Eavesdropping on IoT, a showroom approach
This project aimed to provoke feelings of cautiousness and skepticism towards home IoT. Through 4 sound sketches and a research poster, we urged for sonification of home IoT data to 'unhide' the intangible Internet activity of IoT artefacts.
While much can be said about the aim and approach, like the focus on 'insidious motives' of IoT artefacts instead of corporate motives behind IoT artefacts, sonification of data in the home is an interesting approach in making our relations to smart technology data embodied. Designing for embodiment & feeling in relation to smart home technology and data enables us relate in richer ways to these topics. Intangible data streams become noticeable and through sound(scapes) humans might become more sensitive to the digital rhythms in the smart home. Internet-connected devices' 'background lives' would come forward and challenge us to think of the value they bring to our lives.
How might the sonified data streams impact us?
- Will IoT artefacts become somewhat akin to birds singing songs in the hours just before we wake up?
- Will we take moments to check on the 'data traffic' going on in our houses and wonder about the routes, destinations, and messages?
- Can a more sensory relation to Internet-connected devices draw us into speculating on how our relations with them will change us over time? And what kind of change we would like to see?
Eavesdropping (sonification) is one way to explore these questions. Alternatively; Aesthetics of the here & now, interactive materiality, & rich interaction support exploring this question through physical and dynamic form.