What are some common IoT use cases?

While there are some common IoT use cases to consider, this list is getting bigger all the time. People are constantly coming up with exciting new ways to use the IoT to solve problems, and I think we are just scratching the surface of its full potential. Nevertheless, it is helpful to consider the following common use cases to get a feel for the technology:

• Agriculture: This domain is finding many ways to use the IoT. For example, smart irrigation is a popular IoT use case for farmers that provides real-time visibility; IoT sensors recognize when environmental factors, such as ground moisture, call for adjusted watering schedules and can pinpoint where water is needed.
• Predictive maintenance: Predictive maintenance sensors and software help recognize when a piece of equipment is out of date, slowing down, or malfunctioning and needs to be replaced proactively instead of reactively.
• Remote monitoring: This IoT use case allows companies to monitor sensors that are in dangerous and remote places. This is particularly helpful in industries such as mining and environmental agencies, where specialized equipment is widely distributed.

Now that we have discussed a few use cases, let’s review the common components of an IoT system.