41305 Industrial IoT Studio
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Recommended studies:
Students are recommended to have completed 41092 Network Fundamentals or an equivalent introductory subject in the area of networking and programming. As a minimum, students should be familiar with how to connect devices over a network, network protocols and be familiar with components and layers of networks, e.g. hosts, clients, servers, switches.
Description
The industrial internet of things (IIoT) will transform current industries as we know them, with sectors, such as manufacturing, currently undergoing a digital transformation. Ultimately, this will lead to network-based, connected factories. This studio addresses a critical gap created when factories move beyond IIoT pilots and into full production – that is re-skilling and retraining their workforces. The studio is an introductory course in IIoT for students aiming for a career in IIoT, or persons already working in the manufacturing sector and wishing to learn contemporary skills. Principally, students work on a well-defined design problem to develop skills and experience in the engineering design process for IIoT systems through engagement with:
- Introduction to the IIoT – its technologies and potential applications.
- Skill development in relevant software (e.g. IoT middleware, dashboards and databases) and hardware (e.g. sensors and actuators).
- Practical, hands-on experience of overall IIoT system/architecture design and implementation, using industry-standard equipment.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Explore creative IIoT solutions to defined, real world production problems. (C.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Apply basic IIoT concepts and methods in relevant software and hardware for skill development. (D.1) |
| 3. | Defend outline of a high level IIoT solution for manufacturing system. (E.1) |
| 4. | Conduct critical self and peer review and performance evaluation to justify decisions. (F.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
- Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their performance to improve themselves, their teams, and the broader community and society. (F.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.2. Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
- 3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
- 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
Teaching and learning strategies
This studio is structured around a project geared towards solving a real-life problem in the context of a piece of manufacturing equipment for an authentic manufacturing use-case. The studio is offered in block mode, consisting of three full-day studios.
The first block covers the definition and key concepts, technologies and applications associated with the industrial internet-of-things (IIoT). It also covers the notion of an IIoT architecture and factors to consider when developing one’s own IIoT architecture. This equips students with basic concepts and methods to explore creative solutions to clearly defined real world problems where IIoT could offer a solution. Students will therefore be provided with the relevant knowledge and tools to complete the project pitch, outlining a high-level IIoT solution for a manufacturing system of their choice (assessment task 1).
The second block covers in greater detail the software and hardware components that are fundamental to an IIoT solution, such as sensors and actuators, data aggregation, dash-boarding and databases. This includes the criteria for component selection and system configuration. Hands-on, interactive activities during this studio will enable students to complete their own demonstrations for assessment (assessment task 2) and will build on the concept they pitched earlier and build towards their final delivery of this concept.
That will be enabled by the third block, which includes another demonstration (assessment task 3), an exercise in reflection, based on feedback provided (assessment task 4), as well as numerous practical exercises and interactive activities to deliver a final IIoT solution (assessment task 5).
The project’s manufacturing use-case can be based on the students’ workplace to ensure workplace alignment and relevance.
Preparation materials for each block, e.g. short videos or case study readings, will be provided online as a basis for activities during the studios. Studios will include a variety of interactive activities such as group and individual problem-solving sprints, focusing on different aspects of IIoT architectures and applications, more extensive case studies, including mini presentations and interactive demonstrations to facilitate practice-based learning. Practical learning activities in this studio will be supported by our state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 Learning Systems – provided with industry-standard IIoT hardware.
Regular formative feedback will be provided verbally at each face-to-face flexible drop-in session, e.g. for feedback on the pitch and demonstration assessment tasks. All students use feedback to include in personal reflections. Individual feedback from facilitators, usually in written form, will occur for each submission.
Students should particularly note feedback in submissions 1-4 to ensure that submission 5 is of a passing standard.
All studio participants are expected to provide feedback during group presentations. Materials related to feedback will be provided to students.
Learning expectations include participation and collaboration in studio workshops, accessing online resources, and weekly team meetings outside of class, and individual study/project work.
Assessment is designed around the experience of working in teams in facilitated sessions and individual progress fields required for ePortfolio. The first session sets the tone and scene for the upcoming 12 weeks.
Content (topics)
Fundamental Studio challenges will vary. Details will be provided on Canvas. All students will learn engineering design methods during their first day of the subject. This will be a key skill to be applied throughout the course. Other topics, specific to this Studio, will include:
- Introduction to the IIoT – technologies and applications.
- IIoT architecture – concepts, design and constraints.
- IIoT middleware – data aggregation, dashboarding and databases.
- IIoT hardware – sensors and actuators.
- IIoT system creation – design, implementation and demonstration using industry-standard equipment.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Sprint 1 Deliverable: Project Pitch
| Intent: | Conceive, design and communicate solution proposal to stakeholders. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Length: | 5 min video + 10 min question-and-answer session, in-class |
Assessment task 2: Sprint 2 Deliverable: IIoT Middleware Demonstration
| Intent: | To demonstrate understanding of IIoT middleware |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Demonstration |
| Length: | 15 min, in-class demonstration |
Assessment task 3: Sprint 3 Deliverable: IIoT System Demonstration
| Intent: | Curate a narrative that demonstrates and defends the evolution of the design process and links these artefacts toward IIoT software and IIoT hardware towards a complete IIoT system solution. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): E.1 |
| Type: | Demonstration |
| Length: | 30 min, in-class demonstration |
Assessment task 4: Feedback Notes & Reflection
| Intent: | To seek and use feedback to make changes or improvements to progress of self, team and artefact. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): F.1 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Length: | Part of the e-portfolio |
Assessment task 5: IIoT Design ePortfolio
| Intent: | Curate a narrative that demonstrates and defends the evolution of the design process and links these artefacts toward IIoT software and IIoT hardware towards a complete IIoT system solution. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Portfolio |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 100% |
| Length: | Typically 4,000-6,000 words + images/videos/diagrams |
Minimum requirements
To achieve a pass grade, students must meet the pass grade requirements stipulated in the subject’s performance standards.
Recommended texts
Available online with subject materials