The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the world we live in. However, this would not have been possible without sensor data. The data is first collected by the sensors and sent to IoT embedded devices for further analysis. After this, the data is transformed into action, and we are able to use it in different cases.

Sensor data is currently being utilized to develop intelligent IoT systems. This data acts as the foundation of whatever it is that we want to do with IoT, and thus, its impact is felt upon a lot of different areas of our lives. 

Some of the more common and important applications of how we are using sensor data to our advantage in IoT systems are discussed here.

Sensor data is used every day to inform us about the weather around the world. These sensors are located all over the world and thus, we can know about the weather forecast for one corner of the earth by sitting at our homes in the other corner. Some of the most common data points these sensors collect include wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, precipitation, solar radiation, soil moisture, Barometric pressure, and so on.

Analyzing these data allows us to learn more about our climate and identify the changes in it. We can be aware of what is going on in a particular region at any instance, and check whether it is something we should be worried about.

The same sensors used to keep track of our weather also help us understand the state of our environment. There are also separate sensors used for monitoring the environment and alert us of any impending threat. Thanks to sensor data, we can now measure the Air Quality Index (AQI) of any place and get a good idea about the air quality and possible health risks over there.

The idea behind IoT is that objects or devices will be communicating directly with one another, and this is the exact principle used in IoT-based self-driving systems.

By using the Internet of Things, cars and other vehicles on the road communicate with one another. They send signals to all nearby vehicles alerting them of their presence. That way, they can know which car is positioned exactly where. The cars also communicate other data points like their speed, weight, vehicle type, and so on.

Such systems use a variety of sensors. Apart from the regular sensors, you would find in a normal vehicle (like fuel temperature sensor, tire pressure sensor) some of the most widely used sensors in self-driving cars include GPS, obstacle detection, audio detection, and so on. The combination of these sensors produces data that is then used by the car to move on its own. Some of the data is also sent to other self-driving cars in the vicinity so that they too can be aware of the movements. This makes for an excellent approach to automated driving solutions with minimized risk of casualties. 

The healthcare sector has been using different types of sensors for a very long time. They are used to measure almost every single parameter of the living body. From our heartbeat to our neural impulses, sensors can detect all that and more. Thanks to the Internet of Things, we can now take the data collected by these sensors, and use them in ways that make a lot of things much easier and more convenient.

IoT-enabled healthcare devices have made remote healthcare possible.  A patient can now have medical sensors monitor their vital signs at home and have the data sent to a professional. As technology advances, the way these systems work is also getting more complicated. Soon enough, remote treatment techniques will also begin to gain popularity.

The Internet of Things has also made hospital management much easier. Doctors and nurses can now be aware of a patient's condition without having to physically check on them. Hospital logistic management is also seeing a great change thanks to IoT. And while people will take some time to get used to these systems, they will ultimately learn to embrace them and see their benefits.

The IoT revolution has already begun, and data is playing a huge part in this. As the technology sees further advancements, engineers will be able to use sensor data for much bigger purposes. The integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence to IoT-based systems has already begun. It will not be long till we see these systems take on massive roles in our society without any human intervention.