Towards Utilization of Low-cost Technologies in Democratizing IoT Development

This dissertation investigates the transformative potential of low-cost and open-source solutions in the Internet of Things (IoT) domain. Consequently, this study represents a step towards democratizing IoT system development, leveraging affordable tools, and fostering a more inclusive technological landscape. The dissertation discusses key attributes of Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) and Hardware (FOSH), notably their flexibility, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness, which are pivotal in democratizing IoT development.

The necessity for such tools is underscored by prevalent challenges in the IoT domain, including high costs of implementation, lack of accessibility to advanced IoT technologies, and the limitations of existing solutions. These challenges, particularly pertinent in resource-limited settings like SMEs, startups, and educational institutions, highlight a critical gap where FOSS and FOSH tools can provide accessible, cost-effective, and adaptable solutions, thereby playing a crucial role in democratizing the IoT development process and making it more inclusive across various sectors.

This work, substantiated by five scientific publications, initiates with a literature review of trends in IoT development, including the role of open-source software and hardware, and subsequently delves into real-world implementations of economical and accessible IoT tools. The Constructive Research Method (CRM) is employed as a guiding framework for this dissertation, emphasizing empirical evidence and effectively bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Key findings reveal that the trends indicate a growing relevance of low-cost and open-source IoT systems in both specialized solutions and commercial applications. Furthermore, while challenges such as interoperability and security exist, they are not exclusive to open-source tools and are industry-wide issues. The versatility, affordability, and evolving capabilities of these tools make them invaluable assets, especially for applications with lower requirements.

The research demonstrates that low-cost and open-source tools are pivotal for creating flexible, adaptive, and cost-effective IoT systems, and are not merely viable alternatives but are becoming increasingly central to the future trajectory of IoT development. Moreover, the research highlights the improving quality trends of these technologies, indicating their escalating role in IoT development.

Consequently, this study represents a stride towards democratizing IoT system development, leveraging economical tools, and nurturing a more inclusive technological landscape, contributing to this underexplored area by presenting an examination of affordable IoT solutions and their potential implications.

While the research provides invaluable insights and real-world applications, especially for entities with limited resources, it acknowledges its limitations, including the limited shelf-life of findings due to the rapidly evolving IoT landscape and concerns regarding the generalizability of insights due to a reliance on case studies.