With the advent of microprocessors, hardware prototyping boards and affordable networking tools, we are starting to see a new class of products emerge that provide a network as their main value proposition. These connected devices will become part of a digital grid that could affect every facet of our daily lives. Sensor devices will monitor our health, track our daily activity, and remotely monitor aging family members. A connected home will reduce monthly utility bills and tell us when to water our plants. Smart cities will light their streets more efficiently, receive instant reports on hazards, and even help residents find a nearby parking spot. This course will explore how to create useful, usable and desirable object experience.
In this hands-on, lab-based course students will explore new opportunities for designing networked objects. The course focuses on conceptualization of products/services, making prototypes and validating their effectiveness through user testing. Design challenges will help students define constraints when given specific persona and contextual constraints.