Consumer IoT vs. Industrial IoT - What are the Differences?

The Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem has grown in recent years and will continue to grow in the future. The positive impact that IoT solutions have had on the industry has piqued the interest of industrial companies and manufacturers who want to improve their current processes by implementing new capabilities such as remote control or monitoring of supply chain processes, as well as installing sensors directly on their machines to perform predictive and preventive maintenance, which can save thousands – if not millions – of dollars. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), as it is currently known, is the game-changer for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

IoT technology can be divided into two broad categories based on its widespread use and wide range of benefits: consumer IoT and industrial IoT.

But what exactly distinguishes the both comes as one question. So, let us share with you some distinctions to help you understand the extremities between consumer and Industrial IoT.

IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things)

It is the industrial application of technology to increase efficiency and optimize company operations in many industries such as health and automotive.

It entails a network of data-generating sensors coupled to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), as well as cloud-based data processing. The confidential data is utilised to improve operations and reduce risk.

The IIoT ecosystem is successfully transforming organizations as they transition to Industry 4.0. IIoT refers to the large-scale implementation of IoT technologies such as machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity, big data, and machine learning.

Features

1. Extreme environment resistanceExtreme climatic conditions are no match for IIoT sensors. They can easily withstand high temperatures, being submerged in fluids, and encountering high-pressure circumstances.

IIoT sensors must be able to withstand the IP68 certification's waterproofing requirements. To be qualified for deployment, those who are exposed to explosive and combustible conditions must be HazLoc-certified.

2. A wide range of devicesOver a large area, complex monitoring systems are implemented. It could be a few kilometres long or hundreds of kilometres long.

Various midpoints and endpoints may be present in the complicated network. Each device on the network creates data that is sent to industrial control systems (ICS) such a PLC, SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition), and Distributed Control Systems (DCS).

Edge Computing is used by IIoT hardware designers to create devices that can perform preliminary analytics. To avoid overloading, the first data processing is conducted at the device level.

CIoT stands for Consumer Internet of Things.

It refers to a network of physical and digital devices connected for consumer usage, such as cellphones, fashion goods, wearables, and so on. Multiple wireless protocols are supported by these devices, which are enabled by microcontrollers and Unique Identifiers, or UIDs.

CIoT is known for quickly infiltrating our daily lives in order to improve productivity and simplify routine tasks. It is the technology that we encounter on a daily basis.

Features

The development of linked devices necessitates technology and software that is quicker, cheaper, and more secure. To collect exact consumer data, IoT devices use built-in sensors and interact via Bluetooth, RFID, GPS, NFC, and the internet.

Smartphones and other IoT systems are utilised as controllers for CIoT devices and apps.

LPWAN is also being used by CIoT devices for personal asset tracking applications over long distances.

These devices give customers complete control over their operations from afar. Consumers appreciate the simplicity and enhanced security that the devices provide. They can even prevent mishaps by remotely turning off equipment.

Myths about the IIOT and CIOT

Both IIoT and CIoT are based on IoT technology, however industrial implementation requires more capabilities than a consumer application.

Both technologies necessitate precise control, high-level security, and dependable performance in harsh environments. We must work to reduce the need for human intervention and function on a low-power basis.

More than "push and pull status and command information" is required in industrial operations. The IIoT must allow autonomous devices to communicate more effectively and efficiently with one another.

Unlike the Internet of Things, industrial device communities have been created for specific sorts of industrial devices. These devices may be incompatible with one another, but they serve the same purpose.

In this case, Internet Protocol (IP) serves as a unified communications gateway to improve peer-to-peer communication.

Digital devices with built-in IP capabilities are used in CIoT applications. Most IIoT older equipment do not have IP capabilities, and most industrial device owners are unaware of this.

Conclusion:

Although both Industrial and Consumer IoTs are based on the same principle of linking physical items and transferring data over a network, their requirements and applications are vastly different.

The most significant differences are the types of hardware devices involved, as well as their security, connectivity, and power requirements.

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