The article attempts to define the essence of the Internet of Things (IoT). The definitions of IoT as part of the Internet and the so-called “enumerated components” approach with one (connectivity between devices, things) or a combination of several components (e.g. connectivity + networks; connectivity + data + networks + services) are studied. The idea of a definition based on the entire set of constituent elements is considered unacceptable. Based on 150 different definitions, the main basic components (key characteristics) are highlighted and a personal definition of the essence of IoT is given. The approach of the five “core dimensions” of N. Goumagias, J. Whalley and O. Dilaver is also studied, as well as the sources of ambiguities related to the definition of IoT.
Lyuben Dimitrov Kirev (Mon,) studied this question.