GENERATION: Self Powered IoT for People and Planet
Lead Research Organisation:
Swansea University
Department Name: College of Engineering
Abstract
Interconnected technologies, sometimes referred to as the internet-of-things (IoT) are now ubiquitous in society. The energy consumption of such devices is predicted to be over 1100 TWh yr-1 by 2025 and it has been recognised that smart solutions, such as energy harvesting, need to be developed, to make the operation of such devices more sustainable. Light, having the highest power density of any ambient energy source, can be exploited using photovoltaics, designed with specialist materials to extract as much energy as possible from ambient light sources. The rate of adoption of IoT technologies has been extraordinarily rapid. This favours affluent early adopters of such technologies but could leave certain marginalised and excluded groups (e.g. older persons and those in poverty) behind.
GENERATION will assemble a multidisciplinary team of Materials Chemists, Electronic Engineers, Human Computer Interaction experts and Social Scientists, to design, build, and evaluate; sustainable, self-powered interactive technologies, specifically with older persons in mind, so that they are not excluded from the digital future, and not lost in the digital divide. The work will challenge the multidisciplinary team in new ways. Materials Scientists and Engineers rarely have the opportunity to consider first-hand, the social consequences of the technologies they develop, or how those technologies could benefit a marginalised population. Social Scientists and Human Computer Interaction experts will have the opportunity to design and evaluate, the most cutting edge of self-powered IoT technologies. The technologies will be developed via a series of community co-design workshops run with a diverse cohort of older people. The devices will be built by our team of engineers and scientists and will be evaluated in the Swansea University AWEN Institute Living Laboratory, a space dedicated to co-producing products, services and environments for an increasing older population, as well as in SPECIFIC-IKC's "buildings as power stations", buildings which generate and store their own energy. In addition to the inclusive, self-powered, digital technologies developed, our findings from the community co-design and evaluation workshops will be summarised in a report made freely available to third sector organisations and governmental and non-governmental bodies to inform and make recommendations on reducing the digital divide for an ageing population.
GENERATION will assemble a multidisciplinary team of Materials Chemists, Electronic Engineers, Human Computer Interaction experts and Social Scientists, to design, build, and evaluate; sustainable, self-powered interactive technologies, specifically with older persons in mind, so that they are not excluded from the digital future, and not lost in the digital divide. The work will challenge the multidisciplinary team in new ways. Materials Scientists and Engineers rarely have the opportunity to consider first-hand, the social consequences of the technologies they develop, or how those technologies could benefit a marginalised population. Social Scientists and Human Computer Interaction experts will have the opportunity to design and evaluate, the most cutting edge of self-powered IoT technologies. The technologies will be developed via a series of community co-design workshops run with a diverse cohort of older people. The devices will be built by our team of engineers and scientists and will be evaluated in the Swansea University AWEN Institute Living Laboratory, a space dedicated to co-producing products, services and environments for an increasing older population, as well as in SPECIFIC-IKC's "buildings as power stations", buildings which generate and store their own energy. In addition to the inclusive, self-powered, digital technologies developed, our findings from the community co-design and evaluation workshops will be summarised in a report made freely available to third sector organisations and governmental and non-governmental bodies to inform and make recommendations on reducing the digital divide for an ageing population.
Publications
Seunarine K
(2024)
Light power resource availability for energy harvesting photovoltaics for self-powered IoT
in Journal of Physics: Energy
| Description | Empowering Ageing Well: A Community-Co-Created IoT Toolkit for Older Adults |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Description | 1st community co-creation workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The first community co-creation event, was a collaborative workshop designed with the goal of engaging older adults in the co-design of self-powered Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for enhancing the experience of "Ageing Well". This workshop was part of the GENERATION project's broader effort to create sustainable, inclusive digital technologies that cater specifically to the needs of older adults, thereby addressing the digital divide and promoting digital inclusivity. The primary purpose of this workshop was to gather insights and input directly from older adults regarding their perspectives on home-based IoT systems. The event aimed to explore and identify meaningful home activities that could benefit from being supported by IoT technologies, focusing on those that contribute to a sense of well-being, social connectedness, and personal growth. The workshop involved a series of group discussions and interactive sessions where participants were encouraged to share their views on existing home technologies, as well as their visions for what an ideal, supportive, and non-intrusive home IoT system could look like. Participants were also introduced to a range of self-powered sensor technologies and asked to brainstorm and suggest applications of these technologies in their daily lives, especially in ways that could support their hobbies, social activities, and other meaningful home-based engagements. Outcomes and Impacts: Insightful Feedback for Design: The workshop provided valuable feedback that informed the subsequent design and development phases of the project's IoT toolkit. This includes the types of activities older adults find meaningful and how they envision technology supporting these activities without infringing on their privacy or autonomy. Empowerment and Inclusivity: By involving older adults in the design process, the workshop empowered this demographic, ensuring that the developed technologies are truly user-centered and tailored to their specific needs and preferences. Increased Awareness and Interest: Similar to the example provided, the event sparked discussions and interest among the participants regarding the potential of technology to support aging well. It fostered a sense of community among the participants and increased their interest in and awareness of IoT technologies. Informing Future Research: The insights gained from this event have not only influenced the GENERATION project but also have the potential to inform future research and development efforts aimed at creeating more inclusive and supportive digital environments for older adults. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | 2nd community concretion workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The second community co-creation event, was a follow-up workshop organized as part of the GENERATION project. This event built upon the insights and feedback gathered from the first co-creation workshop, with a focus on further refining the concept design for self-powered Internet of Things (IoT) technologies tailored to the needs and preferences of older adults. The aim was to deepen the engagement with older adults in the development of IoT solutions that enhance the experience of "Ageing Well". This workshop aimed to surface more detailed insights into the home activities that are meaningful to older adults and explore how the proposed IoT system could more accurately reflect and support these activities. It sought to involve participants in a more hands-on exploration of potential applications for the technology, enabling a closer alignment between the project's outputs and the actual needs of older adults. Activities and Engagement:Participants were introduced to prototypes of the sensors and displays developed based on feedback from the first workshop. They engaged in activities designed to map out how these technologies could be integrated into their daily lives to support activities related to hobbies, socialization, and home management. The workshop facilitated discussions around the practical implementation of these technologies, privacy considerations, and the aesthetic integration of devices into the home environment. Outcomes and Impacts: Refinement of Design Concepts: The feedback and ideas generated during the workshop were instrumental in refining the design of the IoT toolkit, ensuring that the devices were not only functional but also aligned with the aesthetic and practical preferences of older adults. Enhanced Participant Engagement: The hands-on nature of the workshop and the opportunity to interact directly with the prototypes increased participant engagement and investment in the project. This led to more nuanced feedback that enriched the project's development. Increased Technology Acceptance: Through direct involvement in the design process and seeing their ideas and concerns addressed, participants showed an increased willingness and interest in adopting the developed technologies in their own homes. Contribution to Academic and Practical Knowledge: The outcomes of this workshop provided valuable insights into co-design practices with older adults, contributing to the academic literature on participatory design and human-computer interaction. These insights have practical implications for designing technology that is more inclusive and accessible to older populations. Community and Relationship Building: The event fostered a sense of community among participants and between participants and researchers, facilitating ongoing dialogue and collaboration. This relationship building is crucial for the sustained engagement and success of community-centered design projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Deployment of technologies into older adults homes. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | The deployment of the "Older Generation: Self-powered IoTs and 'Ageing Well'" technologies into older adults' homes involved installing a system of self-powered sensors and displays in two households for a period ranging between two to four weeks. This activity aimed to explore how such technologies could be integrated into the daily lives of older adults to support independence, monitor well-being, and enhance their quality of living through non-intrusive means. The deployment sought to gather real-world insights into the usability, effectiveness, and acceptability of the IoT system. It was designed to provoke reflection on daily routines and potentially encourage healthier or more engaged lifestyles among older adults. The deployment involved detailed planning, including identifying suitable locations and objects within the homes for sensor placement, based on the inhabitants' routines and preferences. Follow-up visits were conducted to collect data and gather feedback from the participants. Outcomes and Impacts: Customization and Flexibility: The activity highlighted the need for customizable solutions that could adapt to various home environments and personal preferences, leading to adjustments such as the addition of safety containers for sensors to address potential hazards. Behavioral Insights: Preliminary findings suggested that the system prompted participants to reflect on their home use and routines. For instance, the mechanical noise from sensors reminded one participant to turn off appliances, indicating the potential for promoting energy-saving behaviors. Engagement and Interaction: Participants engaged with the system multiple times daily, indicating a high level of interest. The deployment also sparked discussions about privacy and technology acceptance among participants and their visitors. Narrative and Structured Summaries: Alternative presentations of data, including narratives generated by ChatGPT, were well-received for providing entertaining, accurate, and insightful reflections on participants' daily lives, though they also surfaced limitations related to generative AI. This deployment demonstrated the potential of self-powered IoT systems to support older adults in aging well, offering valuable insights into designing technology that is both beneficial and acceptable to this demographic. While some technical and design challenges were identified, the overall positive engagement from participants suggests a promising avenue for future research and development in this area. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Interview with Co-PI Professor Matt Jones (ITV Wales) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Professor Matt Jones was interviewed by ITV Wales about his recent EPSRC fellowship (EVE - Everyone Virtuoso Everyday), in which he mentions work on GENERATION. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Professor Matt Jones interviewed by Anne Boden (CEO Starling Bank) as part of her Founders of the Future documentary series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Prof Matt Jones, co-Investigator of the GENERATION project, was interviewed by the CEO of Starling Bank as part of her In Founders of the Future documentary series. The purpose of this interview was to showcase innovative research initiatives that are shaping a digital future inclusive of all society segments. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |