Key takeaways:
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- User-centric design is crucial for IoT device adoption and success.
- Key design principles: simplicity, integration, privacy, accessibility, reliability, improvement, efficiency, and scalability.
- When developing an IoT app, you may face several challenges: data management, regulations, costs, legacy systems, interoperability, and hardware limitations.
- These trends are shaping the future of IoT development: ML-driven personalization, voice/gesture controls, 5G, longevity, and smart city integration.
Getting started with IoT design
The Internet of Things (IoT) design is about making smart devices that easily fit into our daily lives. These devices collect data and analyze it to automatically perform useful actions.
With IoT connections expected to more than double from 13.8 billion in 2021 to 30.9 billion by 2025, the competition is fierce. User-centered design becomes the most important factor when people choose an IoT device.
And this applies to both devices and apps. Good IoT design aims to create smart devices that are easy to use, work well, and are secure.
IoT apps let users control, monitor, and automate various IoT devices from a single mobile interface. Well-designed IoT apps offer an intuitive experience, making it easy to manage connected devices.
Key components of IoT design
Effective IoT design considers the whole system — the physical device, the software it uses, how users interact with it, and how it displays information.
IoT hardware
IoT hardware refers to the physical devices and sensors that gather data and perform actions. These devices can range from simple sensors that monitor environmental conditions to complex machines that perform specific tasks.
External contractors typically handle the actual design and production of IoT hardware stations. When it comes to IoT development, you’ll need to find a suitable one, to ensure the hardware meets the project’s requirements.
IoT device firmware
Firmware is the low-level software that runs on IoT devices, enabling them to function properly. It includes the basic instructions that allow the device to boot up, communicate with other devices, and perform its intended tasks.
In most cases, the development of firmware is also managed by the manufacturer of the IoT devices. They have the necessary expertise and resources to design, implement, and maintain the firmware for their products.
However, there may be instances where custom firmware development or modifications are required to meet specific application needs or integrate the IoT device with a unique system. In such cases, working with an experienced IoT app development company can be beneficial.
Embedded device software
Embedded device software is the application layer that runs on the IoT device itself. This software is responsible for processing data collected by the device and executing commands.
It often includes user interfaces that allow users to interact directly with the device. For example, a smart thermostat might have a touchscreen interface that lets users set temperature preferences. At an event station, this software could load data from your ticket and direct you to the appropriate zone.
Web/mobile application software
Through web and mobile applications, users can interact with and monitor IoT devices. These applications allow users to monitor device status, receive alerts, and control devices from anywhere. For instance, a mobile app for a smart home system might enable users to turn lights on and off, adjust the thermostat, and check security cameras.
IoT is not only about smart coffee makers and thermostats. The not-so-obvious application of IoT is tracking data from stun guns.
| ⭐ Our experience
One of our projects involved designing and developing a desktop app for a stun gun manufacturer. The app analyzes data collected by the stun guns, such as discharge count, time, duration, and power. We focused on creating an easy-to-use interface inspired by the Call of Duty UI, with dark shades, contrasts, and highlighted charts. The goal was to create a versatile app, so we used Electron.js, allowing it to run on Mac, Windows, and Linux. The project included responsive design and thorough hardware testing, resulting in a completed app that the client is thrilled with.
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6 core principles of IoT design
Let’s examine the six fundamental principles of successful IoT design. These principles will ensure that your projects are efficient, scalable, and user-friendly.
1. Simplicity and intuitiveness
IoT products should be designed with the user experience in mind from the ground up. A clear and intuitive user interface means simple language, meaningful icons, and a logical menu structure for quick navigation.
Setting up IoT devices should also be a seamless process. Incorporating guided tutorials, preferably with images or videos, can walk users through the initial setup. Automatic setup options and accessible troubleshooting guides would further enhance the onboarding experience.
2. Privacy and security
IoT devices handle sensitive user data and potentially be accessed remotely. Implementing strong encryption methods is crucial to protecting data at rest and in transit. Secure login mechanisms like multifactor authentication can also help prevent unauthorized access to the devices.
Security is especially vital if the app and device handle sensitive payment information.
| ⭐ Our experience
Vendify is an IoT application designed to interact with smart vending machines that sell fresh food. Users add their bank cards, scan a QR code on the Vendify fridge, and the fridge door opens. The fridge tracks the items taken and sends this data to the app, allowing users to review and return items before paying. Developed for business centers and hotels, the app was developed with React Native and integrates Stripe for payments. However, we had to tailor the Stripe library to European SCA requirements.
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Beyond technical safeguards, educating users on security is equally important. You should provide clear information on security settings, remind users to change passwords regularly, and teach them how to avoid possible threats.
3. Reliability and performance
It’s important to thoroughly test IoT devices while developing them to find and fix problems before selling the product. Adding backup systems and ways to switch to a backup can help keep devices working even if something goes wrong.
Alongside gathering user input, you should prioritize regular software updates to address issues and introduce improvements. Implement over-the-air firmware updates so that users can install the latest versions. Establish robust support processes like remote management, device identification, and troubleshooting guides.
4. Continuous improvement
By conducting surveys and closely analyzing how people use the products, you can gain valuable insights into what users like and dislike. This user-centric approach helps identify areas for enhancement such as fixing problems or adding new features.
5. Energy efficiency
IoT devices should use as little power as possible. This helps batteries last longer and reduces harm to the environment. You can achieve this by creating efficient hardware and adding power-saving features to the software. For example, devices might turn off certain functionality when not in use or use low-power design.
6. Scalability and future-proofing
Designing IoT devices with scalability in mind means they can adapt to technological advancements. This involves modular hardware designs, over-the-air update capabilities, and selecting components with long-term availability.
The supporting network infrastructure must also be scalable to handle the growing number of connected IoT products and the increasing data volumes they generate.
To future-proof successful deployment, it’s important to have features like remote device management and flexible integration with existing systems and data repositories.
8 main steps of IoT design
These steps ensure the final product meets the needs of its users and addresses real-world problems.
1. Come up with the app concept
At the start, you need to clearly define the problem your project will solve. Research the target market to identify issues that need addressing. This focus helps create an effective solution for real-world needs.
It’s also important to know your app’s users. Through market research, you will learn the target audience’s demographics, preferences, and behaviors. This information helps tailor the app to their needs, making it valuable and relevant to their lives. Similarly, factors like age, technology familiarity, and lifestyle will heavily define the app design.
| ⭐ Our experience
For example, when we designed a powerbank renting app, we discovered that the target audience was young people from major cities. That’s why we tailored the UI/UX around this demographic.
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2. Conduct market research
Start researching the market by learning about existing IoT solutions. Do they cover all customer needs, or is there a market gap? Analyze their strengths and weaknesses, finding opportunities for your app to excel. This will potentially be the app’s UVP (unique value proposition).
A project discovery phase will help you validate that UVP. This step involves evaluating its potential impact, and ensuring it meets user needs and market trends.
We always interview potential users during project discovery for our clients. This information helps us improve the concept, spot potential issues, and enhance the app’s value before starting development.
| ⭐ Our experience
Our client’s idea of an AI dating app seemed trendy at first. But when the research started, we found out it didn’t resonate with the target audience at all. The app was supposed to use AI to help people craft profile descriptions, create opening lines, and suggest the best-looking photos. However, the results showed that although people struggle a bit with these things, they don’t need AI’s help.
After more research and calculating unit economics, we advised the client not to develop the app. Although the project discovery cost $3,000, it saved them $40,000 on developing a potential flop. |
3. Design the user interface
App design starts with creating wireframes and mockups to visualize the layout and functionality. This helps plan the UX and make necessary adjustments early in the design process.
The app’s design should be both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Consider color schemes, typography, and iconography to create a cohesive and engaging design. Then, you need to test the designs with potential users to gather feedback and refine the interface.
Designers usually choose Sketch or Figma to create detailed mockups showcasing visual elements and interactions.
4. Study the device
When starting the actual development process, the most important step is to learn about the IoT device’s hardware parts and how it communicates. This helps ensure the device and app work well together. You also need to study the device’s features, like how much processing power and memory it has and how it connects to networks.
Next comes figuring out how the app will interact with the IoT device. This means understanding how they’ll share information and what they need to connect. Other considerations include the ways to keep data safe, how users will prove who they are, and how to update information quickly between the device and app.
| ⭐ Our experience
When working on EnerGO, we were very close to taking the power station apart piece by piece. The manual didn’t help, and we had to contact the manufacturer directly to find out how to communicate with the station. Eventually, the development team reverse-engineered the code and discovered that they couldn’t deploy the station as it was. The reason was the IP address, which couldn’t be changed. The project manager got on a call with the manufacturer, who showed them all the steps, and then the team worked everything out.
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5. Set up a cloud server
The app’s functionality depends on the infrastructure that supports it. This requires a cloud server to store and process data.
However, no cloud service provider will do so. We recommend choosing one of the top key market players — AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
The choice of a cloud provider will depend on the project requirements. Look at its growth, security, and cost. This will ensure that IoT applications have a strong and reliable foundation.
After that, you can set up a cloud server to keep data safe, handle it well, and support your app’s needs. Use methods to encrypt data, so others can’t read it, create ways to back up and recover data, and make the server work efficiently to handle all the data your IoT solution will use.
6. Develop the IoT application
Begin developing the IoT app by selecting appropriate programming languages and frameworks that suit your project’s specific requirements. For instance, languages like Python, JavaScript, or C++ are commonly used in IoT development thanks to their versatility and robust libraries.
To ensure smooth data flow, you need to establish seamless connectivity between the app, IoT devices, and the cloud server. This involves understanding the unique needs of each device, such as data transmission capabilities and power constraints.
Develop and implement APIs and communication protocols that enable effective interaction between the app, devices, and server. To optimize performance and efficiency, you also need to consider the data format and frequency of data transmission.
7. Test the IoT app
Perform usability testing with real users to find issues, get feedback, and evaluate user experience. This ensures the app is easy to use and meets user needs. For the best results, use various testing methods such as task-based scenarios and think-aloud protocols to understand user behavior.
Use feedback from testing to fix bugs, improve usability, and enhance performance. Implement a cycle of testing and improvement to address user concerns.
For example, if users find a particular feature confusing, redesign it based on their feedback and test the new version to ensure it resolves the issue. This iterative process is crucial for developing a reliable, high-quality IoT solution.
Additionally, performance testing should be conducted to ensure the app can handle the expected load, including stress testing to determine its limits.
Once everything is in place, launch the IoT app to your target audience.
8. Monitor and maintain the IoT app
After launch, consistently evaluate the application’s performance to ensure optimal functionality. Use analytics and user input to monitor usage patterns and identify potential issues. For example, tools like Google Analytics or AWS CloudWatch can provide valuable insights into how users interact with the app, highlighting areas that may require attention or improvement.
Collect user feedback regularly to gain insights into their experiences. This feedback can reveal common pain points, desired features, and overall satisfaction levels.
6 difficulties in designing IoT solutions
IoT solutions can be tricky. Here are the main problems you may face, along with potential solutions:
1. Large volumes of data
IoT devices continuously collect and transmit data, which can quickly accumulate to massive amounts. To handle the influx of information, robust data storage solutions and efficient data processing capabilities are required.
Solution: Use cloud storage solutions and edge computing or employ data compression techniques.
Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform provide excellent cloud services
2. Regulatory and compliance issues
IoT solutions must comply with regulatory and compliance requirements, which can vary by region and industry. These regulations often cover data privacy, security, and the ethical use of data. For example, non-compliance with HIPAA in healthcare can result in legal penalties, and damage the company’s reputation.
Solution: Stay informed about relevant regulations and incorporate compliance checks into the development process.
3. Cost and resource constraints
Developing IoT solutions requires significant investment in hardware, software, and infrastructure. Small and medium-sized enterprises may find it challenging to allocate the necessary resources for IoT development. Additionally, the costs associated with maintaining and updating IoT systems can be substantial.
Solution: Explore cost-effective development platforms and open-source software.
4. Legacy systems
Legacy systems may not be compatible with new IoT technologies. The integration process can be time-consuming and costly and may introduce security vulnerabilities.
Solution: Conduct thorough assessments of existing systems and identify integration points. Use middleware solutions to facilitate communication.
5. Interoperability
Interoperability is the ability of different IoT devices and systems to work together seamlessly. With a wide variety of IoT devices and platforms available, ensuring they can communicate and operate together is a significant challenge. Lack of interoperability can lead to fragmented systems, reducing the overall effectiveness of IoT solutions.
Solution: Adopt industry-standard communication protocols and data formats.
Industry-standard communication protocols
6. Hardware limitations
IoT devices often have hardware limitations, such as limited processing power, memory, and battery life. These constraints can impact the performance and functionality of IoT solutions. Additionally, ensuring that devices remain functional and reliable over extended periods, even with limited resources, is a critical challenge.
Solution: Optimizing software for efficiency and minimizing resource consumption.
The future of IoT device design
IoT design is changing as new development trends emerge. Overall, these trends are about making IoT devices easier to use, better connected, and smarter.
Personalized user experience through machine learning
IoT systems use machine learning to analyze user behavior and preferences, creating personalized experiences. For instance, smart home devices can learn daily routines to optimize energy use and make recommendations. Smart lighting can adjust brightness and color based on time, movement sensors, and user location, enhancing comfort and convenience.
Voice-activated controls and assistants
Voice-activated controls make devices like smart speakers, thermostats, and security systems more accessible and convenient. Integrating voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri allows hands-free interaction. This enables users to play music, set reminders, and control smart home devices with voice commands.
Adoption of 5G for faster and more reliable connections
5G’s high data transfer speeds and low latency enable real-time communication between IoT devices, enhancing performance. This is particularly beneficial for applications that require instant data processing and response. For example, autonomous vehicles can communicate with each other and traffic infrastructure in real time, improving safety and efficiency on the roads.
Number of 5G subscriptions worldwide from 2018 to 2029 (in millions) according to Statista
Designing for longer device lifespans
Designing for longer device lifespans is becoming a priority. This involves using durable materials, optimizing energy efficiency, and ensuring that devices can be easily updated. Extending the lifespan of IoT devices not only reduces electronic waste but also provides better value for users. Their devices remain functional and relevant for longer periods.
IoT and smart city ecosystems
IoT devices and sensors are used to monitor and manage various aspects of city infrastructure, such as traffic flow, power consumption, waste management, and public safety. By creating interconnected systems, smart cities can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance residents’ quality of life. IoT design in this context focuses on scalability, interoperability, and data security to ensure that smart city solutions are robust and reliable.
Conclusion
Designing effective IoT solutions requires considering the entire ecosystem, including hardware, software, user interfaces, and data visualization. By focusing on simplicity, security, accessibility, and sustainability, you can create IoT devices that work well and improve user experience.
We at Purrweb specialize in developing scalable IoT apps. If you need help with designing an app for a power station, home security system, or other smart device, contact us.
