Using Crowdsourcing to Develop Ideas and Test IoT Products

Crowdsourcing has been used in the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) in a variety of ways, including gathering data, testing and improving products, and generating new ideas. Some examples of big companies that have used crowdsourcing in the development of IoT include:

GE: In 2011, GE launched the “GE Smart Grid Challenge,” which invited developers and entrepreneurs to submit ideas for using data from the smart grid to improve energy efficiency.

Philips: In 2014, Philips launched a crowdsourcing platform called “InnovationOpen,” which invited consumers to share ideas for new products and services related to connected lighting.

Samsung: In 2016, Samsung launched an IoT crowdsourcing platform called “SmartThings Open Cloud,” which allowed developers to create and share new apps and services for the SmartThings platform.

Bosch: In 2018 Bosch launched an IoT platform for the crowd called “Bosch IoT Suite” which allows connecting, controlling and monitoring devices over the internet.

These four examples illustrate how crowdsourcing can be used to gather new ideas and insights from a wide range of stakeholders, including developers, entrepreneurs, and consumers, to help improve and develop IoT products and services.

Here are some further examples of how crowdsourcing has been used in developing the Internet of Things across three specific business sectors:

• Crowdsourced data collection: IoT devices such as sensors and smartphones can be used to collect data on various parameters such as air quality, traffic, weather, and which apps people are using. This data can then be shared with other users and organizations to help improve decision-making and planning in commerce and government.
• Crowdsourced device and app testing: IoT devices and software can be tested by a large number of users before they are released to the market. This can help identify any issues with them, and lead to improved functionality and user experience.
• Crowdsourced security: IoT devices can be vulnerable to cyber attacks, and crowdsourcing can be used to identify and report cybersecurity issues.