Top Challenges in Connected Device Development and How to Overcome Them

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Top Challenges in Connected Device Development
and How to Overcome Them

Anil Janardhanan Writes for Gadgeon.com, a
technology partner for legacy modernization and
medical device engineering, powered by high
performing teams with product mindset and agility.
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We live in an era where connectivity is at the
heart of innovation. From smart homes to
autonomous vehicles, connected world has made it
possible for devices to communicate, collaborate,
and deliver seamless experiences. This
interconnectedness transcends traditional
boundaries, enabling real-time data sharing,
remote monitoring control, enhanced automation,
and smarter decision-making. At the centre of
this transformation lies the Internet of Things
(IoT), driving the evolution of connected devices
and ecosystems. However, developing these
devices comes with a unique set of challenges.
Lets delve into the top hurdles developers face
and explore strategies to overcome
them. Security and Privacy Concerns Connected
devices are prime targets for cyberattacks due to
their always-on nature and access to sensitive
data. A single vulnerability can compromise an
entire ecosystem, putting user data and
operational integrity at risk.

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• Solutions
• Implement robust encryption Use end-to-end
  encryption to protect data in transit and at
  rest.
• Regular firmware updates Ensure devices can
  receive and install updates to address emerging
  vulnerabilities on a continuous basis.
• Adopt secure protocols Utilize secure
  communication protocols like HTTPS, MQTT over
  TLS, and DTLS.
• Conduct security audits Regular testing of
  devices for potential vulnerabilities through
  penetration testing and code reviews.
• Adopt secure coding practices There are many
  coding practices that minimizes the security
  risks such as ensuring all user inputs are
  validated and sanitized to prevent injection
  attacks, using strong authentication mechanisms,
  such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), not
  exposing detailed error messages to users, as
  they may reveal sensitive system information, and
  using trusted sources for third-party libraries
  and frameworks.

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• Secure build and deployment processes Automate
  security checks within the CI/CD pipeline. Ensure
  builds are signed and verified to prevent
  tampering. Use containerization to isolate
  applications and reduce attack surfaces.
• Adopt the principle of least privilege Limit
  system and user permissions to the minimum
  required for functionality only.
• Interoperability Challenges
• With a multitude of devices, platforms, and
  communication protocols in use, ensuring seamless
  interoperability can be daunting. Compatibility
  issues can hinder user experience and limit
  market reach.
• Solution
• Standardization Adopt widely accepted standards
  and protocols like Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Bluetooth
  LE.
• APIs and SDKs Provide robust APIs and SDKs to
  facilitate integration with other systems.

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• Cloud Integration Leverage cloud platforms to
  unify device communication and provide a central
  point for data exchange.
• Power Management
• Many connected devices, especially wearables and
  sensors, rely on battery power. Prolonged battery
  life is critical for usability, but energy
  consumption can be a significant challenge.
• Solution
• Energy-Efficient Hardware Choose components
  designed for low power consumption.
• Optimized Firmware Implement power-saving modes
  and optimize code to minimize energy usage.
• Smart Data Transmission Reduce the frequency and
  size of data transmissions to conserve power.

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• Scalability Issues
• As the number of connected devices grows,
  maintaining performance, reliability, and
  responsiveness becomes increasingly complex. Poor
  scalability can lead to system failures and
  degraded user experience.
• Solution
• Cloud-Based Solutions Use scalable cloud
  platforms to handle data storage and processing.
• Edge Computing Offload some processing tasks to
  edge devices to reduce cloud dependency.
• Modular Architecture Design systems that can
  scale horizontally by adding more nodes or
  resources.

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• Data Management
• Connected devices generate vast amounts of data,
  creating challenges around storage, processing,
  and analysis. Poor data management can result in
  inefficiencies and missed opportunities for
  actionable insights.
• Solution
• Data Compression Use algorithms to minimize
  storage requirements without compromising data
  integrity.
• Real-Time Analytics Implement tools for
  real-time data analysis to derive actionable
  insights quickly.
• Data Governance Establish clear policies for
  data ownership, access, and retention.

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• User Experience (UX) Design
• A connected devices success often hinges on its
  ease of use and overall user experience. Complex
  interfaces or unintuitive features will make the
  adoption of the connected solution difficult for
  users.
• Solution
• User - Centric design Involve end-users in the
  design process to ensure the device meets their
  needs.
• Simplified setup Streamline the onboarding
  process with intuitive interfaces and clear
  instructions.
• Consistent updates Enhance user experience
  through regular updates that improve
  functionality and address feedback.
• Regulatory and compliance requirements
• Connected devices must comply with various
  regulations and standards depending on their
  industry and geographic location. Ensuring
  regulatory and industry standard compliance has
  mainly two parts.

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• The development process must be complying with
  regulatory standards for example ISO 13485 for
  medical devices. To ensure compliance the
  development team is fully conversant with the
  prescribed regulatory or industry standards and
  the development process used. The second part is
  performing detailed testing and auditing to
  ensure the devices meets the expected regulatory
  conditions and standards. Overall, these are
  time-consuming and complex set of activities.
• Solution
• Stay Informed Keep up with relevant and latest
  regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, FDA, or FCC
  requirements and make sure the development team
  is aware of the design and product specifications
  to ensure compliance.
• Work with an expert partner Work with partner
  companies who has the legal and compliance
  expertise to navigate the complex routes towards
  regulatory standard compliance and
  certifications.
• Documentation Maintain thorough documentation
  of compliance measures and testing results.

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Conclusion While the development of connected
devices presents significant challenges, each
hurdle is surmountable with the right strategies
and tools. By prioritizing security, ensuring
interoperability, optimizing for power
efficiency, and focusing on user experience,
developers can create innovative devices that
thrive in todays competitive market. Embracing
these solutions will not only address immediate
challenges but also lay the groundwork for
sustainable and scalable growth in the IoT
ecosystem. Connect with Gadgeon today for all
your connected device/solution development.

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