This article reflects on the IoT Solutions World Congress (IoTSWC), held from October 29th to 31st, 2019, at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue. The event brought together over 400 speakers and 400 exhibiting companies that design and use IoT solutions. Notable participants included Dell, Ericsson, Google Cloud, Wipro, Bosch Software Innovations, GE Current, Hitachi, Huawei, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and SAS.
IoT Solutions World Congress 2019
The choice of hardware components determines technical possibilities and limitations, software compatibility, communication modules, network connectivity, and potential methods of user interaction. It directly impacts User Experience Design (UXD).
Each individual generates a significant amount of data while using mobile devices, connected cars with eCall emergency solutions, vehicle telematics, navigation systems, mobile wallets, and various smart home IoT solutions. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the concept of interconnecting physical devices embedded with sensors and software, collecting data from these devices and sending it to dedicated servers or the cloud, and transferring or sharing data over the internet. The data collected by IoT is analyzed and used by User Experience (UX) Researchers and Designers to support municipalities, enterprises, and citizens with their various goals and needs.
Hardware matters
Motion, sound, light, and image processing sensors detect information from the environment and convert it into predefined actions that are implemented by smart devices. The company IoTsens provides scalable and interoperable vertical solutions for collecting and exchanging data, connecting physical devices to maximize benefits for end-users. Their sensor-based solutions are used in households, offices, smart cities, and industries. A good example is a water metering and management system that detects damage or leakage in real time.
IoT sensor-based solutions in households
Another company, UVAX offers tailored electronics manufacturing and logistics services for a wide range of needs. They have experience in various fields, including the traffic sensor industry, swimming pool water quality monitoring and equipment, remote metrics and analysis of electricity consumption in homes, industries, and shops, controlling commercial juicers and vending machines, and pest detection in agriculture.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a remarkable presence at the IoTSWC 2019. The HPE IoT platform simplifies data management for businesses, helping them increase productivity and enhance data security. HPE also supports the circular economy and supply chain responsibility.
HPE stand at IOTSWC 2019
How to deal with so many variables?
Establishing and maintaining a coherent UX and UI design in an IoT ecosystem is a challenging task. A product development team must approach this with patience and flexibility to achieve optimal usability and interoperability within a unified UI. There are many variables to consider, including:
- A wide diversity of user groups
- Varying needs, purposes, and industries
- Different device types
- Network connectivity levels
- Multiple data types and categories
- Different operating systems
- Data security
- Resource efficiency and a “laundry-free” life
Resource efficiency & laundry-free life
How can big data help minimize the use of time, materials, energy, effort, and money while still achieving personal or professional goals?
Illustration: A modern man by Max Guther
Could you imagine an average young parent in the near future? They live in a typical smart city, with a smart home equipped with a Smart Laundry Machine. The user can start a washing program manually or via a predefined action on their smartphone. For example, the machine might begin its washing and drying cycle every Thursday at 15:00. This laundry machine is fully automated, with the capability to pull or suck in laundry from integrated storage. Such a seamless process of washing and drying would offer any user the comfort of a laundry-free life and better personal management. In practical terms, this could add at least seven extra days to the year. Woo-hoo!
UXD in IoT ecosystems
Our homes can become radically smarter, even before the era of superintelligence, when machines might know us better than we know ourselves. In the meantime, UX Designers will be focused on observing, listening, and creating for people who need to reallocate their time—moving away from repetitive tasks to more meaningful interactions with friends and family.
Her (2013): Video game sequences by David Oreilly
I’ve never accepted the repetitive and pointless process of doing laundry – I’d rather find any excuse to avoid it. Name it. My flatmate once tried to help me get inspired: “Hey, c’mon Jo, this is like meditation, look.” I agreed – for about a second. But in the end, if someone finds value in the slow moments, in any part of life, they should embrace it. Smart homes won’t become super-smart overnight. So, while we wait for the laundry machines of the future, here are some useful 👉 TIPS for all those who suffer.