Hot Topics: Demanding Devices

This report draws together some of the key ideas covered at the tenth Hot Topics event, Demanding Devices: design and the internet of things.

This report draws together some of the key ideas covered at the tenth Hot Topics event, Demanding Devices: design and the internet of things.

Key findings:

  • The difference between the old world of devices and the Internet of Things is about opening up data silos, according to Usman.  Data can be opened up and access given to others.
  • Matt Jones believes the future will see ‘companion-centred design’ – smart assistants that experience the world alongside us and enhance our capabilities. 
  • Usman argues we should abandon the idea that smartness resides in the device or the building – instead we should build devices that can converse with us and make us smarter.
  • The Internet of Things is not just the province of large companies: it’s also being driven by the individual developers and creators who are interested in data important to them.

‘Internet of Things’ is a phrase to describe internet-connected real world devices.

 

With the Internet of Things comes the prospect that everything from phones to fridges, boilers, energy meters and the television will be demanding attention from us. It won't be possible to pay attention to everything that is generating data, so we will need a different approach to interfaces and information. Making sense of and making use of these data streams will demand great new ways of engaging with data and devices.

 

Hot Topics is a series of Nesta events focused on the new ideas and technologies that will change business and society in the next few years.  Our tenth Hot Topics event brought together two pioneers in the field: Usman Haque, director of Haque Design + Research Ltd, founder of Pachube.com and CEO of Connected Environments Ltd; and Matt Jones, formerly at the BBC, Dopplr and Nokia, and now a principal at design agency BERG.

 

This report draws together some of the key ideas covered on the day, with further examples, links and videos available on the event resources page.

 

Author:

Nesta