Rock Garden programming: Programming in the physical world (2014) [pdf]
researchspace.csir.co.za
researchspace.csir.co.za
Anyway, the whole tangible angle of IoT reminded me of an idea floating around my mind. Those of you who've seen dataflow programming, or at least played Minecraft or Starbound, probably recognize the concept of programming by wiring stuff together. I mention Minecraft and Starbound for the reason - especially the latter, in which wiring is more convenient and involves just drawing lines between devices[0]. It's an easy way people automate their environment - from doors opening when you're near them, through traps up to complex "starship automation" systems. People understand that and find it fun.
So I wonder, maybe this kind of interface would work for IoT and less tech-savvy people? A bunch of sensors, buttons and actuators, and you use your smartphone to wire them together (and rewire, as needed), dataflow-style. Just like in a video game. Bonus fitness point for requiring one to actually point their phone at the device they want to connect.
You could advocate teaching the kids to read, but fuck that. Keep them illiterate. Surely the ANC won't complain.
(And before someone says this 'research' has other uses, I'm referring to part of his abstract:
"The developed world dominates the design of programming environments, assuming letteracy and computer literacy on the part of the programmer. In developing areas, this assumption raises the bar for novice programmers and especially pre-school children from differing socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. In general, our research aims at developing a programming environment that does not require either computer literacy or letteracy from the programmer, thereby affording the novice user the opportunity to control appliances connected to the IoT." )