
reach USD 153.80 Billion by 2026.
It is why multiple companies pair IoT with various other technologies like big data, machine learning,
5G, deep learning cloud, and edge computing. In short, the ongoing competition is fierce.
Customer trends inspire the trends of CIoT as the consumer sets an example with every step
because of its extensive usage and capabilities. As a result, the CIoT market is widely popular in the
following domains.
a. Asset tracking
b. Games and Entertainment
c. Health monitoring
d. Home security
e. Parental tracking
f. Quick Panic Buttons
Since we are on the topic of domains and applications of CIoT, we might as well look into it.
THE FUTURE OF CIOT
8. INTRODUCTION
Now, this is a worthy question! IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) and CIoT (Consumer Internet Of
Things)are both applications of IoT. Again the technology they share is very similar to regular IoT.
The only difference between them is the domain and use case scenarios they are used in. As we
discussed above, CIoT is inclined toward consumer lifestyle.
But IIoT, on the other hand, is used solely in the industrial sector, connecting machines and devices
in such industries as oil and gas, utilities, and manufacturing. Moreover, IIoT primarily focuses on
improving efficiency and health or safety, in contrast to the user-centric nature of IoT applications.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
CIOT AND IIOT?
9. INTRODUCTION
As you have seen, CIoT is simply an application of IoT that is consumer-oriented and makes
the lives of consumers easier and simpler. You have now learned what CIoT is, how it works,
CIoT devices, its types, applications of CIoT, and the future and market of IoT. We finally
concluded by discussing the difference between IoT, CIoT, and IIoT.
SUMMARY