1-3 Smart Device Research

More and more IoT devices have become available over the past few years. Many of the new products unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) are smart devices.

VIDEO: Everything Cool at CES 2017 (focus on smart devices)

Understanding existing products is an important part of the research phase when designing a new product. This is called competitive analysis. This type of research helps you better understand what's possible to create with the technology, what existing products offer to users, and where there may be opportunities for new or better products.

Competitive Analysis word cloud

YOUR TASK

Research the design of any existing smart device of your choice (other than a smartphone or smart thermostat - also no computers, tablets, TVs, Blu-Ray/DVD players, game consoles, or headphones).

The smart device could be a consumer product (such as wearable device, smart home device, or smart car technology) or could be a smart device system for use in businesses, industry, cities, transportation systems, infrastructure, or environmental monitoring.

Here are some resources to help find a smart device to research (but you are not limited to these - also you will want to find a product website and articles about the product):

• IOTLIST - browse examples of consumer IoT products
• Internet of Things Examples - for body, home, city, industry, and the environment
• The Best Smart Home Gadgets of CES 2017

Research the smart device in order to create and deliver a presentation to the class that includes the following:

1. Introduce the product (include images), and give your description of the product’s value proposition.
2. Summarize the key functions and features of the product, as well as its benefits for people.

3. Give your description of the target users for the product, and provide a brief scenario (story) of the product being used. The target user description would include: demographics (age, gender, family status, etc.), current frustrations or problems that product helps solve, important needs or values that product helps fulfill, etc.

4. Show your system model for the product, and explain how its parts work together. Your system model should include the product's inputs (sensors, etc.) and outputs, as well as any web services or apps that interact with the product.
5. Provide links to the specific information sources used in your research.

Your presentation to the class should be about 2-4 minutes in length (about 5-10 slides). Make sure both the visual and verbal portions of your presentation are clear and engaging. Be prepared to briefly respond to questions or comments from the audience.