Updated on: 01/12/2023 The Internet of Things (IoT) is referred to as the next industrial revolution and is transforming the way we work, socialise and live our lives. The IoT is connecting together our physical world of everyday things and the digital world. It involves a network of things, for example appliances, vehicles and wearable devices that are embedded with sensors and other electronics to gather, store and analyse data over the internet that meets a need by triggering action(s). For example, vehicle diagnostics involving the location of equipment, service options and the collection of real-time driver and machine data and asset tracking, or remote medical diagnostics of patients involving their historical records being analysed with real-time data so that healthcare professionals can provide accurate diagnosis and treatment. In this unit, you will investigate the applications of different IoT systems and services, including the principles involved and the characteristics of the systems and services. You will design a prototype IoT system or device and develop it using off-the-shelf hardware and suitable programming languages, techniques and constructs. The analytical, problem-solving and practical skills you gain in this unit will prepare you for entry to higher education to study a range of degrees. The unit will help you when entering an IT apprenticeship or the workplace, for example as a junior software developer.