IoT Assignment

Alyssa Winter
E-Skills
 Table of Contents
Title …………………………………………………………………………………………….1
Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………….2
Instructions to IoT Assignment…………..….……………………………………….................3
Amazon Echos Q1- What will the internet of things (IoT) have on our daily lives? ………….4

Amazon Echos Q2- Will it impact sustainability?……………………... ……………………..5

Amazon Echos Q3- What do you regard as the most interesting use of (IoT)…………………6

Amazon Echos Q4/Q5- Biggest risk with IoT and one factor that accelerates the benefits..…..7

Conclusion and Reflection……………………………………………………………………...8

Sources………………………………………………………………………………………….9
 Integrated website for each question
5 dive deeper and write it up
LO BEM/ 03-04-06-07-11
Find answers to 5 questions about IoT of your choice or from the list provided below.
Corroborate your answers by means of articles/presentation/… you can find (date must be later
than 01/01/2020), at least 1 per question answered.
Use APA to correctly reference your findings.
 Amazon Echos

 What effect will the internet of things (IoT) have on our daily lives?

Amazon Echos are a great example of a relatively new invention that has come to the
market within the last few years that encompasses what internet of things is (IoT). IoT
can be described by Alexander Gillis with TechTarget as “a system of interrelated
computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that have
the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-
to-computer interaction.” An example of an IoT device is the Amazon Echo because it is
connected to the internet. Its main function is to make the basic tasks of a human’s life
easier to manage. Amazon Echos have functions like voice recognition to make calls or
send messages hands free without a cell phone. They also have functions like setting
alarms, adding items to a shopping list, and playing music/podcasts by just announcing
“Hey Alexa” to the Echo. Alexa will respond with the answer or comment to make the
owner know she has made the request. For example, if I were to ask, “Hey Alexa, what is
the weather forecast for today?”, she would respond with the weather. This ability makes
it quicker to find information without having to turn on a computer and look it up or
pulling out a cellphone and typing a question into the google search engine. Overall,
Alexa has had minor effects on our daily lives because although it takes the little tasks
needed off the table and allows for our time to be used elsewhere it is not essential to
day-to-day. Most homes do not have an Amazon Echo and do just fine going about their
day. The differences in the time it takes to get an answer from Alexa’s to looking it up
the answer yourself is very minute. Within the near future I have a strong feeling just like
that an IoT like Amazon Echo will have a bigger impact on our daily lives. In Jacob
Krols article “Alexa is always evolving-and we spoke to amazon to learn more,” he
“notes that Alexa currently initiates one in four smart home actions, and she
suspects that the number will grow in the future.” I agree completely, I feel like
Amazon Echos and other larger corporation IoT devices could have the possibility
to turn into a robot to do our laundry for us one day, but for right now it is pretty basic
commands.
 Will it impact sustainability?

Amazon is announcing new ways to make the world a more energy saving and
sustainable environment with the use of more recycled materials, sustainable
packaging, and lowering the energy consumption on their devices. Within the last
year (article published in September of 2020), “Amazon co-founded the Climate
Pledge—a commitment to be net zero carbon across our business by 2040.”
(Praetorius 1) They are not slowing down anytime soon and have a plan to keep
going strong for the environment using two phases which include: when the product
is built and how it is disposed. Most of the carbon footprints that we are leaving is
from devices that are in constant use for example Amazon Echos, they are always
plugged in and always listening. To combat this footprint Amazon is leaving behind,
they have introduced the “Low Power Mode” to reserve their lifetime battery.
Therefore, regulating the amount of energy output the device is giving off. More so,
Amazon is building wind and solar farms to produce clean energy to power their
devices. Amazon has “a bold goal to continue building new renewable energy
projects until they account for the energy consumption of all Amazon devices.”
(Praetorius 3) Not only Low Power Mode features and wind farms, Amazon is also
implementing a way for the customer to understand how much energy they are using.
Amazon has created a new energy dashboard to have customers see the consumption
and allow for Alexa to take over and kelp preserve. For example, if the lights are left
on in a room, Alexa can automatically turn it off, helping save energy. This saves the
energy for other uses and also teaches consumers about their consumption levels to
hopefully change their habits for the future to some. Overall, Amazon is making a
profit from their devices they are also giving back to the environment to make it a
more sustainable world.
 What do you regard as the most interesting use of the Internet of Things?

I think that as a whole Amazon Echos are a fascinating internet of things devices for
its versatility for a wide variety of information. The examples I find most interesting
uses of Amazon Echos are given by Ry Crist in his article “The 15 coolest things you
can do with your Amazon Echo,” are as follows: music on demand, multi room
audio, in-app device controls, smart home groups, calling and messaging, and voice
recognition. The music demand function allows for a person to ask for a music choice
at request and the Echo device will play it. This is nice for me because I love music
and if I feel like playing a certain song I can just yell “Hey Alexa, play xxx song”,
she will get on it. Multi room audio is the ability for Echos to connect with each other
and play audio across multiple rooms. For example, my mom uses this in our house
for telling us to come eat dinner. My brother and I’s room is in the basement so
instead of yelling to us from upstairs or coming down to get us, she speaks into the
device and the audio goes to the one we have downstairs to inform us that it’s dinner
time. In-app device controls and smart home groups are used to control objects in
your home from your cell phone like the lights, garage doors, or front doors. I also
use this in my house to keep track of if I turned off the lights in my room or left the
garage door open when leaving the house. Very helpful tool for me since I forget to
do these things all the time. Calling and messaging is used to quickly and efficiently
send messages from the Amazon Echos to family and friends. Lastly, my favorite,
voice recognition, it is used to talk to Alexa. I find it most interesting that you can ask
her random questions or make her tell jokes and she will respond. It’s a fun past time
if you are really bored.
 What’s the biggest risk associated with the Internet of Things?

The biggest risk with an Amazon Echo is privacy. The Echo is a “listening device
that can collect your data without your knowledge” and has been confirmed as a Wi-
Fi Cyberattack Risk. (O’Flaherty) Wi-Fi vulnerabilities could allow for a key
reinstallations attack (KRACK), thus allowing for a man to view content across the
Wi-Fi connected devices. Essentially hacking into all of your information that has
been said directly and indirectly to the Amazon Echo. This is huge security issue a
customer of Amazon Echos private data. The Echo is always listening.

 What one factor would most accelerate the benefits of the Internet of Things?

The one factor that would accelerate the benefits of Internet of Things such as the
Amazon Echo would be its customer experience. There is a special kind of unique
feeling for “any internet-connected device to offer customers an experience through
their IoT device of choice” this “is a key selling point of a modern business,” and is
affecting our purchasing decisions daily. (5 Benefits of The Internet of Things for
SMBs.) This factor is the most important for a business to succeed because without
customer the business would not exist. It is important for companies to pay close
attention to the consumers and make sure that they are having the best experience
with their product that they can provide them. Without it, a consumer is likely to
switch to a competitor, decreasing the acceleration on the Internet of Things device.
Conclusion:

Overall, Internet of Things (IoT), Amazon Echo is a great piece of technology to help you with
daily tasks but be aware that it is always collections data. Be cautious around technology because
you never know who can be hacking into your database stealing your information without you
knowing. Also, take advantage of businesses that are careful with the environment, we only have
one planet, take care of it. Invest in brands that agree.

Reflection (what did I learn):

All in all this assignment has gave me a deeper understanding into what the Amazon Echo is and
its performance as an Internet of Things device. While researching there were moments that I
caught myself being rather interested in all the new functions being added to the product. I have
some Alexa devices at home, but I didn’t know about the in-app functions to make more daily
tasks easier. I also loved that Amazon is one of the largest companies in the world and is still
being cautious towards the environment as well. Really shows that anyone and everyone can and
should take care of the planet.
Sources:

What is IoT (Internet of Things) and How Does it Work? - Definition from TechTarget.com.

(n.d.). IoT Agenda. https://www.techtarget.com/iotagenda/definition/Internet-of-Things-

IoT

Krol, J. (2022, March 24). Alexa is always evolving — and we spoke to Amazon to learn more.

CNN Underscored. https://us.cnn.com/2022/03/24/cnn-underscored/how-does-alexa-

work-interview/index.html

O’Flaherty, K. (n.d.). New Amazon Echo Warning As Wi-Fi Cyberattack Risk Confirmed.

Forbes. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2019/10/17/new-amazon-echo-warning-as-

wi-fi-hack-risk-confirmed/?sh=7ccca89c4057

Introducing our most sustainable devices ever. (2020, September 24). US about Amazon.

https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/introducing-our-most-sustainable-devices-

ever#:~:text=Echo%20and%20Fire%20TV%20devices%20will%20be%20among

5 Benefits of The Internet of Things for SMBs. (2019, September 6). Impact Networking.

https://www.impactmybiz.com/blog/blog-5-benefits-of-the-internet-of-things-for-smbs/