Technology has evolved rapidly in the last three decades. A rising global population means a higher demand for goods and services. Companies find ways to increase production and quality control, such as through the Internet of Things.

The IoT has risen in numerous sectors, especially manufacturing. These devices improve safety, increase production and help experts better understand technology.

Shipping Containers

The past few years have been contentious for shipping businesses. Supply chain disruptions caused frequent delays, backlogs and other issues for organizations worldwide. Data shows supplier delivery times increased significantly in 2020 and 2021, especially for companies needing machinery and technology equipment.

The IoT can provide solutions to increase efficiency for shipping and logistics businesses. For example, warehouse workers can use IoT gadgets to track shipments, allowing organizations to see the condition of packages and increase supply chain visibility. This form of automation makes shipping more efficient when speed is necessary to fulfill orders on time.

This technology is critical for temperature-sensitive items in shipping containers. Manufacturers must keep food, medicine, electronics, chemicals and more at a specific temperature. Using the IoT, companies can monitor their containers and adjust as needed.

The operator can use an app to make these changes instead of relying on labor from a cargo ship worker. The IoT will be vital in easing the world’s supply chain struggles as the decade progresses.

Smart Toilets

The IoT provides excellent tools for companies to track their assets, no matter what type of equipment. They are handy devices for tracking water flow, for example — plumbers use the IoT to monitor systems like smart toilets and pipes. These devices increase quality control and customer satisfaction because plumbing professionals can detect problems faster and save clients money on repairs.

The recent pandemic opened opportunities to use the IoT for health management. Toilets fitted with artificial intelligence can monitor a person’s health through their body’s secretions. Sensors on the toilet seat can give health advice for users to improve their diet.

Over time, the toilets can monitor a person’s physical health and provide data for hospitals. In the future, smart toilets will become integral for health monitoring at home and in health care facilities.

Exoskeletons

A common theme for the IoT in manufacturing is improving processes and making them safer for humans. This benefit is crucial in sectors like construction, where laborers face dangers daily. Construction, extraction and transportation workers accounted for 47% of work fatalities in 2021.

One example of the IoT’s safety improvements is with exoskeletons. Construction laborers wear these devices on their arms, shoulders, back or waist for support. Employees often work long hours doing manual labor, so the vests provide relief for their bodies and reduce strain.

The exoskeletons use machine learning to adjust to the laborer’s body — as the worker moves, the vest tracks movement and improves safety on the job site.

Concrete Pumps

The demand for new construction has been high recently. The IoT makes processes more efficient, allowing project managers to meet deadlines and move on to another job site. Concrete pumps are another example of the IoT’s increased efficiency.

Many businesses use boom pumps because they have long robotic arms that pour precise amounts of concrete efficiently. Boom pumps make large projects easier because they require less time and produce less waste on-site.

Construction workers can also embed IoT sensors in the concrete to track the material as it cures. The advanced technology ensures accuracy and sustainability by providing structural integrity in the concrete.

Health Monitors

The pandemic caused chaos in health care facilities, as patients with COVID-19 occupied hospital beds necessary for other patients. The strain on hospitals soared, but IoT can help the future of medical equipment by improving patient care and allowing some patients to go home instead of staying in the hospital.

Physicians can use IoT devices like heart rate monitors, glucose trackers, blood pressure monitors, fitness bands and more. These gadgets use biosensors to track the patient’s health in real time. If an emergency arises, the device can notify the user and the hospital.

IoT sensors are also effective at detecting diseases. Research from the Journal of the International Measurement Confederation shows IoT-based analysis can detect heart disease with 99% accuracy in less than 10 seconds. The IoT’s rise will be critical in delivering customized health care to every patient and understanding their needs.

Smart Meters

Global energy consumption rises annually, causing concern for energy grid management. More power consumption means an increased carbon footprint. Data from the International Energy Agency shows fossil fuel use in buildings contributes about 8% of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. Utility companies can help their clients by employing the IoT in smart energy meters.

IoT sensors can tell building owners what areas of the structure use the most energy and hcreate reduction targets. These devices signal operators when unusual energy consumption occurs because it could be attempted fraud and manipulation. Smart meters also eliminate the need for meter readings because the information is digitally accessible. Smart energy meters will be vital for managing the world’s energy grids and reducing carbon footprints.

Autonomous Vehicles

Numerous researchers and developers are aiming to increase autonomy in vehicles, and achieving self-driving cars requires the use of the IoT. Presently, automakers use the IoT to improve their machinery. Production workers use predictive analytics to detect any problems with the braking and steering systems. The IoT helps auto manufacturers reduce the risk of recalls and keep drivers safe on the road.

The IoT will be critical in developing fully autonomous vehicles. Currently, the most advanced vehicle is the Drive Pilot from Mercedes-Benz — this car has Level 3 autonomy, according to the Society of Automotive Engineers. Self-driving vehicles use IoT sensors to communicate with each other on the road and avoid collisions. The race for Levels 4 and 5 autonomy is fierce, and predictive analytics will significantly impact which manufacturers receive approvals.

Automakers use IoT to connect cars with various networks or cellular vehicle-to-everything. Vehicles can connect with pedestrians through cell phones, which will become prevalent as autonomous taxis emerge. Pedestrians who need a cab can use their phones to track when their vehicle will arrive and how long it will take to arrive at their destination.

Fleet Telematics

The IoT is critical for quality control because it allows automakers to track their cars from the production line to the dealership. Then they can continue monitoring once a customer purchases the vehicle.

Fleet managers can use the IoT to improve the efficiency and safety of their drivers. Telematics has become a key component of many fleets, especially for truckers. These devices create efficient routes based on traffic, saving time and money for fleets on tight deadlines. Telematics also provides legal backing through dashcams that give a clearer picture of what happened in car accidents. Telematics equipment is essential as the trucking industry faces shortages and extracts the best from workers currently on the road.

Using the IoT for Safety and Efficiency

Each year, innovations rise in manufacturing. Facilities implement new technologies, processes and other mechanisms to improve efficiency and safety. Many companies incorporating technology do it through the IoT.

The world’s population has reached 8 billion, so the demand for energy, water and other resources is high. Using IoT helps manufacturers meet the need, and assist consumers with physical and environmental health. The IoT is relatively new in manufacturing, so its rise will continue for decades.