Design and Planned Obsolescence. Theories and Approaches for Designing Enabling Technologies

Authors

Matteo Zallio, Technological University DublinFollow
Damon Berry, Technological University DublinFollow

Document Type

Article

Rights

Available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International Licence

Disciplines

2. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, Electrical and electronic engineering

Publication Details

The Design Journal

An International Journal for All Aspects of Design

Volume 20, 2017 - Issue sup1: Design for Next: Proceedings of the 12th European Academy of Design Conference, Sapienza University of Rome, 12-14 April 2017

Abstract

We are currently living in a decade where smart objects and Internet of Things (IoT)-based devices are becoming part of daily life in different contexts. This research seeks to investigate and verify, by using a formal literature review methodology, the most visible aspects of technological development, within the Industry 4.0 and IoT scenario, in relation to the theories of the so called “Planned Obsolescence”.

This study covers a defined number of works on Design theories and practices on how to face the issue of built-in obsolescence of devices in the era of the Connected Devices. The majority of the works studied are useful to create substrates of essential knowledge that strengthen the concept of premature ageing of technological devices and it has been noticed that the discipline of Design can be used as an incentive to extend life, improve the usability of existing products and empower user abilities.

DOI

10.1080/14606925.2017.1352879

Recommended Citation

Zallio, M. and Berry, D. (2017) Design and Planned Obsolescence. Theories and Approaches for Designing Enabling Technologies. Design journal. Vol. 20, 2017. 12th EAD Conference Sapienza University of Rome 12-14 April 2017. doi.org/10.1080/14606925.2017.1352879