This document discusses the Internet of Things (IoT) and its implications for design. It begins with background on the evolution of the IoT vision from tracking individual items to a proliferation of devices with computing power. It then covers various applications of IoT like self-quantification, remote monitoring and control of devices, and new insights from aggregated sensor data. Finally, it discusses challenges and opportunities for designers working with IoT, such as preventing information overload and ensuring user focus remains on real-world experiences rather than screens.

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Making Meaningful
Design with the
Internet of Things
Webvisions Portland 2013

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Making meaning
in an internet of
things
IxD13 Conference Toronto

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Making meaning
in an internet of
things
IxD13 Conference Toronto

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Making meaning
in an internet of
things
IxD13 Conference Toronto

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Online
@carladiana_
@smart_ixdlab
smartinteractionlab.com
smartdesignworldwide.com

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So, what is it, exactly?

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Physical devices, digital presence
Dynamic, networked, cloud-enabled
sensors actuators
Data
storage
Computing
Feedback and
visualization

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Henry Holtzman, MIT Media Lab
Original IoT vision was a database of tagged items that could be tracked
IoT then

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Henry Holtzman, MIT Media Lab
IoT now
What we didn’t anticipate is the many devices we would have with computing power

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Henry Holtzman, MIT Media Lab
The vision is no longer having to say “here’s what I’m doing and here’s why I’m doing it, now help me”

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The perfect storm:
robotics
affordable sensors
object tagging
wireless communications
broadband

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Making meaning
in an internet of
things
IxD13 Conference Toronto

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What does this mean for design?

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During 2008, the number of things
connected to the Internet exceeded
the number of people on earth.
By 2020 there will be 50 billion.
- Cisco Systems

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Industry categories
Energy Connected Home Lifestyle Home Health Care
Sports Finance Automotive Entertainment

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Visions

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The mavericks:
throwing spaghetti at the wall

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Ninja blocks

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Karotz, Nabaztag

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Where do we find meaning?

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Turning things into knowing
?
?
?
?
?

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me!
myself others the world
Knowing about…

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data
information
knowledge
wisdom
Hierarchy of meaning

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About myself
Training
Self control
Mindfulness
Behavior change
Identity
me!

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The quantified self

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The quantified other: pets & plants

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The quantified other: pets & plants

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Training (real time and reflective learning)

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WiThings scale, BP
monitor

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Self control

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Self control

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Mindfulness

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Mavia System
Behavior change

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Identity

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About others
Virtual presence
Sharing
Team dynamics
Health care

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Virtual presence

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Sharing

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Team dynamics

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Health care

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Aging in place

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About our surroundings
Exposing the Invisible
Remote monitoring and control
Accessing the inaccessible
Microscopic/macroscopic

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Exposing the invisible

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Exposing the invisible

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Exposing the invisible

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Nest Thermostat
Remote control

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Philips Hue
Remote control

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Remote control

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Remote monitoring
This is my new #Twine helping me
thaw ground bison for supper

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iGrill
Remote monitoring

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Remote monitoring
images: Twineprojects.com
My @nest thermostat died. Ironically
it was my Twine that alerted me to
the cold house. Thanks for saving
my pipes.
After a fire/smoke scare at my
apartment last year (thanks, idiot
neighbor) I wanted a smoke
detector that could email/SMS/
tweeting. The plan is to use Twine.

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Belkin Wemo
Remote control

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Energy Hub
Remote control and monitoring

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Remote monitoring
Twineprojects.com
http://www.rtlasersafety.com/workplace-industrial-signs.php
At work 12 of us pitched in to get the
Twine in order to monitor the
availability of the bathroom.

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Microscopic/Macroscopic

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Self control
Mindfulness
Training
Behavior change
Identity
Virtual presence
Sharing
Team dynamics
Health care
Remote monitoring/control
Accessing the inaccessible
Exposing the invisible
Macroscopic/microscopic
Knowing…
me!
myself others the world

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Bringing us back to the here and now

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Nate
The screen and
keyboard were our
training wheels for
how data can really
become part of our
lives

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And a few things to keep in mind

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Information overload is never fun

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Life now, data later

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Context is everything

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Communication defines personality

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Playing nice with others

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Knowing when to borrow the screen

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Methods:
trying it out and making it happen

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Hacking what’s out there

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3G
Lowest friction
WiFi
In a home, office (not moving)
Bridge
Router
BT4
Zigbee
IRF
Tethered (USB, headphone)
NFC (trusted network)
RFID

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Something fun

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Resources

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Tech resources: smartinteractionlab.com
Arduino ethernet shield/
wifi shield
Nanode
Microsoft gadgeteer Electric Imp
Netduino

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Inspiration and learning: smartinteractionlab.com
Articles
http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/The_Internet_of_Things_2538
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/sunday-review/the-internet-gets-physical.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.cityinnovationgroup.com/1/post/2011/3/essential-reading-11-articles-about-the-future-the-internet-of-
things.html
http://www.ge.com/mindsandmachines/?gclid=CIvZ3_608rQCFa5QOgodfn8AKg
Books
http://www.amazon.com/Everyware-Dawning-Age-Ubiquitous-Computing/dp/0321384016
http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Things-Ubiquitous-Computing-Experience/dp/0123748992
http://www.amazon.com/SmartStuff-introduction-Internet-Things-ebook/dp/B008DDW2U2/ref=sr_1_6

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New tools emerge every day

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Say Hello!
@carladiana_
smartinteractionlab.com
carla.diana@smartdesignworldwide.com

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Comparing IoT Services
From Building Internet of
Things with the Arduino
Charalampos Doukas
service features Free/open
cosm Visualize and store
sensor data online
Yes/no
Nimbits Data logging on the cloud y/y
Thingspeak Visualize and store
sensor data online
y/y
iDi Device cloud platform y/n
SensorCloud Visualize and store
sensor data online
y/n
Open.Sen.Se Internet of everything
platform
y/n
Evrythng Software engine and
cloud platform
y/n
Manybots Collect and manage info
from various devices
y/n
Openthings

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