When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the… - IAS 2018 Science PYQ

IAS 2018 — Science Technology

2018mcqmedium

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.

In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following terms best applies to the above scenario ?

Official previous-year question

Prelims GS Paper I · Held on 3 Jun 2018.

Options

ABorder Gateway Protocol
BInternet of Things
CInternet Protocol
DVirtual Private Network

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (b) Internet of Things.

Explanation

The scenario described illustrates the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT refers to a network of physical objects—"things"—that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet.

Analysis of Options:

(b) Internet of Things (Correct): The example highlights a connected ecosystem where devices (smartphone, geyser, smart mirror, refrigerator, car) communicate with each other and perform actions automatically without direct human intervention. This seamless integration and automation of physical devices via the internet is the defining characteristic of IoT.
(a) Border Gateway Protocol (Incorrect): BGP is a standardized exterior gateway protocol designed to exchange routing and reachability information among autonomous systems (AS) on the internet. It manages how data is routed between large networks but does not describe the application of smart devices.
(c) Internet Protocol (Incorrect): IP is the principal set of rules governing the format of data sent over the internet. While IoT devices utilize IP addresses to communicate, the term "Internet Protocol" refers to the underlying communication standard, not the functional scenario of smart device automation.
(d) Virtual Private Network (Incorrect): A VPN extends a private network across a public network and enables users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their computing devices were directly connected to the private network. It is primarily a tool for security and privacy.

Key Takeaway: The Internet of Things (IoT) enables Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, allowing smart devices to collect data, share information, and execute tasks automatically to improve efficiency and convenience.

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