Final answer:
Programming in an IoT process is needed mainly in the microcontroller that collects sensor data and manages devices, and in the Cloud services that process and store data, such as in the ConnectIo ovens leveraging NASA's EWT. The soil sensor and fertilizing mechanism may not require additional programming if they come with built-in firmware.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the Internet of Things (IoT), programming is required at various stages to ensure the seamless operation and integration of disparate components. For an IoT system to function, code must be written to collect data, process it, and trigger actions based on this processed data. In the given IoT process, which involves a soil sensor communicating with a microcontroller, then linking to the Cloud, and back through a microcontroller to a fertilizing mechanism, programming is crucial in the microcontroller and the Cloud components.
The soil sensor and the fertilizing mechanism, on the other hand, might already have built-in firmware (pre-programmed instructions), but it's the microcontroller, which interprets the soil sensor data, manages the connection to the Cloud, and operates the fertilizing mechanism, that requires robust programming. Similarly, the Cloud component, which receives, processes, and stores the sensor data, also requires programming to manage these tasks and potentially to analyze the data and make decisions.
An example of real-life IoT application is the technology used in ConnectIo ovens. This system takes advantage of Embedded Web Technology (EWT), developed by NASA, which allows users to control the appliance remotely over the Internet. This technology enables homeowners to initiate cooking cycles at predetermined times, ensuring meals are cooked as needed. Both the microcontroller which would interface with the ConnectIo oven and the Cloud services that manage the operation schedules must be programmed accordingly to provide these capabilities.