The Why and How of IoT-Enabled Design
If you haven’t scrutinized Internet of Things (IoT) technology, you could easily assume it’s trendy or futuristic — a concept lacking practical application, all fluff and no stuff. That assumption might have been true even a few short years ago, but today’s IoT is getting real. With more than 55% of discrete manufacturers researching, piloting, or in production with IoT initiatives, according to software developer PTC and research firm IDC, IoT is less the wave of the future and more about the here and now. From autos and airplanes to watches and whiskey bottles, IoT applications are producing qualitative and quantitative benefits for product developers of all kinds. At LiveWorx 17 in Boston last week, attendees heard firsthand how to tap IoT for its design benefits. Presented by PTC, the event was billed as a “global technology conference and marketplace for solutions engineered for a smart, connected world” — “the largest industrial event of the year,” comprising more than 230 technical sessions; more than 100 exhibitors; and approximately 6,000 attendees, according to PTC, including dozens of international journalists and industry analysts hosted by the company. Presenters shared advice and lessons learned through their experience in IoT design, including how to build IoT strategy and effectively plan projects, and some dos and don’ts of integrating sensors in the design process to better understand how products are used and how they behave in the field. “It can open up a plethora of opportunities [when you] clearly understand how all your products are being used,” said Paul Sagar, vice-president of CAD product management at PTC. Data collected via IoT “can give you insight you never had before.” Read more…