IoT Device - What if objects could interact?

An IoT (Internet of Things) device is a physical object that is embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies that enable it to connect to the internet and exchange data with other devices and systems. These devices can range from simple everyday objects to complex industrial machinery. 

Common examples include:

Agricultural IoT devices:

• 🔗  LoRa-based weather station – monitoring temperature, humidity, and rainfall in rural areas.

• 🔗  Soil moisture sensors in large farms

• 🔗 Livestock tracking collars for cattle or sheep

• 🔗 Crop monitoring sensors that detect plant health

• 🔗 Valves open/close based on LoRa-sent moisture sensor data.

Smart city applications:

• Parking space sensors that detect if spots are occupied

• Air quality monitoring stations

• Smart waste bins that signal when they need emptying

• Street lighting control systems

Utility monitoring:

• Smart water meters for remote reading

• Gas leak detection sensors

• Electric utility monitoring in remote areas

• Tank level sensors for fuel or water storage

Environmental monitoring:

• Flood detection sensors along rivers

• Wildfire smoke detection systems

• Seismic activity monitors

• Wildlife tracking devices in nature reserves

Industrial applications:

• Asset tracking for construction equipment

• Pipeline monitoring sensors

• Remote machinery diagnostics

• Warehouse inventory tracking

The key characteristic that makes something an IoT device is this internet connectivity combined with the ability to interact with the physical world through sensors or controls. This allows for automation, remote monitoring, and data collection that wasn't possible with traditional "dumb" devices.