An IoT gateway is a device that connects IoT sensors and machines to the cloud or central systems. It helps collect, filter, and process data from various IoT devices. Without an IoT gateway, many smart devices couldn’t communicate effectively, especially if they use different protocols. By acting as a bridge between devices and the internet, IoT gateways ensure secure, reliable, and fast data transfer. They also perform edge computing, processing critical information locally to reduce the burden on cloud networks. IoT gateways are essential for any smart system.