For instance, a recent article published by Forbes reveals a funny, but controversial situation – a company’s coffee machine has become the target for hackers. These ingenious people were able to take control of the machinery, which, along with getting unusable, was quite noisy. But what did the hackers want to get with this?
Look around your house, you're surrounded by small computers or embedded systems which have a significant role in making everyday life easier to handle. Technology evolution and software development are continuously opening new ways to a digital world. You use gadgets and programs all day long, for a variety of reasons.
However, what you don't understand, is that even a tiny digital object in your house comes with an embedded system with applications that could be…hacked. It seems that IoT systems are attractive for hackers as well, not just for people who want to keep up with technology!
For instance, a recent article published by Forbes reveals a funny, but controversial situation – a company's coffee machine has become the target for hackers. These ingenious people were able to take control of the machinery, which, along with getting unusable, was quite noisy. But what did the hackers want to get with this? They attempted to infiltrate the intern network for stealing important data, but they could not. Thus, they ended up asking for a ransom to restore the device.
After all, let's be honest, how many people would not pay a fortune for enjoying the coffee in the morning?
When you have a piece of rocket and don't know it
And since all of us agree on the value of the coffee machine, this may be the moment to inform you that this device which makes your mornings sublime has something in common with a rocket sailing into outer space. No, it is not the coffee effect speaking.
This frequent household appliance, with its rudimentary uses, conceals a higher potentiality than you'd have envisioned. Your coffee machine may become a crucial part of a technology that leads humanity to the moon. Until then, we can use it to receive our daily dose of coffee, which keeps us down to earth.
The key lies in the embedded components which are the base of IoT systems, and innovative machines.
It's hard to understand the omnipresence of embedded systems as we're surrounded by various things that include them. Whether we refer to our little comfort zone within the home of the cosmic space, embedded is anywhere.
Embedded & IoT — one bond, endless possibilities
IoT systems (Internet of Things) constitute a world where all the devices around us are interconnected, through an online network. Almost as if we've got a remote control for all, not only the TV. Not there yet, but we are not far either. Any item around us can be a part of this IoT if it has the necessary components. We can control remotely the devices we use daily, like lighting sources, safety cameras, or electronic equipment, from our smartphones. Also, IoT can collect and inventory a great deal of information. Consequently, in the electronic world, this makes you "wealthy". Wealthy of information.
The items we usually use have fast and widely adopted embedded systems. Like the coffee machine, as we said. For many of us, the first thought in the morning is to have a coffee. The digital device replies to our needs with a push of a button. Just as our objective is exact, so is the coffee machines. Its embedded system is made with a well-defined purpose – it provides what you need involving minimal effort.
Embedded & Telecommunications
State-of-the-art tablets, laptops, or phones are more of a necessity than a whim. This is amplified by the current international context. We use these devices at home, in the workplace, at school, or even on trips and vacations. Isn't it true that, while drinking your coffee, you scroll your cellphone to find out what's new on social media or news websites?
Embedded systems are real landmarks for the speed of information in the electronic scene. Shortly, the embedded systems will change what we knew about SIM cards, turning them into eSIM (embedded SIM). Thus, our mobile phones will have an integrated microchip. This will replace the typical cards, the small objects that we lose in a blink of an eye, right? For the telecommunications industry, this is a substantial step forward.
We know, interesting how embedded systems are included in so many things we use and never thought about it! From the controversial coffee maker to our smartphones.
