The Internet of Things (IoT) has opened up a whole new level of product design and interaction. Anything that can be connected to the cloud, inevitably will be. But that doesn’t always mean it should be.
As we’ve seen in everything from the reinvention of the garage door opener to dirty diaper notifications, consumer-facing businesses are diving deep into interconnected products, often without fully understanding the value those connections add. In some cases, it seems a crucial question remained unanswered during the design phase.
Asking “why not?” might be a valid reason to explore a product’s feasibility, but it’s a flimsy argument on which to base an entire product line. When it comes to developing truly stand-out products, the question of “why?” is incredibly powerful. It opens up a world of possibilities, and cuts through excess noise. Why is an unbiased vehicle moving us toward the essential.
With “why not?” We find solutions to problems that may not even exist. With “why?” we find problems that can be solved with scalable solutions. Here are three of the most important whys we can ask in developing items for the IoT.
Delightful products are not going to create more problems than they solve. Along with solutions, they offer a meaningful experience that a user can appreciate as valuable. But for someone to take interest in manufacturing those products, they also need to fit into a sustainable plan.
DornerWorks has handled many IoT projects, and when clients come to us asking why they should connect their next idea to the cloud, our experience in embedded engineering becomes a valuable resource in making that decision, collaborating through development, and launching a successful product. We’re no strangers to experimentation or inventive ideas, as evidenced by previous projects, nor do we shy away from asking, why?
Product managers should consider the following areas when asking the same question.
There are few reaches of the world still segregated from wireless connectivity, all the more reason for those considering IoT integrated products. The possibilities are not limited to those who sell physical devices, either. Progressive Insurance, for example, has started offering potentially lower rates for clients who connect a small monitoring device to their vehicles, sending updates on the motorists’ driving habits. The insurance company considers when and how the vehicle is used, weighing discounts against the insights from that data.
The automotive space is rife with further opportunities for the IoT. Driverless cars are already here, and interconnected city infrastructures are on the rise. Research and advisory organization Gartner predicts that more than 250 million vehicles will be connected globally by the end of the decade, each relying on a greater number of products, and consumer expenditure. Industry, health care, aerospace, and of course, consumer segments, are also being dramatically transformed by such technology, and DornerWorks has a number of successful case studies in each.
If you’ve ever considered integrating the IoT into your design, asked yourself why, or even why not, contact DornerWorks and let us help expand that discussion. We will collaborate with you on your project, and guide your ideas to a successful launch.
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