We often become unaware of the smart devices we use daily, despite their constant connectivity and data generation. These familiar devices tend to fade into the background, yet they remain actively engaged with a common database, producing a continuous stream of data. In recent observations, I’ve noticed that users automatically connect to these networks whenever possible, highlighting our inherent reliance on this digital infrastructure. This has led me to consider new ways to engage with this secondary data, presenting it in a more open-ended and unobstructed manner.
IoT devices integrated into our daily lives continuously collect data, often without our conscious awareness. This valuable domestic data, akin to dust, is omnipresent yet often goes unnoticed until we deliberately observe it. I propose an innovative ambient approach to making this data perceivable and meaningful.
One potential approach lies in Wi-Fi routers, which are traditionally seen as simple gateways for internet access. However, routers can also be treated as IoT devices, capable of gathering information about the other connected devices within the network. Rather than simply acting as conduits for connectivity, these routers could be leveraged to provide insights into the behaviors and interactions of the devices they support. By tapping into this central point of connection, we can visualize secondary data in real-time, offering users a deeper understanding of the network activity happening around them.