Hey, STIMologists! Have you accepted the mission Become thermostars ? It is a mission where we fight against climate change by adjusting the temperature of our house, and an excellent tool to help with this mission, it is a smart thermostat. This device is just one of several smart devices that make our lives easier, but have you ever thought: What makes a device so smart? Keep reading and you will find out!

Internet of things

Do you know how you use the Internet to research and chat with your friends? Smart devices use the Internet too! Household appliances, cars and yes, even thermostats can use the Internet of Things (IoT) to receive and exchange information.

Here’s how it works:

Every device that is connected to the Internet is part of the IoT. They share information via something called the cloud – no, not the clouds in the sky, but the cloud of technology.

the cloud-fr-small

Photo credit: IBM

The cloud of technology allows devices and computers that are far apart from each other to connect and share information. It is a network of different systems that stores or stores data, such as photos, videos and other information (cloud storage), that allows you to update data (cloud services) and that has very powerful computers that run apps and websites (cloud servers).

Via the cloud, you can control your smart devices and access their data from anywhere by simply opening an app on your tablet or cell phone.

What can smart devices do?

Thanks to the Internet of Things and the cloud, we can now access lots of new data from technology and devices, which have been around forever. Now we have…
• thermostats that know the current temperature in our homes
• watches that can measure a pulse and / or body temperature
• weather devices that measure wind speed and humidity air
• tools used during surgery to guide surgeons
• sensors on a car that can detect potential collisions

How does a smart thermostat help save money?

First, understand what a thermostat does: it allows you to control the temperature in your home. If you are too cold or too hot, you just have to adjust the thermostat and you will be at a comfortable temperature shortly, but be careful how much you adjust it because heating and cooling a house uses a lot of energy.

Here is the advantage of having a smart thermostat. Imagine you are in school and your parents are at work. Your parents can adjust the thermostat at home from their cell phone to heat or cool your home between 8 am and 4 pm, which would save energy. Some smart thermostats can even ‘learn’ when you are at home or away and thus adjust the temperature themselves. If you’ve shared the location of your cell phone, your smart thermostat may even start to heat or cool the house while you’re on your way home.

We think the technology that makes these devices so smart deserves an A +!

Quick facts about smart devices

• Smart devices are ‘objects’ which are connected to other ‘objects’ via the Internet. Together, they form the Internet of Things (or the IoT as a shortcut).
• Smart devices share and store the same information (data) using the cloud (the technology cloud, not the cottony clouds in the sky).
• You can then control your smart devices using apps on your tablet or cell phone (which are also examples of smart devices).