Prelims 2018 · Science and Technology · Question 66
When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day's weather and also indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When you step out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. On your way to office, your car warns you about traffic congestion ahead and suggests an alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a message to your office accordingly.<br/><br/>In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following terms best applies to the above scenario?
Answer
Internet of Things
- (a) Border Gateway Protocol: BGP is a routing protocol used to exchange routing information between autonomous systems on the Internet. It does not describe smart devices interacting in daily life. Verdict: Incorrect.
- (b) Internet of Things: IoT refers to interconnected physical devices/sensors/appliances that communicate, automate actions, and exchange data over networks. The scenario of smartphone, geyser, mirror, refrigerator, home systems, and car working together fits this exactly. Verdict: Correct.
- (c) Internet Protocol: IP is the basic addressing and packet-delivery protocol of the Internet. It is a component of networking, not the broader concept illustrated by smart connected devices. Verdict: Incorrect.
- (d) Virtual Private Network: VPN provides secure encrypted communication over a public network. It is unrelated to the automation and device-to-device ecosystem described here. Verdict: Incorrect.