Internet of Things (IoT) and Indoor Environmental Quality

Background

 Information Technology (IT) has become so powerful that we do not even notice it is there. Just imagine receiving a customized indoor environment control from your wearable or nearable device when you are at your own home instead of manually adjust the thermal set. Research shows that 96 percent of homes have at least one type of indoor air quality issue. An indoor air quality (IAQ) monitor can help people stay on top of that by monitoring on the levels of common pollutants real time. However, the interaction and users' experience have to be paid attention...

Intention

With the help of the smart devices control, the indoor air quality and thermal comfort can be significantly improved, which can bring a wonderful indoor environment for the people. However, most of current smart devices are lack of the interaction with the users. My project goal is to develop a new method to bring a new experience for people to use smart devices.

 The project that I would like to develop for this course is to analyze current existing IoT technologies for indoor environmental quality and try to improve the interaction experiences between devices and the users. A smart environment to monitor the air quality, including carbon dioxide concentration, air flow, speed etc. might be a path. A smart environment for the thermal comfort, including temperature, humidity might be another way. Or even a smart lighting system to provide users in the nursing homes a better living lighting environment.     

Outcomes

"In contrast to computers, humans are not good at remembering numbers, but rather very good interpreting vital signs. Therefore, this project's aim is to create a more intuitive and personal interpretation of data." (Iohanna Nicenboim) My project outcomes are mainly focus on the experience for the users and strengthen the relationship between human beings and smart devices. Also, I would like to explore and create meaningful interactions that people can even not feel the exist of the smart devices in the indoor environment.

The Architecture & Process

The first stage is the technical layer which includes algorithm selection, dataset process, and initial ideas. During this stage, case study is crucial. Based on the current studies to carry out research gaps.

The second stage is the theoretical layer which contains indoor environmental quality (indoor air and thermal comfort) standards analysis;

The last layer is the final connection and interaction part, which includes final experiments and adjustments.

Reflection

With the help of IoT technology and improved user experiences, lots of indoor environment issues can be effectively resolved to realize four dimension success: thermal comfort, air quality, human wellness, and energy-saving.

The process may not end up with a specific product or it may even end up with a improved algorithm.  However, during the whole project process, I would like to strengthen the relationship between users and smart devices. This is my main concept of the project.

References

Annesi-Maesano, I. (2015). Indoor air quality, ventilation and respiratory health in elderly residents living in nursing homes in Europe. The European Respiratory Journal, 45(5), 1228–1238.

Hayhoe, K., Sheridan, S., Kalkstein, L., & Greene, S. (2010). Climate change, heat waves, and mortality projections for Chicago. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 36, 65–73. DOI: 10.1016/j.jglr.2009.12.009.

Klepeis, N., Nelson, W., Ott, W., Robinson, J., Tsang, A., Switzer, P., . . . Engelmann, W. (2001). The National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS): A resource for assessing exposure to environmental pollutants. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 11(3), 231-52.

Grand View Research. (2019). Industrial Internet of Things Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Component, By End Use (Manufacturing, Energy & Power, Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Logistics & Transport, Agriculture), And Segment Forecasts, 2019 – 2025. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/industrial-internet-of-things-iiot-market.

Rechel, B., & European Health Property Network. (2009). Investing in Hospitals of the Future. Chapter 1 Introduction: hospitals within a changing context. P3-P7.

Sallabi, F., & Shuaib, K. (2016). Internet of things network management system architecture for smart healthcare. Sixth International Conference on Digital Information and Communication Technology and Its Applications (DICTAP), 165-170.

Seth H. Holmes, Thomas Phillips & Alex Wilson (2016) Overheating and passive habitability: indoor health and heat indices, Building Research & Information, 44:1, 1-19. DOI: 10.1080/09613218.2015.1033875.

Iohanna Nicenboim. (2014). Data Domestication. https://iohanna.com/Data-Domestication