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Embedded systems mean different things to different people; they can be standalone and independent, working by themselves, or be a part of a larger system. They are purpose-built for a particular application, designed to perform a specific function or set of tasks. Complexities of embedded systems range from very simple to highly sophisticated implementations, depending on the functions and features that need to be performed and its interactions and connections with other systems. Some examples are autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things.
To provide some context, embedded systems have been around for a long-time. Two examples are the difference engine devised by Charles Babbage in the 1830s and the Apollo Guidance Computer built in the 1960s and considered to be the first modern embedded system. A key component of an embedded system is its software. Embedded software brings a system to life, performing tasks on your behalf. Software is where most of the design effort and complexity of embedded systems lie.
In this article, I share three key learnings I have gained from applying UX and human-centered approaches when working with embedded software. These three takeaways include the complexity and advantage of addressing the needs of multiple stakeholders, how to benefit from understanding the dependencies between different components (by definition, embedded means integrated onto something), and how to overcome the challenge of communicating the value of technology that’s often invisible.