Alex Deschamps-Sonsino has challenged Dunedin to generate IoT solutions that meet local needs.
About 130 people gathered at Otago Polytechnic earlier this month to hear from the international designer and Internet of Things influencer. While in Dunedin Alex Deschamps-Sonsino also met with the Dunedin City Council and the SIGNAL ICT Graduate School, who co-sponsored her visit.
Thomas Laurenson briefly introduced the Internet of Things - objects embedded with small computers that can gather and transmit data - and explained the research work our staff and students are doing to set up a free long range low power wifi network in Dunedin.
Alex then provided many examples of connected things and how they can deliver value for our society, by helping us understand the world around us better and control it more. New behaviours are enabled, which raises issues that need to be addressed - how much control do we allow others to have over us, for example employers tracking employees. She is leading work on development of an IOT "mark", a framework of standards which connected objects should meet, including data security.
Alex also sees that the Internet of Things provides an opportunity to build local community. The technology is available globally, the learning is available globally, so we are not dependent on the solutions which global corporations might offer, but can produce our own home-grown solutions to local issues.
Alex suggested an IoT meetup, like she set up in London; a monthly gathering of those interested in developing the Internet of Things in Dunedin. The first of these was held on 26 July 2017 with about 40 people attending. Please let us know if you would like to receive notifications of future IoT meetups in Dunedin.