Question

Is data feedback from the cloud a required feature in an internet of things systems?

Answer 1

The Internet of things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.[1][2][3] Each thing is uniquely identifiable through its embedded computing system but is able to inter-operate within the existing Internet infrastructure.

The figure of online capable devices increased 31% from 2016 to 8.4 billion in 2017.[4] Experts estimate that the IoT will consist of about 30 billion objects by 2020.[5]It is also estimated that the global market value of IoT will reach $7.1 trillion by 2020.[6]

The IoT allows objects to be sensed or controlled remotely across existing network infrastructure,[7] creating opportunities for more direct integration of the physical world into computer-based systems, and resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy and economic benefit in addition to reduced human intervention.[8][9][10][11] When IoT is augmented with sensors and actuators, the technology becomes an instance of the more general class of cyber-physical systems, which also encompasses technologies such as smart grids, virtual power plants, smart homes, intelligent transportation and smart cities.