We can interact with each other in subtle ways: a touch, a glance, a whisper, a scent. More modern interactions are the poke, the like, the follow and the swipe. This IPRO project takes the stance that humans can be better connected through more natural interfaces. Given the state of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology, it is possible to connect people through internetworked, physical interfaces that engage one’s senses in ways our current social networks do not. Research themes in the course include, but are not limited to current work in IoT, human computer interaction, telepresence, online culture and the psychology of communications.
Students work in interdisciplinary teams to explore the problem space, propose solutions and build functional prototypes. The final deliverables of the class are a physical prototype and a preliminary business model for the idea.
This course applies user-centered design methods for designing and developing Internet-of-Things products. The course has two main threads: the design process and a hands-on introduction to an IoT platform and the hardware & software ecologies and economies around it. The course considers the roles that the open source community can play in product development and the contribution teams can make in that community.
