It’s All Connected! (1)

How the Internet of Things will get everything talking to the Internet

The Internet of Things (IoT) aims to get everything and everyone talking. Attaching sensors to "things" such as cows, cars and refrigerators, and then assigning them unique IP address, allows them to "talk" to the Internet. Of course, the IoT will involve much more than a handful of sensors. Networking company Cisco estimates that 50 billion Internet-connected devices and objects will be transmitting data by 2020.

But getting back to those cows, cars and refrigerators, what types of data might they actually send? Cows might transmit their locations or physical conditions. Cars might communicate low oil levels and automatically schedule their own maintenance. And refrigerators might send owners text messages reminding them it's time to buy milk and eggs.

Specific Benefits
The IoT will allow people to track things and processes like never before. Airplane manufacturers will be able to continuously track the condition of airplane parts, allowing them to do preventive maintenance and avoid costly downtime. Consumers could install smart meters in their homes to monitor energy usage and observe energy price changes in real time. That would allow people to adjust their habits and use electrical appliances during lower-priced hours.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Clipped Words ( 截短詞)

1. app=application
/ˈæp/
app是一個單字, 要讀/ˈæp/, 不要讀成A-P-P, 他不是縮寫, 原形是application

2. gas= gasoline

3. exam=examination

4. telephone=phone

5. airplane=plane

6. refrigerator= fridge

7. influenza=flu

Grammar Gym
But getting back to those cows, cars and refrigerators, what types of data might they actually send?
getting back to: returning to a subject that was mentioned earlier
- I know we're busy right now, but getting back to what we were talking about an hour ago, is it possible to take tomorrow off?
- Getting back to our discussion on holiday plans, when would you like to reserve your plane tickets?

Language Lab
sensor n.
a piece of equipment used for discovering the presence of light, heat, movement etc
- The heat sensor detects all temperature changes in the lab.
- Motion sensors were connected to the light switches, so when people move around, the lights will turn on automatically.

maintenance n.
[uncountable] the repairs, painting etc that are necessary to keep something in good condition:
- My car is in the garage for routine maintenance.
- The ground staff needs to conduct maintenance checks before the airplanes take off.
maintain v.
to make something continue in the same way or at the same standard as before:
- The device helps maintain a person's heart rate.

preventive adj.
intended to stop something you do not want to happen, such as illness, from happening:
- The police took preventive measures to ensure a peaceful protest.
- The pharmaceutical company is developing many types of preventive medicine.

real time n.
deals with information as fast as it receives it:
- The viewers can watch the candidate's debate in real time.
- Umpires need to make judgments in real time.
real-time adj.
happening or shown at the speed at which a computer receives and processes information
- There's real-time language translation during each session of the conference.

umpire n.
the person who makes sure that the players obey the rules in sports such as tennis, baseball, and cricket [↪ referee]


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