Pioneering IoT with Applied Research: A Roadmap to Technological Excellence
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The Internet of Things (IoT) is more than just a convergence of sensors and smart devices. It represents a complex blend of hardware and software, enabling a spectrum of applications from descriptive and prescriptive analytics to business intelligence, operational technology dashboards, and digital twins. These applications transform everyday objects, whether it's a coffee maker or an industrial robot arm, into sources of valuable real-time data.
The art and science of IoT lie in the meticulous selection of methodologies and components. Crafting an effective IoT system is a specialized task, requiring not only technical acumen but also a strategic business perspective. It involves a careful balance between choosing the right sensor, microcontroller, power source, network protocol, database, or dashboard, each decision critical to the system's overall performance and efficiency.
This intricate blend of technology and strategy has captivated me since I first encountered the term IoT. It's a dynamic and innovative industry, where my passion and focus have been deeply invested over the past year. Allow me to take you through this fascinating journey in the ever-evolving world of IoT.
Throughout this year, I have dedicated my efforts to developing a methodology for IoT projects, grounded in applied research principles. This methodology incorporates frameworks such as the Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), which assess the technical and commercial maturity of technological developments. Additionally, I've integrated considerations for fidelity levels and types of prototypes essential for an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) development roadmap. This roadmap approach ensures steady progress and clear milestones in project development.
The aim of this methodology is multi-fold. It is designed to equip senior college students with 'frontier' knowledge skills, especially in emergent technologies like IoT, through a project-based learning approach. Students work in interdisciplinary teams, applying this framework to design solutions for real-world problems identified at the semester's outset.
This journey has been a blend of excitement, joy, and challenges. The excitement comes from the adrenaline of each class session being an iteration, prepared just a week in advance – a process that felt more like a series of experiments. The joy is evident in witnessing the results and the high level of professionalism my students have demonstrated in their submissions, a clear indicator that our approach is working effectively.
As for the challenges, they are numerous enough to warrant a separate article. A significant hurdle was finding the right 'glue' to meld the scientific approach with the business development essence of the projects. This integration was not as straightforward as one might think, requiring a delicate balance between academic rigor and practical application.
As we approach the semester's final sprint, we are now focused on documenting the work in the format of an IEEE conference paper. The culmination of our efforts will be showcased at a final project event, attended by key figures from academia, research, and industry. This will be a moment to celebrate the journey, the learnings, and the remarkable efforts of the students.
Initially an academic endeavor, my next objective is to extend these methodologies into the realms of industry and business. Through this article, I aim to share this rich and multifaceted adventure, and I am eager to hear from others who have embarked on similar ventures.
It all begins with a proper introduction to applied research and its distinction from classical research. The objective of applied research is to design a solution to a problem or to develop a robust project for a business opportunity, focusing on the practical application of knowledge gained through classical research methods. Once this distinction is established, an intensive introduction to the foundations of IoT becomes essential. In a short period, students familiarize themselves with the various elements of an IoT system, such as sensors, microcontrollers, and protocols, as mentioned in the initial paragraphs of this text. This study is conducted alongside an examination of real-world IoT applications across different industries, facilitating the identification and understanding of those technical elements.
Next, we delve into the business aspect. One significant challenge is encouraging engineering students to embrace the business dimensions of technological projects. I, too, have been guilty of this oversight; it's easy to be enamored with a technology that doesn't necessarily add value to a project. No matter how appealing a new development board may be, its use must be justified by solid business and technical reasons. This principle applies equally to other components of an IoT system's infrastructure, such as databases and data protocols. The essential questions revolve around efficiency, performance, and scalability.
Once students accept this fundamental rule, we introduce the concept of value creation, which presents another layer of complexity due to their technical background bias. Numerous frameworks are available for defining value creation in IoT. One of my preferred approaches is by Bruce Sinclair in his book 'IoT Inc.,' which outlines four avenues: making existing products better, operating products more effectively, supporting products more efficiently, and innovating new products. He also suggests an IoT product/service template that includes the value proposition, the model (an abstraction of the environment viewed as an equation), the application (the system's actual construction), and, critically, the analytics. In my view, analytics is one of the most crucial components, as it is foundational for creating tangible, long-term value with IoT. After cementing this business-oriented perspective, it's time to define the projects.
The project begins to take form with the development of a clear problem statement, the identification of the need for research, and the formulation of a precise research question. These critical elements stem from project definition tools such as problem cards, guiding the selection of appropriate project management methodologies. In the process of defining their projects, students leverage well-defined user stories and acceptance criteria to establish their project management tools and outline their tasks. These tasks include assigned accountability and specified due dates, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. A Kanban board is created and used in conjunction with SCRUM methodology to manage the forthcoming sprints.
In summary, the sprints are strategically designed to streamline the project development process:
- Sprint 1: Preliminary research and project design
- Sprint 2: MVP Development
- Sprint 3: Testing and Data collection
- Sprint 4: Analysis and Improvements
After completing these sprints, the project culminates with detailed documentation, adhering to the IEEE conference format, and the creation of a showcase video for our concluding session. This gathering, featuring esteemed guests from both academia and industry, not only celebrates our achievements but also highlights the practical applications of our methodology.
This journey, while academically driven, lays a foundation for broader applications in the corporate and industrial IoT landscape. The skills and insights gained through this process are ripe for application in a more industrial setting, where the fusion of academic rigor and market-driven innovation is increasingly valued.
As this article series unfolds, we will explore the adaptability of these methodologies to the corporate realm, underscoring their utility beyond academic confines. This exploration mirrors my own professional journey, where I am actively seeking opportunities to bring this unique blend of academic and practical IoT expertise to forward-thinking organizations.
Your engagement and perspectives are eagerly welcomed as we bridge the gap between academic theory and industrial practice in IoT. Should you wish to discuss potential collaborations or opportunities where my expertise could contribute to your organization's IoT initiatives, I invite you to reach out at hector@edmundormz.com or reach out to me via LinkedIn.
Let us embark on this voyage together, charting new paths in the IoT domain and shaping a future where education and industry join forces to drive innovation and growth.
ER