Internet of Things Capstone V2: Build a Mobile Surveillance System from Coursera

In the Capstone project for the Internet of Things specialization, you will design and build your own system that uses at least 2 sensors, at least 1 communication protocol and at least 1 actuator. You will have a chance to revisit and apply what you have learned in our courses to achieve a robust, practical and/or fun-filled project.

We absolutely encourage you to design whatever you can think up! This is your chance to be creative or to explore an idea that you have had. But if you don’t have your own idea, we provide the description of a surveillance system, for you to build. We will participate in the Capstone with you by building a surveillance system that features an off-grid solar powered workstation that will serve as a hub to multiple surveillance sensors.

You will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have gained in this course through delivery of industry-appropriate documents such as System Design documents and Unit Test reports. Additionally, you will be asked to describe and show case your project as a short video presentation – appropriate for demonstrating your knowledge and technical communication skills.

Learning Goals: After completing this Capstone, you will be able to:

1. Design systems using mobile platforms. You will gain experience in documenting and presenting designs.

2. Develop systems that interface multiple sensors and actuators to the DragonBoard™ 410c system and develop the necessary software to create a fully functional system.

3. Specify unit tests and system tests, run tests and prepare Test Reports as are commonly done by those working in this industry.

4. Gain experience (and feedback!) in making technical presentations.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to the Internet of Things! Before diving into this course give us a chance to let you know what it is all about! We will walk you through a module by module outline that will give you highlights on the interesting aspects of the course.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills in designing, building, and testing systems that use sensors and actuators, which are core skills for engineers and computer scientists

Provides hands-on experience in designing and building a complete system, which is valuable for students looking to gain practical experience

Teaches students how to document and present their work, which is an important skill for engineers and computer scientists

May require students to purchase additional components, which could be a financial burden for some students

Assumes students have a basic understanding of electronics and programming, which may not be the case for all students

Requires students to work independently, which may not be suitable for all students

Reviews summary

Practical iot capstone project

According to learners, this Capstone course provides a positive and highly practical experience, allowing students to apply their accumulated knowledge in building a real Internet of Things system. Many students find the hands-on project work invaluable for solidifying theoretical concepts. However, a notable point mentioned by several reviewers is the potential challenge and cost associated with sourcing the specific hardware components, which can be a significant barrier for some. While the course structure, including requirements for industry-style documentation and a video presentation, is seen as beneficial for career preparation, some students reported that the instructions for the template project lacked clarity in certain areas, requiring independent troubleshooting.

Best for learners with a strong technical background; requires self-learning.

"This course is definitely a Capstone and assumes you have a solid foundation from the prior courses."

"Be ready to troubleshoot problems independently, as not every scenario is covered."

"Suitable for intermediate to advanced learners, not beginners."

"Requires familiarity with programming and hardware interfacing."

Includes valuable practice in creating technical documents and presentations.

"Writing the System Design and Test Reports felt like a realistic engineering task."

"The requirement to create a video presentation is great practice for technical communication."

"These documentation steps add professional value beyond just the build."

"Learning to document my project formally was a useful skill."

Gain hands-on experience building a complete IoT system.

"The capstone project is a great way to apply everything learned from the previous courses in the specialization."

"Building a real system from scratch was incredibly valuable and solidified my understanding."

"I really enjoyed the practical aspect and the ability to customize my project."

"Excellent opportunity to integrate different components and troubleshoot real-world issues."

Instructions for the template project could be clearer.

"The step-by-step instructions for setting up the surveillance system were sometimes vague."

"I had to spend a lot of time trying to figure out certain connections and software configurations."

"More detailed guidance on debugging and integration would be helpful."

"Relied heavily on the discussion forums for clarification on project steps."

Specific hardware can be costly and difficult to obtain.

"Finding the DragonBoard 410c proved to be very difficult and expensive."

"The cost of purchasing all the required sensors and components was a significant hurdle."

"Had issues sourcing the exact bill of materials specified in the template project."

"Be prepared to invest time and money into getting the necessary hardware."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Internet of Things Capstone V2: Build a Mobile Surveillance System with these activities:

Review IoT Concepts and Applications

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Refresh knowledge of core IoT concepts, applications, and technologies, ensuring a strong foundation for the course's advanced topics.

Browse courses on IoT Applications

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Review the history and evolution of IoT
Understand different IoT architectures and protocols
Explore various IoT applications in different industries

Review Electronics Fundamentals

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Reinforce understanding of electronics fundamentals, including circuit analysis and component behavior, to strengthen the foundation for IoT system design.

Browse courses on Electronics

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Review basic electrical concepts and circuit theory
Analyze simple AC and DC circuits
Understand the behavior of electronic components

Organize Course Materials

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Organize notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams to enhance understanding and facilitate effective review, contributing to overall learning outcomes.

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Create a system for organizing course materials
Annotate and summarize key concepts
Identify areas for further study and clarification

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Design Documentation

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Prepare a comprehensive design document that outlines the system architecture, components, and their interactions, enhancing understanding of the project's technical details.

Browse courses on System Design

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Gather and organize system requirements
Create system architecture diagrams and descriptions
Document component specifications and interfaces
Review and refine the design document

Build a Smart Surveillance System

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Build a fully functional surveillance system that integrates sensors, actuators, and communication protocols, applying the concepts learned in the course.

Browse courses on Surveillance Systems

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Design the system architecture and components
Choose and procure the necessary hardware and software
Develop and implement the software for data acquisition, processing, and actuation
Test and debug the system to ensure functionality

Sensor Data Analysis

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Analyze sensor data to identify patterns, trends, and insights, reinforcing the importance of data interpretation in IoT systems.

Browse courses on Sensor Data

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Collect and preprocess sensor data
Apply statistical and machine learning techniques for data analysis
Interpret and visualize data analysis results

Advanced IoT Communication Protocols

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Explore advanced IoT communication protocols such as MQTT and LoRaWAN, extending knowledge of data transmission in IoT systems.

Browse courses on MQTT

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Learn about the principles and benefits of advanced communication protocols
Implement advanced protocols in IoT projects
Evaluate and compare different communication protocols

Contribute to Open Source IoT Projects

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Participate in open source IoT projects to gain practical experience and contribute to the community, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Browse courses on Software Development

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Identify and select open source IoT projects
Contribute code, documentation, or other resources
Collaborate with other developers and maintainers
Present and share project contributions

Career center

Learners who complete Internet of Things Capstone V2: Build a Mobile Surveillance System will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineers design and develop computer systems that are embedded within larger mechanical or electrical systems. **This course's** focus on IoT and embedded systems design will provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this rapidly growing field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

Electronics Engineer

Electronics Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain electronic devices and systems. **This course's** emphasis on hardware integration and embedded systems programming will provide you with valuable skills for a career in electronics engineering.

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Mechatronics Engineer

A Mechatronics Engineer designs, develops, and tests complex systems that combine mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. **This course's** practical, hands-on approach to **Internet of Things (IoT)** and embedded systems design can help you build a strong foundation for a career in mechatronics engineering.

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Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, develop, and maintain robots and robotic systems. **This course's** emphasis on IoT and embedded systems programming will provide you with a solid foundation for a career in robotics engineering.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. **This course's** focus on IoT and embedded systems programming will provide you with valuable skills for a career in software engineering.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. **This course's** emphasis on IoT and embedded systems design will provide you with the skills you need to start your own IoT business.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make decisions. **This course's** emphasis on IoT and embedded systems design will provide you with the skills you need to collect and analyze data from IoT devices.

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Quality Assurance Engineer

Quality Assurance Engineers ensure that products and services meet quality standards. **This course's** emphasis on IoT and embedded systems design will provide you with the skills you need to test and verify IoT devices and systems.

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Product Manager

Product Managers plan and develop products. **This course's** emphasis on IoT and embedded systems design will provide you with the skills you need to develop IoT devices and systems.

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Sales Engineer

Sales Engineers help customers select and implement products and services. **This course's** emphasis on IoT and embedded systems design will provide you with the skills you need to sell IoT devices and systems.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers plan and execute marketing campaigns. **This course's** emphasis on IoT and embedded systems design will provide you with the skills you need to market IoT devices and systems.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. **This course's** emphasis on IoT and embedded systems design will provide you with the skills you need to manage projects in a variety of industries.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts help organizations improve their processes and systems. **This course's** emphasis on IoT and embedded systems design will provide you with the skills you need to analyze and improve IoT systems.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. **This course's** focus on IoT and embedded systems design will provide you with the skills you need to write clear and concise technical documentation.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and expertise to organizations. **This course's** emphasis on IoT and embedded systems design will provide you with the skills you need to consult on IoT projects.

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