IoT is an inevitable part of our digital lives. From smartphones to IoT devices, we are living and working in this world of connected things. The Internet of Things (IoT) is about more than digital devices connecting to the net.

The Internet of Things will have a significant impact on the way we live and work. We are already experiencing the effects of IoT in fields such as manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and Internet of Things studies.

Read on to find out how you can design user experiences for IoT that people love.

The IoT is too big to navigate

That means there is a lot of new technology to navigate – both for people and devices. That adds up to a lot of information to process and a lot of devices to keep in mind.

This can be especially true for people who are new to technology or who are trying to navigate complex devices and networks.

Things don’t have the same user experience as they did 5 years ago

Beyond the hardware and software changes, the user experience (UX) of devices will change as well. In the past, users may have interacted with devices through a single user interface (UI) that was located at the device. This may have been a computer or smartphone app. Now, with the addition of IoT devices, users may expect to use a variety of devices in their everyday lives, including smart home devices, fitness trackers, and commercial devices.

Multi-user experiences will also become more common, with users increasingly expected to use multiple devices while using an IoT system. This may include a mix of web, mobile, and IoT apps.

We expect that UX will also evolve with the addition of new functionality, both in the form of new devices and in the form of new ways to connect devices.

People use multiple devices in their lives

People are currently using the Internet of Things (IoT) for two main purposes: to access services and to connect their devices to other devices. However, people are also using the IoT for other purposes, including controlling their devices, sharing experiences, and creating new applications. We expect this to continue as users want to connect more devices and gain more functionality.

Keywords such as health and fitness trackers, smart home devices, and cars are becoming more popular with consumers. Other popular usage patterns include using the IoT to control home devices, controlling devices from a computer or a mobile device, and using the IoT to share experiences.

We expect these usage patterns to remain strong as people want to connect more devices and gain more functionality.

IoT devices need to be secure

Beyond the obvious security measures such as passwords and security questions, manufacturers also need to consider the security of the device’s data.

There are many ways to go about this – from using software to access the Internet of Things to more established security solutions. Software-based solutions are often good for initial setup and expansion, but they do not scale well to the large number of devices required for an IoT system.

Software-based solutions are often cheap for small systems, but for large-scale applications, they can be very expensive.

The Internet of Things is still in its infancy

As with most new technologies, the Internet of Things has disadvantages as well as advantages. One of the biggest challenges of IoT design today is creating a system that works with limited functionality. This is especially true in the early stages of the technology development life cycle when startups are trying to find their footing.

There are, however, some advantages of IoT to companies in the infancy of the technology: The ability to test products in a real-world environment. This is especially important for startups that are exploring new technologies such as IoT.

Bottom line

The Internet of Things is a growing trend. From smart homes to factories, we are living and working in this world of connected things. The design and user experience of the Internet of Things HCI (Human-Computer Interfaces) needs to take this into account.

Distracted Users

Distracted users cause many problems in the digital age. They include those who are not using the necessary tools, such as a smartphone, computers, and other IoT devices, as well as those who are using the tools either too frequently or for the wrong purpose. It is critical for UX designers to figure out what aspects of the user experience are most important to the distracted user, and then design around those issues.

“Distracted” users are those who are not paying attention to the content in front of them. While we still see the classic “read this article first” scenario, we are also seeing people reading content in other places, such as on their smart home devices, healthcare devices, or fitness tracker.

Old Skills Need to Change

We have to ask ourselves: Do we need to do this the old way, or can we do it better with these new skills?

To make the most of the new capabilities of the IoT, we have to let go of the past and learn new skills.

For example, RFID scanners used to require a network connection. Nowadays, they can communicate with the scanner over the cloud, which greatly reduces the amount of human interaction needed. In contrast, in the old days, we would place our RFID tags in a supermarket and then check the tags every time we bought a product. This was a lot of human interaction and we had to place our card in a machine and touch the screen every time we wanted to checkout.

IoT is Network-Based

The Internet of Things is being implemented through networks, not just computers. And, as with most things in the digital age, the Internet of Things has advanced with technology. We are seeing more and more connected devices both inside and outside our homes. There are now devices connected to our cars, our irrigation systems, our refrigerators, and other machines. Some of these objects have built-in sensors and actuators that can control household electronics or turn on the lights when we drive by a certain address. These are only a few of the many examples where the Internet of Things interacts with a network.

People Are Becoming Automation

As we integrate more devices into our lives, we also become more automating. We are seeing more automation in our daily lives, both in products and inhuman activities. The automation of production is bringing up fears among unions that automation will replace workers. In response, companies have started to automate their supply chains by creating factories where machines make all the decisions.

IoT is Not for the faint of heart

IoT requires serious design thinking, which is different than traditional UX design.

Some challenges lie in everyone’s path. The rewards of success will be worth it.