Future of Internet of Things (IoT) in India

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of connected physical objects embedded with electronics, sensors, and software. These connected objects (also called nodes) exchange data over the internet. There will be 22 billion connected devices in the world by 2025. IoT technology can be used in sectors like Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare, Transportation, Media/Advertising, Retail, Water and Waste Management, Power Distribution, etc. IoT is used in various applications like smart home, smart parking, smart water level monitoring, smart healthcare, smart traffic lighting, smart waste management, smart solar panels, etc. It is essential for achieving high productivity, efficiency, a safe working environment, and low carbon emissions in the industry and other contexts. Healthcare and manufacturing are the sectors where several startups are working extensively on smart solutions.

The Indian government started the 100 smart cities mission in 2016, which will get completed in 2024. State governments have used around Rs 2 lakh crore in smart cities projects and Rs 4.5 lakh crore is in the pipeline. There are numerous IoT applications in smart cities. Traffic management, energy harvesting by using solar panels on buildings and LED streetlights, saving water using a smart meter, etc, are a few of the smart technologies used in IoT.

For IoT implementation, data analytics, cloud computing and network security are the key enabling technologies. Several companies offer cloud services in India, reducing the cost of smart solutions for smart cities. Furthermore, data security is a very challenging task in IoT.

IoT use increases with 5G network deployment in our country. With 5G connectivity, IoT solutions will be crucial for home automation, security, and several other industrial issues. Thousands of jobs related to IoT are arising every day. The government of India is planning 5G deployment in some cities by the end of 2022. 5G network is already deployed in many countries like China, Korea, Japan, and America.

Professor Rama Komaragiri, HoD, ECE Department and Dean Academics, Bennett University, says “Keeping in view the industrial requirements, the Department aims to provide the state-of-the-art knowledge in the field of Electronics and allied areas such as Communication Engineering, Machine Learning, Microwave Engineering, Embedded Systems, Internet of Things (IoT) and VLSI design. The department runs two BTech programmes in Electronics and Communication Engineering with specialisations, and Electronics and Computing Engineering with specialisations Data and Signal Analytics, Embedded Systems and Internet of Things (IoT).”

To get jobs related to IoT, a student must study specific courses in addition to a regular BTech degree. For example, suppose a student is pursuing BTech in Electronics and Communication Engineering and wants to be an expert in IoT. In that case, the student should focus on learning courses related to Embedded Systems and IoT and improve skills by doing projects in these domains. The courses in this area are Embedded System Hardware, Embedded System Hardware-Software Co-Design, IoT Networks and Protocols, and Introduction to Real-Time Operating Systems. Student with BTech degree in Electronics, Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical and Information Technology can kickstart his/her career in IoT.

Foundational knowledge and professional competencies required to understand technical strategies prepare students pursuing B Tech Electronics and Computing for private sector-oriented work profile while BTech Electronics and Communication Engineering prepares the student for public sector companies.

(The author is Associate Professor, ECE Department, School of Engineering & Applied Science, Bennett University)