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Connected Objects, Connected Places
designing fluid ecosystems
Milan, March 18th, 2014
Pier Paolo Bardoni!
welcome!
we design the connected world
things.is a physical/digital design agency
the Italian web landscape
WEB USERS IN ITALY
31MILLIONS
55%
DAILY USERS
93%
LESS THAN
25 YEARS OLD
60%
MORE THAN
54 YEARS OLD
74%
23M
15%
4.7M
+29%
+8.1M
23%
7.1M
7%
2.2M
53%USE SMARTPHONES
22%USE TABLETS
+41%
USE SMARTPHONES
FOR SOCIAL NETWORKS
SOURCE: ITALIA 2.0 Report Nov. 2013!
78%ARE ON SOCIAL
+1 +500
MILLIONSBILLION
WORLD
INTERNET USERS
SOCIAL TRENDS
MOBILE WEB
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
we are experiencing a paradigm shift
"My colleagues and I have built what 

we call tabs, pads and boards: 

inch-scale machines that approximate
active Post-It notes, foot-scale ones
that behave something like a sheet of
paper (or a book or a magazine), and
yard-scale displays that are the
equivalent of a blackboard or bulletin
board".
!
Mark Weiser, 1991
The Computer for the 21st Century
UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING
“next comes ubiquitous computing, or the
age of calm technology, when technology
recedes into the background of our lives"
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
tabs
pads
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
boards
ANYTIME

ANYPLACE

FOR 

ANYONE
ANYTIME

ANYPLACE

FOR 

ANYTHING
yesterday tomorrow
THE EVOLUTION OF THE CONNECTIVITY
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
today
(somewhere

in the middle)
SOURCE Cisco IBSG, Apr 2011; NOTE: these estimates do not take into account rapid advances in
Internet or device technology; the numbers presented are based on what is known to be true today.
CONNECTED
DEVICES
WORLD
POPULATION
CONNECTED
DEVICES
PER PERSON
2003 2010 2015 2020
0.08 1.84 3.47 6.58
6.58 billion 6.80 billion 7.20 billion 7.60 billion
12.5 billion 25.0 billion 50.0 billion0.5 billion
MORE CONNECTED
DEVICES THEN PEOPLE
2020: BILLIONS OF CONNECTED OBJECTS
62020
MORE THAN
CONNECTED
DEVICES
PER PERSON
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
the design of connected objects
DESIGN IS NOT JUST ABOUT SHAPE
BUT IS ABOUT BEHAVIOUR
4 KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF 

CONNECTED OBJECTS
#sensing the world

!
Objects should be able to “perceive”
the world around them through sensors.
SENSE-ABLE1
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
SOURCE: LIFX: The Light Bulb Reinvented http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/limemouse/lifx-the-light-bulb-reinvented
it is a tiny, beautifully designed
personal environment monitor that
connects with your phone to measure,
collect and analyze the hidden qualities
of your surroundings.
Lapka
SOURCE: LIFX: The Light Bulb Reinvented http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/limemouse/lifx-the-light-bulb-reinvented
Bracelet with a minimalist design with a
complementary mobile app that tracks
how you sleep, move and eat. You can
even track progress and set goals in
real-time.
Jawbone UP
#sharing data 

!
Objects should be able to communicate their
status and share data across networks.
SOCIAL
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
2
a family of connected lamps lets you
communicate the act of coming back
home to your loved ones, remotely
Good Night Lamp
messaging system that allows you to “talk”
with your appliances. You can tell them
what to do or ask them questions about
their activities.
LG HomeChat System
!
#exchanging things

!
Objects should be able to be shared with
friends. Friends can use your data and your
objects itself.
SHARED3
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
it makes your
electronic door locks
more secure and
allows you to create
and manage virtual
keys from anywhere
with your
smartphone or
computer.
Sclak
first wearable, sharable, programmable and
100% cotton t-shirt. it could be shared on
your facebook status and your tweets, your
favourite songs and pictures
TshirtOS
#designed without harming the
environment

!
Objects should be able to communicate how
they can be used, repaired, reused or recycled.
4 SUSTAINABLE
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
it allows you to capture the energy
dissipated while cycling and braking
and save it for when you need a bit of
a boost. It also maps pollution levels,
traffic congestion and road conditions
in real-time.
The Copenhagen Wheel
A simple easy-to install sensor that
identifies water waste and leaks
indoors and out. The information can
also identify potential problems
before they become serious.
Belkin Echo Water
APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS
FOOD
CARS
HOME
TRANSPORTATION
TOYS
HEALTH
GADGETS
SHOES
CLOTHES
CITIES
the upcoming connected places
The adoption of ubiquitous computing,
the diffusion of mobile devices and the
availability of big data are changing
how we live, work, and play in domestic
and urban places.
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
Increasingly, a digital landscape overlays
the physical world expanding information
flows, enhancing people relationships and
enabling a new smart society.
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
Places are completely connected and
become multiple interlaced ecosystems
where people and objects are, at the
same time, the platform, the network,
the sensors & actuators, and interfaces.
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
PEOPLE
OBJECTS
& SERVICES
PLACES
private home
bus stop
supermarket
car parking
neighborhood
...
CONNECTED PLACES, HYPOTHETIC SCENARIO
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
CONNECTED PLACES ARE
FLUID ECOSYSTEMS
OF PEOPLE AND OBJECTS (& SERVICES)
PHOTO BY: Shutterstock / zhu difeng
key drivers for successfully
designing objects
DESIGN IS ABOUT
BEHAVIOUR
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
DESIGN IS ABOUT PEOPLE & OBJECTS
BEHAVIOUR
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
TO DESIGN THESE NEW PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES WE NEED A NEW APPROACH
WE NEED TO SHIFT FROM FOCUSING ON
THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES TO
OUTLINING THE NEEDS AND MOTIVATIONS
OF PEOPLE.
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
WHAT ARE THE KEY DRIVERS FOR
DESIGNING CONNECTED OBJECTS?
seamlessly connect the physical & digital
create a relationship btwn user & product
realize new business models
think of an ecosystem from the start
© THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
© Copyright 2014



THINGS srl



Registered office:

Viale Papiniano 44

20123 Milano ITALIA



P.IVA/Vat no. 08360540960



http://things.is
Operating office: 

Via Bartolomeo Panizza 7

20144 Milano ITALIA



For inquiries, please contact

Pierpaolo Bardoni

pier.bardoni@things.is
thank you! follow us
@pierbardoni
@THINGS_IS
https://www.facebook.com/THINGS.IS

More Related Content

Connected Objects, Connected Places. Design Fluid Ecosystems.

  • 1. Connected Objects, Connected Places designing fluid ecosystems Milan, March 18th, 2014 Pier Paolo Bardoni!
  • 3. we design the connected world things.is a physical/digital design agency
  • 4. the Italian web landscape
  • 5. WEB USERS IN ITALY 31MILLIONS 55% DAILY USERS 93% LESS THAN 25 YEARS OLD 60% MORE THAN 54 YEARS OLD 74% 23M 15% 4.7M +29% +8.1M 23% 7.1M 7% 2.2M 53%USE SMARTPHONES 22%USE TABLETS +41% USE SMARTPHONES FOR SOCIAL NETWORKS SOURCE: ITALIA 2.0 Report Nov. 2013! 78%ARE ON SOCIAL +1 +500 MILLIONSBILLION WORLD INTERNET USERS SOCIAL TRENDS MOBILE WEB © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 6. we are experiencing a paradigm shift
  • 7. "My colleagues and I have built what 
 we call tabs, pads and boards: 
 inch-scale machines that approximate active Post-It notes, foot-scale ones that behave something like a sheet of paper (or a book or a magazine), and yard-scale displays that are the equivalent of a blackboard or bulletin board". ! Mark Weiser, 1991 The Computer for the 21st Century UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING “next comes ubiquitous computing, or the age of calm technology, when technology recedes into the background of our lives" © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 8. tabs pads © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 10. ANYTIME ANYPLACE FOR ANYONE ANYTIME ANYPLACE FOR ANYTHING yesterday tomorrow THE EVOLUTION OF THE CONNECTIVITY © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved, today (somewhere in the middle)
  • 11. SOURCE Cisco IBSG, Apr 2011; NOTE: these estimates do not take into account rapid advances in Internet or device technology; the numbers presented are based on what is known to be true today. CONNECTED DEVICES WORLD POPULATION CONNECTED DEVICES PER PERSON 2003 2010 2015 2020 0.08 1.84 3.47 6.58 6.58 billion 6.80 billion 7.20 billion 7.60 billion 12.5 billion 25.0 billion 50.0 billion0.5 billion MORE CONNECTED DEVICES THEN PEOPLE 2020: BILLIONS OF CONNECTED OBJECTS 62020 MORE THAN CONNECTED DEVICES PER PERSON © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 12. the design of connected objects
  • 13. DESIGN IS NOT JUST ABOUT SHAPE BUT IS ABOUT BEHAVIOUR
  • 14. 4 KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF 
 CONNECTED OBJECTS
  • 15. #sensing the world ! Objects should be able to “perceive” the world around them through sensors. SENSE-ABLE1 © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 16. SOURCE: LIFX: The Light Bulb Reinvented http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/limemouse/lifx-the-light-bulb-reinvented it is a tiny, beautifully designed personal environment monitor that connects with your phone to measure, collect and analyze the hidden qualities of your surroundings. Lapka
  • 17. SOURCE: LIFX: The Light Bulb Reinvented http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/limemouse/lifx-the-light-bulb-reinvented Bracelet with a minimalist design with a complementary mobile app that tracks how you sleep, move and eat. You can even track progress and set goals in real-time. Jawbone UP
  • 18. #sharing data ! Objects should be able to communicate their status and share data across networks. SOCIAL © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved, 2
  • 19. a family of connected lamps lets you communicate the act of coming back home to your loved ones, remotely Good Night Lamp
  • 20. messaging system that allows you to “talk” with your appliances. You can tell them what to do or ask them questions about their activities. LG HomeChat System
  • 21. ! #exchanging things ! Objects should be able to be shared with friends. Friends can use your data and your objects itself. SHARED3 © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 22. it makes your electronic door locks more secure and allows you to create and manage virtual keys from anywhere with your smartphone or computer. Sclak
  • 23. first wearable, sharable, programmable and 100% cotton t-shirt. it could be shared on your facebook status and your tweets, your favourite songs and pictures TshirtOS
  • 24. #designed without harming the environment ! Objects should be able to communicate how they can be used, repaired, reused or recycled. 4 SUSTAINABLE © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 25. it allows you to capture the energy dissipated while cycling and braking and save it for when you need a bit of a boost. It also maps pollution levels, traffic congestion and road conditions in real-time. The Copenhagen Wheel
  • 26. A simple easy-to install sensor that identifies water waste and leaks indoors and out. The information can also identify potential problems before they become serious. Belkin Echo Water
  • 30. The adoption of ubiquitous computing, the diffusion of mobile devices and the availability of big data are changing how we live, work, and play in domestic and urban places. © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 31. Increasingly, a digital landscape overlays the physical world expanding information flows, enhancing people relationships and enabling a new smart society. © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 32. Places are completely connected and become multiple interlaced ecosystems where people and objects are, at the same time, the platform, the network, the sensors & actuators, and interfaces. © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 33. PEOPLE OBJECTS & SERVICES PLACES private home bus stop supermarket car parking neighborhood ... CONNECTED PLACES, HYPOTHETIC SCENARIO © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 34. CONNECTED PLACES ARE FLUID ECOSYSTEMS OF PEOPLE AND OBJECTS (& SERVICES) PHOTO BY: Shutterstock / zhu difeng
  • 35. key drivers for successfully designing objects
  • 36. DESIGN IS ABOUT BEHAVIOUR © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 37. DESIGN IS ABOUT PEOPLE & OBJECTS BEHAVIOUR © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 38. © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved, TO DESIGN THESE NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WE NEED A NEW APPROACH
  • 39. WE NEED TO SHIFT FROM FOCUSING ON THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES TO OUTLINING THE NEEDS AND MOTIVATIONS OF PEOPLE. © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 40. WHAT ARE THE KEY DRIVERS FOR DESIGNING CONNECTED OBJECTS? seamlessly connect the physical & digital create a relationship btwn user & product realize new business models think of an ecosystem from the start © THINGS 2014 | all rights reserved,
  • 41. © Copyright 2014
 
 THINGS srl
 
 Registered office:
 Viale Papiniano 44
 20123 Milano ITALIA
 
 P.IVA/Vat no. 08360540960
 
 http://things.is Operating office: 
 Via Bartolomeo Panizza 7
 20144 Milano ITALIA
 
 For inquiries, please contact
 Pierpaolo Bardoni
 pier.bardoni@things.is thank you! follow us @pierbardoni @THINGS_IS https://www.facebook.com/THINGS.IS