IoT and M2M applications in India

IoT and M2M applications in India

IoT stands for the Internet of Things, which is a system of interconnected devices that can collect and exchange data. These devices can be anything from smartphones to sensors to streetlights.

M2M stands for machine-to-machine, which is the communication between two or more devices without human intervention. M2M devices are typically connected to a network, such as the internet, and can communicate with each other using a variety of protocols.

The Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) technologies are growing rapidly in India. These technologies allow devices to connect to the internet and share data with each other. This data can be used to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and make better decisions.

OVERVIEW OF IoT AND M2M APPLICATIONS IN INDIA:

The Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) technologies are rapidly transforming lives and working styles. These technologies enable devices to connect to the internet and transfer necessary data among each other, along with helping us enhance efficiency, optimality and privacy.

According to a report published by Market Research Network the global market for M2M & IoT communications is expected to reach USD 26.8 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 11.8% from 2020 to 2027. The Indian market for IoT and M2M technologies has shown tremendous demand and increased applicability. The Indian market is supposed to show a CAGR of approximately 22% till 2027.

These predictions are backed up by the current market scenarios and the upcoming possibilities. Let’s explore these growth promoting variables.

FACTORS DRIVING GROWTH: -

Indian market carries within itself great potential for IoT and M2M technologies to develop and flourish. The market is showered with large population, a rapidly growing economy, positive feedback and support from the government and authoritative bodies etc. We can understand these as under: -

· The large and growing population: - India’s a country that houses the largest population across the globe. This also means that India is home to the upcoming largest youth population that has the capabilities and potential to give IoT and M2M technology a big push that will drive the industry towards the path of rapid growth. Our large group of skilled labour provides us an opportunity to build strong, high quality tech goodies a low cost. India can make use of the human capital available to itself in order to stand in front of the developed nations and create a better global presence for itself in the industry.

· The growing economy: India is a developing nation that has shown signs of rapid economical growth and development. With the rapid increase in income and rise in standard of living, there is a tendency to spend more on IoT and M2M technology driven devices. The use of smart applications at homes, educational institutions, hospitals, government agency has increased the demand for digitalization and systematic approach towards management creating a rapidly increasing demand for innovation and automate devices.

· The government's support: The Indian government is supportive of the technological innovations and is emerging as one of the biggest cheerleaders of IoT and M2M connectivity. Through policies and programs government is contributing its bit into the growth of the industry. Government has created itself as an example by digitalizing it’s activities, making it’s boundaries reach to most sectors possible. For example – recently government released a guideline series for the purpose of building a smart and intelligent transportation system in India. For more information on this, read our blog on AIS 140 here.

APPLICATION AREAS OF IoT AND M2M TECHNOLOGIES:

There are various kinds of applications of IoT and M2M technologies that are to be seen in day to day basis. However majority of these can be grouped together into various industries which provide overall advantage to the growth and ease of carrying out their work. Some of these major industries are listed below.

Smart cities: IoT and M2M technology ensures management of cities and towns in an innovative and optimum manner wherein they enable the use of technology of enhance waste management, traffic control and better functioning of government services.

We can look at the implications of government efforts in the management of our very own Indian cities. For example, in the city of Pune, data is being collected by the use of IoT devices on the grounds of traffic, consumption of traffic, and management of waste. This data is making the city more efficient and comfortable. It is making the city an embodiment of peaceful and desirable neighborhood to live in.

Smart transportation: Efficient transportation system can drive a country’s growth and give it a boost. It is an essential part in terms of transportation of goods and raw materials along with migration, playing an important role in social and economical welfare. We can track the location and conditions of vehicles in a fleet using IoT devices. The role of IoT and M2M technology in transportation and fleet management can be understood in depth in our blog.

The data collected by IoT devices in terms of traffic management can be used to optimize traffic signals, improve public transportation, and reduce pollution. Also, IoT devices track the movement of goods and monitor the condition of goods. We can use this data to improve supply chain management and logistics efficiency.

Healthcare: Healthcare sector is one of the most crucial segment that can use IoT and M2M technology to improve their services towards the ill. We can use IoT devices to monitor patients' vital signs and to track their medication intake. This data can be used to provide better care for patients and to reduce the cost of healthcare. There are innovations that can be used to track falls and health alerts in elderly people and babies to ease the work of caregivers.

Agriculture: Agricultural sector is the largest employer of India’s working class and it’s enhancement is now being driven by IoT and M2M technology advancements. There are multiple advancements that help farmers in precision farming and agriculture. We can take help of IoT devices to do some tasks for us like monitor soil moisture, pests, and diseases. This data can be used to improve crop yields and to reduce the use of pesticides. We can even monitor soil irrigation system according to the moisture levels on the grounds. It will help us conserve water. Early weather reports and improved storage can also be facilitated by IoT and M2M technology which can improve the farming conditions in India.

Manufacturing: When we look at the case of manufacturing, this sector is among the most crucial ones. IoT devices in manufacturing are being used to monitor the performance of machines, identify potential problems, to track the location of assets and to monitor the quality of products. This data can be used to improve efficiency, to improve inventory management, to prevent theft, to improve product quality and to prevent recalls.

Energy: Energy requirements are crucial to be optimally fulfilled in order to make the country’s economy grow. IoT devices are being used to monitor energy usage, to identify potential problems with energy infrastructure, used to monitor distributed energy resources, such as solar panels and wind turbines and to manage demand for energy. This data can be used to improve efficiency, to reduce costs, to optimize the use of these resources, to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources, to reduce peak demand and to improve grid stability.

As every coin has two sides, the opportunities do not come without challenges that block the pathway of tremendous growth and innovations. In order to reach our goals and make use of the benefits we have to overcome these challenges. Let us learn what balls are thrown in the way.

CHALLENGES FACED BY IOT AND M2M IN INDIA: -

Now, let us dive into the part where we discuss the challenges faced by the IoT and M2M applications revolving around the Indian market. There are solutions to these challenges that requires continuous efforts and time.

Lack of infrastructure pose as one of the biggest threat in the development of IoT and M2M technology. The internet connectivity of India is nothing as reliable or affordable as compared to other countries. The government is making efforts to invest and build the required infrastructure, but these investments will take time to show their impact. We need to encourage private investors as well as Foreign Direct Investments in order to create the infrastructure environment we need. Investments are not easy to be encouraged as infrastructure is a risky venture. However once made it will bring heavy returns.

Another important aspect that blocks the pathway is security and privacy. IoT and M2M devices transfer and hold on to lots of data daily, which leads to concerns regarding security and privacy. There is always a potential risk that hackers and cyber criminals could steal the data and use it for illegal purposes. Implementing policies to avoid these will take time and effort in the long term. Strong encryption and security measures on individual and societal level is necessary to be built around in India.

Implementation of IoT and M2M solutions into businesses and day to day activity can be monetarily burdening specially for small businesses. The Iot and M2M solutions are costly and not easy to be developed and applied, and this can be a challenge for businesses with limited resources. Government need to provide grants and aid to businesses implementing IoT and M2M applications in order to promote and increase its popularity.

Finally, there is still a lack of awareness about IoT and M2M technologies in India. This can make it difficult for businesses to understand the benefits of these technologies and how to implement them. There is less number of businesses in India using IoT and M2M solutions as compared to the west.

In addition to the challenges mentioned above, the following are also some of the challenges faced by IoT and M2M in India:

Lack of standardization: There is no single standard for IoT and M2M, which can make it difficult to connect devices from different manufacturers. Prices, quality and the ability to meet the demands of the users differs from dealer to dealer and can cause trouble for meeting the needs of machine manufacturers.

Interoperability: The lack of interoperability can also make it difficult to share data between different devices and systems. There is a risk of devices not supporting the files and data transmitted and causing error and interruptions in usage of the IoT devices and M2M applications.

Data security: The large amount of data collected by IoT and M2M devices can be a security risk. Data can be leaked and potential liability can be formed.

Complexity: IoT and M2M solutions can be complex to implement and manage. Management of these solutions can be tiresome and may increase the workload of the businesses. They can lead to increased cost of administration as well.

The IoT and M2M market in India is still in its early stages of development. However, the market is growing rapidly, and there are a number of opportunities for businesses to get involved. With the right government support and the availability of skilled labor, India is well-positioned to become a global leader in the IoT and M2M market.