Internet of Things

1The IoT: Intrusive or Indispensable Objects?

1.1. Introduction

Following Bill Gates’ famous statement in the 1970s, “A computer on every desk and in every home,” the world entered the era of computer science during the 1980s. This democratization became reality in developed countries, although not as much in third-world countries, which is a state of affairs identified by a digital and technological divide. New technological advances (computer science, telecommunications, miniaturization of electronics, etc.), led to the emergence of other solutions, new chips and electronic circuits, new computer systems and communication protocols, whose successful realization is the spread of mobile telephony and access to new compact and portable products. The smartphone is the prime example of this change; it now integrates all of the functions and services of a computer, making exchanges and communication accessible to a very large number of people. Moreover, with the connected watches that have appeared in the last few years, we are truly in the middle of the era of connected and portable devices.

Contrary to the development of computers and mobiles, whose concepts do not differ very much from one manufacturer to another (Apple, Windows, IBM, Dell, HP, etc.), the concept of the Internet of Things is broader and refers to a new way of living and managing current and professional affairs via the Internet. The environment is now more open for businesses and start-ups to innovate and offer ...