Internet of Things

The research group "Internet of Things" (IoT) deals with all aspects in the context of the conception and design of modern IoT applications. On the one hand, the focus is on the technical implementation of business models. On the other hand, decision-making in the context of human-machine interaction is to be addressed.

The integration of new internet-based technologies from the IoT environment results in new forms of communication (e.g. combinations of operation via keyboard and touch, speech as well as gestures & facial expressions). Therefore, the role of humans as decision makers is especially important. Central questions in this area address the extent to which IoT systems can and should make decisions independently.

In detail, the research group is focusing on the following areas:

1. IoT - applications (Smart Products & Services)

The implementation of IoT applications requires a holistic approach to business and technical aspects. Even the development of business models that are then concretized in business processes and the appropriate organization requires a technical understanding of the structure and architecture of IoT applications.

At the level of IoT devices, a wide variety of components can be found, such as microcontrollers (e.g., Arduino), sensors, actuators, human interface devices (e.g., keyboards, tablets, smartphones).

Here, the focus of the research group is on the application and targeted use of these basic technologies. This also includes device connectivity, networking and communication of IoT devices. Through IoT platforms, integration to existing ICS systems is possible.

Only by understanding this holistic interaction of all components is the successful implementation of new types of business models possible.

2. Decision-making in IoT-scenarios

If one analyzes the information flows and communication paths within IoT applications, it becomes obvious that communication and decision-making play a central role in this human-machine system. This applies both to industrial applications, such as Industry 4.0 implementations, and to other areas of life, such as the use of IoT in healthcare.

On the one hand, due to the large amount of information, it is often not easy to process it appropriately at short notice. On the other hand, the data basis acquires a new quality through real-time data. In existing ICS systems, decisions are often made on the basis of historical data, but in the environment of real-time data, decisions can be made "at runtime".

For decision preparation and the final decision, methods of artificial intelligence, operations research and business intelligence are used. Thus, decisions can be (partially) automated or the raw data is prepared for decision making by humans. Together with human knowledge and experience, targeted decisions can be made. Only through the close interaction of all sub-areas does an application of the technological possibilities appear promising.

The research group would like to contribute to this by analyzing the role of humans in this environment and by defining the framework conditions for (partially) automated decisions.