{"id":30036,"date":"2024-10-10T13:58:31","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T11:58:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.codemotion.com\/magazine\/?p=30036"},"modified":"2024-10-10T13:58:33","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T11:58:33","slug":"the-iot-journey-from-prototype-to-app","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.codemotion.com\/magazine\/iot\/the-iot-journey-from-prototype-to-app\/","title":{"rendered":"The IoT Journey: From Prototype to App"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you know those famous Christmas family dinners? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ones straight out of a movie, full of relatives you might have seen just once during the year, maybe by chance at the shopping mall. Uncles and aunts who sit next to you and try to understand what you do with “computers” (and inevitably ask if you can fix something on their phone or laptop too).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, I know, it\u2019s a clich\u00e9<\/em> from the 2000s and might not mean much to the younger crowd, but for those who\u2019ve been there, well, it\u2019s an unmistakable emotional mix. We\u2019re in 2024, true, and everyone seems to be a “computer expert” now (even that aunt\/uncle!), but there\u2019s still a moment when that old feeling of “why me?”<\/em> resurfaces. It\u2019s when I have to explain what it means to work in IoT development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The acronym is familiar: the famous Internet of Things<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But often, the magic word smart<\/strong> is just added to the name of a device, transforming a passive, silent object into something alive and able to communicate. It\u2019s like giving a digital soul to the objects around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, with Christmas around the corner and all the relatives getting ready to ask me what I really do with “computers,” I thought I\u2019d practice a little and share my experience with the Codemotion community, explaining what developing for IoT really means. Or at least try to…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the simplest way to introduce the topic is to better define its scope. IoT might seem like a niche field, and in some ways, it is, but it has infinite facets. It\u2019s a vast system, reminiscent of the “long tail” in the SEO world: you start with a simple flower pot, and you end up with a push notification on your phone that says: “Hey, remember to water me!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"water<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The process covers every type of object: anything can become \u201csmart\u201d and start providing data of any kind. A watch, beyond telling the time, could monitor our oxygen levels, body temperature, and the number of steps we take each day. A refrigerator could inform us about the internal temperature, the state of the food, and even remind us when it\u2019s time to toss out the milk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sensor next to a cluster of grapes could gather detailed data to produce the perfect Prosecco, while a bike in a ride-sharing service might have so much telemetry that a Formula 1 team would envy it\u2014perhaps even with bidirectional communication!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I was saying, there are endless domains and perspectives in which an object can become smart. In this sea of possibilities, it\u2019s my job to guide you through what it means to develop an IoT device, going through all the phases\u2014from prototyping to integration, and finally to managing the data that, in the end, is the true soul of every connected object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From prototype to production<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The creation of an IoT device, or \u201csmart device,\u201d begins by distilling the requirements and defining the final data it will need to provide. This preliminary analysis helps identify, broadly, the necessary sensors, required physical ports, and whether an electrical outlet or a battery will power the device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iot
Electronic circuit board with processor and wires, close view<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bill of materials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This initial phase allows us to define the Bill of Materials (BOM), which is the list of components required to create the final product. Choosing the right components is crucial: you need to consider market availability, compatibility, technical specifications, and cost. Efficient BOM management is essential to optimise production costs and ensure the device can be produced on a large scale without issues. For example, a microcontroller with multiple integrated connectivity options (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc<\/a>.) can simplify development but increase the per-unit cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prototype<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Often, an initial iteration involves creating a hardware prototype to physically validate the project and identify potential limits or issues before moving on to optimisation and scaling. Rapid prototyping platforms like Arduino<\/a>, ESP32<\/a>, or Raspberry Pi<\/a> are commonly used to reduce initial time and costs, allowing us to test and validate concepts before transitioning to more specific and customised solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another critical aspect is the design of the enclosure, or the device\u2019s casing. This must be not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and resistant to the expected usage conditions. For example, a device intended for underwater use will require certified waterproofing (e.g., IP68 standard), while one for winter sports must withstand extreme temperatures and shocks. At this stage, ergonomic and industrial design studies come into play, considering even the user interface of the device (display, buttons, visual or auditory feedback, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost studies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In parallel, we conduct cost studies and market analysis. It\u2019s crucial to accurately estimate production and development costs to establish a final price and evaluate the product’s economic viability. This phase often requires assessing the expected production volumes and economies of scale. The analysis must also consider different production scenarios, including certification costs, especially for products intended for regulated industries like medical or automotive sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Architecture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to communication methods, IoT devices can use different technologies, each with specific advantages and limitations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n