Top 10 IoT Project Ideas (Topics) for Beginners [2024]

You ought not miss this if you are a techie beginning their journey in the emerging field of IoT aka Internet of Things or if you are a final-year engineering student! This blog is a curated list of projects that you can take on to hone your skills in the domain of IoT as well as other related topics like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). 

So without further ado, let’s get to know some of the most exciting IoT projects out there relevant to the current and possible future trends!   

Top 10 Projects on IoT For Beginners In 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a revolutionary invention in the world of Computer Science making the lives of millions easier. This tech is one of the hottest trends in the Data Science industry with exponential growth. According to the Statista Research Department, IoT is predicted to grow from 8.74 billion in the year 2020 to 13 billion+ in 2023. It has even been estimated that IoT technology might soon replace several other industries. 

Some of you might be wondering what exactly is this technology called IoT?

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

The Internet of Things is a network of several smart devices connected to a single Cloud source. With the cloud, you can control this network in many ways including gathering, sending, and exchanging data across any device(s) which is a part of the network. 

Take for example a home automation system where you can control the appliances of your home with your smartphone or by voice commands and even gestures. Like you can turn on/off the lights, fans, and ACs with just your voice command or with your phone. All these devices and appliances that are a part of the network of IoT must have sensors to receive and send data so that an action can be performed. 

Let’s understand this with an example. In the case of an automated temperature control system in a building, there is a device that has sensors to collect environmental data and an air conditioner to maintain the temperature of the premises.

Now, the sensors collect the temperature of the outside environment and send this data to the cloud continuously. 

Now as soon as the temperature rises to a particular point, the cloud sends a signal to the air conditioner to cool the premises accordingly. This way you do not have to manually change the temperature again and again. The sensors will sense the temperature outside and the AC will automatically maintain the temperature inside accordingly. 

The emerging advances in the domain of IoT are astonishing which is why the scope in terms of career opportunities is exceptional. The industry is booming and hence is actively looking for professionals with expertise specifically in this field. This means that recruiters seek professionals with advanced and deep knowledge of the subject and not just some basic knowledge.  

One of the best ways to engineer expertise in this field is not by theory but by practice. If you are just starting out in the world of IoT and wish to master the skill, then work on as many projects as possible. The more projects you undertake, the more you will be able to hone yourself and enhance your versatility. 

The following 10 simple yet exciting IoT based project ideas are for all those who wish to try their hands at some real-world IoT projects or if you are a final year engineering student seeking IoT-based projects using Raspberry Pi and Arduino. Explore these trendy 10 IoT mini project ideas for CSE students that are worth being a part of your portfolio. 

1. Remote Patient Monitoring (IoT-Enabled RPM) for COVID-19 Patients

Why The Need- We are all aware of the deadly coronavirus pandemic that shook the entire world. The virus is highly contagious and very easily transmissible which exposed doctors and other healthcare workers to the threat of getting infected. This is where the idea of remote monitoring of patients came up. An IoT-based health monitoring system can be an affordable and unconventional solution to this really serious issue.    

How It Works- With Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), a doctor or a healthcare worker will not have to go near a patient. The RPM system will include a device with sensors to detect the temperature of a person from a distance. Medical personnel will just have to start the device remotely and then the device will collect data such as temperature, heartbeat, blood pressure, etc, and store these measurements in the computer with the date and time in maybe an excel sheet. This way the doctors can easily remotely determine the diagnosis of the patient and decide on further treatment. 

Utility- The primary use of the RPM system would be in hospitals OPDs where caregivers and healthcare workers come in direct contact with virus-infected patients. There is another great use of RPM. This technology can be easily made and can be really cost-effective. So, it will be really helpful for patients in remote villages that are void of good medical facilities.

2. Security Automation (IoT-Enabled Smart Door Locks)

Why The Need- Smart door locks are rapidly replacing traditional locks and keys due to several obvious reasons. It is easy to break a normal lock and the keys can be easily cloned or you might lose them compromising the security of your house. This is why smart door locks that come with other automation features like alarms if someone breaks in are becoming increasingly popular as you can monitor the safety of your house remotely.  

How It Works- This is one of the most popular and exciting IoT home automation systems. Place a QR code on the door and scan it using your smartphone that is connected to your home WiFi. Now log in using the unique ID and password. With the correct id and password, the cloud will signal the solenoid lock and it will open. You can upgrade this system by adding an alarm system. For instance, if the id and password entered are wrong, the cloud can send you a notification about the same. You can customize it in a way like if there are more than 3/5 wrong attempts, there can be an alarm device that will go off as soon as the cloud signals it to.    

Utility- This project can be used in a home security system, for the security of a building or shop, or any enclosed space. 

3. Smoke-Detecting IoT Device

Why The Need- You must have seen smoke detectors at big buildings and complexes for safety from fire. However, fire doesn’t spare based on the size of the premises. Fire can cause massive destruction to life and property. Therefore everyone must install fire-detecting systems in their homes and workplaces.   

How It Works- The smoke detector device has sensors that can detect combustible gases. The detector then immediately sends a signal to the cloud which then triggers the fire alarms to go off and inform people in the building about the fire. You can also upgrade the system by using water showers. Along with the alarms, the cloud can signal the showers to go off and sprinkle water to extinguish the fire.  

Utility- This IoT project is useful for safety from fires at homes, offices, malls, godowns, factories, etc. 

4. Water Level Monitoring System Using IoT

Why The Need- Wastage of water due to overflowing is a major concern in many households. Whenever you fill a tank, you can not make out the time by when the tank would be full until it starts to overflow. An IoT system will not just tell you when the tank is full but can also help you to switch off the motor automatically. 

How It Works- The water level monitoring system has sensors that signal the cloud as soon as the water reaches the maximum/minimum level. The cloud then notifies about the same or an upgraded system will itself switch off the power.

Utility- This IoT project can be used in homes, farms, and fields to monitor the water level of the tanks.

5. Smart Gesture-Controlled Switch System Using IoT

Why The Need- In public places, the need for contactless switches has become an absolute necessity after the Covid-19 pandemic. The surface of switches and door knobs comes in contact with so many people in a public place increasing the threat of spreading the virus. A system that can provide contactless switching on/off can solve this problem. 

How It Works- Just like the voice command system used for home automation, you can also use hand gestures to command and control a few appliances. For this system, you can use a camera as a sensor that can detect your gestures and signal the cloud which then signals the appliance accordingly. For example, if the gesture for switching on the lights in a room is to show your palm at a particular angle, then as soon as the camera will detect this gesture and send the data to the cloud. The cloud will now signal the lights to automatically switch on and vice-versa. You can connect various appliances to this IoT network including lights, fans, ACs, refrigerators, etc.   

Utility- This IoT project can be used not just in public spaces like hospitals, waiting rooms, and lounges at railway stations and airports, but also at your home.  

6. IoT-Based Street Light Monitoring System 

Why The Need- At night, street lights are the only primary source of light on the roads. It is quite a hassle when street lights go off, especially on remote roads. No lights on the road can lead to accidents and other unforeseen incidents. A monitoring system that can manage street lights when they break down could be really helpful. 

How It Works- The street lights will have light detectors which will send a signal to the Cloud as soon as the light stops working. There is also a GPS device with every light. So when a street light stops working, the detector sends the signal and with the GPS, the location of that particular light can be tracked. Now the authorities will know which street light has stopped working and at what location and repair them accordingly. You can also use good-quality light detectors that will notify even when the light becomes dim or starts flickering.     

Utility- This IoT project can prove really helpful in remote areas where it takes a long time for authorities to know about the problem. With this IoT system, they will directly get the information whenever a light stops working. 

7. IoT Based Air Pollution Monitoring System

Why The Need- There is no need to imply the adverse effects that air pollution has on our environment and eventually on us. Air pollution is a pressing issue of current times and must be dealt with with utmost strictness. There can be IoT systems that can help curb air pollution by tracking air pollution levels.    

How It Works- Air pollution monitoring system is again one of the most popular and easiest IoT projects. There are sensors that can detect toxic gases in the air and their level in real-time. So, when the quality of the air drops below the threshold, the sensor sends the signal to the cloud which activates the alarms. There are other applications as well like monitoring the PM in the air in real-time and detecting leakage. Another device can be a part of this IoT network that can regularly save data on web servers. This data can be used for future references for research and other purposes.

The utility of this project is in a way for the benefit of all mankind. But there are still some industries where this IoT project is specifically useful like mining, oil and gas, chemical, etc. 

8. IoT-Based Smart Parking System

Why The Need- Parking a car is definitely not a piece of cake and especially when you have to park in tight spaces with very less room to move the vehicle. People who can drive well but have issues parking usually do not take their cars out due to the fear of parking. Smart parking systems are the solution. In most of the new automatic cars, this system comes inbuilt. 

How It Works- This can be an interesting project with some customizations and upgradation. This project uses proximity sensors. So, when you park, these sensors get activated and guide you about other cars, walls, or other objects near the car and will alert you as soon as you are about to touch any of the other objects. You can upgrade this system by adding the feature of finding a vacant parking spot in the nearby areas. The GPS of the car can be a part of the IoT network which will track your car and then search the web for nearby areas that have vacant parking spots. 

Utility- This IoT project can be useful for people parking vehicles in crowded areas like movie theatres, shopping complexes, narrow roads, crowded markets, etc. 

9. IoT Based Smart Traffic Management System

Why The Need- Massive traffic jams are now a common sight in metro cities like Bengaluru, Gurugram, Delhi, etc. People have been left stranded in long queues for hours due to inefficient traffic management. Managing a smooth flow of traffic is quite a challenge for these cities.  

How It Works- Again, this project uses proximity sensors to manage a smooth flow of vehicles. The system also controls traffic in a way that ensures clear pathways for ambulances and other emergency vehicles. The proximity sensors detect the number of vehicles and the distance and accordingly signal the cloud to control the traffic lights to maintain balanced traffic. 

Utility- This IoT project can be used to dynamically control traffic depending on times when there is heavy traffic. For instance, the morning and evening office timings see heavy road traffic. The system can be programmed differently for these timings. The system can also be used in the sight of accidents to make way for emergency help vehicles in the direction of the accident sight.   

10. IoT-Enabled Self-Driving Cars

Why The Need- You must have grown up listening about self-driving cars being the future. Well, that future is here. The business module for the automobile branch of the tech giant Tesla is completely around the feature of self-driving. This innovation in the automobile industry is a revolution and can help many who can not drive due to several reasons like situational, temporary, and permanent injuries or sickness or other reasons.  

How It Works- This IoT project makes the car use radars that make a 3D graph for the car to detect objects in front of it, like to differentiate if there is a car, a truck, a cycle, a person, a stone, etc ahead. Then the proximity sensors are used to detect the distance between the vehicle and the other objects on the radar. There can be a camera to detect traffic lights. Using all these sensory devices, the car manages its speed and applies brakes accordingly without any human intervention. 

Utility- Self-driving cars are a boon for differently-abled people and old people. Others can also use self-driving cars in cases they are in a certain temporary situation like in case of an injury or if there is a baby or pet on board. 

Some Bonus Topics 25+ IoT Projects

The following table lists 30 more similar ideas for your IoT project. All these 30 IoT project ideas work in a similar way as the ones explained in the blog above. You can customize these projects to make them unique. For that, you will have to identify different user problems. 

It will be great if you can come up with a solution through your IoT project that has not yet been invented. 

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