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Concurrent Engineering Blog

6 Traits of Smart, Connected Products That You Need to Know About

Posted by Emma Rudeck on 14-Apr-2015 17:13:00
iot-securityEssentially smart, connected products are products with embedded processors, sensors and software that enable data exchange by the products and its surroundings, the manufacturers, the end user or additonal products. 
 
When it comes to thinking about smart, connected products, that are some core traits to consider. These six essential capabilities are ones to consider when thinking about creating your strategy for smart, connected products.


1. How can the product be personalise?

Personalisation means that the end user or manufacturer can tailor products before or even after a product is sold. Products, like smartphones, that are still limited in their physical diversity, are infinitely editable through their software/Apps. This means the product can be completely customised to make something which is totally unique, all at the cost of a mass-produced product
 

2. How can the product monitor its condition?

These are products that are able to evaluable their own condition, performance, and the operator’s inputs and status. For logistics companies, it’s now possible for managers can see where all of their vehicles are at any time andperformance of that equipment in real-time. It also means that diagnostic data flows wirelessly to a technicians, who may even show up at a worksite with a replacement part before a driver has even noticed a problem.

3. How does the product monitor its environment 

Products can assess the external environment through sensors and datasources. In the auto industry, Continental AG makes windshield- wiper systems with rain-sensors andsoftware that control how rapidly the wipers sweep thewindshield depending on the volume of rain.
 

4. Can the products be controlled remotely?

Products can be operated remotely in real-time. Example: The General Atomics MQ-9Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle capable ofremote controlled or autonomous flight operations. Each aircraft can stay up to17 hours at a time, while the trained crew located safely at a base steer the craft, analyse the images, and act on what they see.
 

5. Can the product be updated or serviced remotely?

Products can be serviced, updated and enhanced instantly and from anywhere. For instance, Trane, a maker of heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) systems, makes systems that contain extensive digital sensors. As a result, the company is able to sort 30percent of HVAC problems remotely without sending anyone out to the job. 

6. Is the product able to learn by itself?

Google first revealed that it had beenworking on self-driving cars in 2010. Since then, these cars have travelled hundreds of thousands of miles on public roads, and data now shows that autonomous cars drive more smoothly and more safelythan human drivers. Expanding connectivity to include other systems will also make it possible for cars to send hazard warnings to each other, adapt based on traffic and weather information, and even interact with signals as they approach intersections.
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