Embedded Systems for the Internet of Things In Product Design Education

Abstract

The objective of this work identified whether there is a need to incorporate the Internet of Things (IoT) into the product design curriculum at the Loughborough Design School. Initial research into the subject area comprised an extensive literature review into the origins, growth, challenges and enabling technologies for the IoT. Furthermore, this work explored literature around IoT within the current curriculum and for product designers and graduates, however. Whilst this work considers the possibilities and capabilities through various visions and methods of application, the fundamentals of the technical side are considered in order to understand these possibilities for the IoT as a subject. A mixed-method research approach was design which used a structured questionnaire survey for product design students and interviews with design lecturers. The results revealed a majority agreement into the need and interest for the Loughborough Design School to incorporate IoT subject matter, however, with much debate (Ruhini, 2012) and discussion into how this may be envisioned. The work conclude with implementation through a mixed approach between basic technical teaching of microcontroller design applications combined with project-led problem based learning allowing students to combine their design skills into product concepts and prototypes in order to realise and develop the future Internet of Things. (Engk, 2014) (Hamblen, 2013).