Designing For The End of Life of IoT Objects

Lechelt, Susan and Gorkovenko, Katerina and Soares, Luis and Speed, Chris and Thorp, James and Stead, Michael (2020) Designing For The End of Life of IoT Objects. In: DIS: Designing Interactive Systems 2020 :. ACM, NLD, pp. 417-420. ISBN 9781450379878

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Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) and ubiquitous computing are leading to an increase in objects with a short lifespan - either through breakage, “bricking” by the manufacturer, or discontinued use by the owner. This leads to a surplus of material and e-waste that cannot or is not readily recycled, upcycled or otherwise reused, aggravating material scarcity. In part, this is due to custom-built hardware, and use of unrecyclable materials. However, it is also due to the limited value people place on these objects (e.g., sentimental and environmental). This one-day workshop will explore how the configuration of values designed into IoT objects influences the end-user practices of disposal, recycling and upcycling. Through this lens, we will collectively consider potential design strategies that can be instilled during the process of design, to support the continuity of the material life of IoT objects after their “death”.