Accepted Submissions
Civic IoT: The Life and Death of Things in Public Spaces
Duncan Wilson and Andrew Hudson-Smith, University College London
Abstract: Our weather station isn’t dead, yet. It’s in a coma. It drifts back into existence when the sun feels Mediterranean and the small solar panel generates enough energy to bring the device back to life for a few minutes, or maybe hours if we are lucky. A broken charging circuit, a fading battery and being located on the roof of a public building means the device may as well be on the moon. We are the adopted parents of this Civic Internet of Things object. A device originally installed five years ago for a project that has long since completed. We continue to look after its siblings out of a curious interest in keeping data flowing. Here we describe our design strategies around adoption, ownership, rebirth, reincarnation, narrative and loss to help create living labs with life. We also describe some of the devices we lost along the way.
Let It Go: Designing The Divestment Of Mobile Phones In A Circular Economy From A User Perspective
Flora Poppelaars, Delft University of Technology
Abstract: In a circular economy, products are maintained at the highest utility and value over time. When a user does not perceive enough remaining value in their owned product, the product should loop back into the system to be reused at a product, assembly, component or material level. This research dives in the case of mobile phones after use from a user perspective. It answers the question: How can the return of used mobile phones be stimulated through design? This research provides a better understanding of the last phase of the consumption cycle. To this end, this phase – the divestment phase – is modeled in six stages. Ten design for divestment principles are also proposed for design researchers and practitioners to consider the user perspective to improve the number of mobile phones returned after use.
Phonoshiki: An End of Life Ritual for Recycling/Refurbishing Smartphones
Sally Cloke, University of Newcastle, Australia
Abstract: This project explores the potential of incorporating funerary rituals into the end of life stages of valued smart objects in order to prompt more sustainable consumer behaviour. Phonoshiki takes elements from the Japanese gift-wrapping tradition of furoshiki and the ancient practice of interning “grave goods” to create a farewell ritual for a smartphone.
ROVA: Your Relationally Optimised Vacuum Assistant
Sally Cloke, University of Newcastle, Australia
Translational symmetry and contrasting account in abilities between IoT device and its user?
Renata Dezso, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design
Abstract: The purpose of my participation at the workshop is to explore the philosophical and strategic understanding of the translational symmetry in the ability of a user and the IoT device lifespan by applying the notion of co-Ability. How ability creates a contrasting account effecting the “death” in function while the material life of IoT objects remains in existence. Ability and Disability state is constantly changing during a lifetime, that also means highly expensive technologically engineered objects for gaining new abilities for the user often has a relatively short lifespan. Critical Disability Studies acknowledge that many posthuman transformations are already occurring everyday across the globe since our everyday life is technologically mediated. I am interested to further understand how the cycle of our ability and the ability of an object is interwoven. I suggest a process to elaborate disability culture to develop critique and offer possible solutions on non-disabled majority values in the ‘End of Life of IoT Objects’ workshop.
Interconnected Projects: New Networks/Old Routers
Kalina Ntampiza, School of Architecture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Abstract: This design portfolio showcases some projects exploring new possibilities and new networks created around IoT objects. Old routers are used to create new realities and relationships in our private and public realms.
Domestic Resonances, Modularity, and the Internet of Things
Stavros Didakis, New York University, NYU-SH
Abstract: A vast amount of Internet of Things works have been introduced the last years to the domestic space, but many of them failed to be “domesticated” and become part of the household. This paper discusses about important aspects that we need to consider when developing design strategies for IoT projects for the home, including resonances, modularity, customized developments, personalization, and enhancement of ubiquitous facilitation.
Hacking Consumer Culture, its Products, and By-Products
Erik Contreras, University of California, Davis
Abstract: The growing issues of 1) electronic waste recycling, 2) right to repair legislation, and 3) rampant consumer culture present opportunities to hack these entities for the benefit of DIYers and their communities, and provide a positive shift in consumer culture that would benefit the user. The goals of hacking these issues are to bring transparency in the relationship between the user and the producer, empower the end-user, critique mindless consumer culture, promote mindful consumption, and create a more authentic connection between end user and product. By getting more invested in the world of our products, it is hoped that end-users will be more inclined to hack, modify, repair, resell, upgrade, disassemble, repurpose, and properly recycle their products in the future. I plan to design a hardware hacking approach that will encapsulate these ideals through heuristic case studies using locally gathered electronic waste. These methodologies will be open source and promoted through social media.
Finding Closure: Why People Keep Old Computers
Caroline Foster and Gustavo Fricke, Intel
Abstract: Personal computers contribute to the massive e-waste problem, in part by remaining in people’s homes as they upgrade to new devices. There, they cannot be recycled for material nor become part of a secondary market. The following work explains a research study that explores why old personal computers are abandoned and suggests a few brief design solutions. Personal computers are cast aside without action because they have sentimental value, invoke feelings of monetary guilt, and are practically challenging to get rid of. A possible solution might be a “closing ceremony” that addresses these different problems by focusing on sentimental value. This work is meant to serve as a foundation for more detailed research and design work in this space.
Survival of Things that Fit: Adaptors As Metaphors for IoT Devices
Dan Lockton, Imaginaries Lab / Carnegie Mellon University
Abstract: This short pictorial explores some combinations of adaptors as a way of thinking about Internet of Things devices.
Unplatformed Repurposing: 'Old' Phones as a Family Craft Material
David Verweij, David S. Kirk, Open Lab, Newcastle University, UK
Kay Rogage, Kyle Montague, Northumbria University
Abstract: The increase in short-lived devices (through planned obsolescence) and the resulting e-waste prompts us to advocate for change. As we tackle this problem from a product design point of view, we argue another approach is worth exploring: unplatformed repurposing. The trend towards multifunctionality and standardisation in domestic (IoT) devices lends them to creative and craft-based reuse. We outline a need and opportunity for less-technical, family-inclusive approaches to DIY technology. We illustrate our approach through an ongoing case study that leverages the familiarity and low barrier of unplatformed connectivity using ‘old’ phones, spreadsheet programming and paper craft, to create ambient information ‘drawings’. We aim to engage the workshop attendees in a critical discussion of the potential and longevity of unplatformed approaches for appropriating ‘obsolete’ tech in domestic environments.