Academics based at Lancaster University’s School of Computing and Communications and the University of Applied Science Burgenland have developed a cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) prototype that allows for adaptive control of a workplace environment to suit different generational needs.

PhD student Igor Ivkic of the School of Computing and Communications, alongside Master’s student Susanne Peer from the University of Applied Science in Burgenland, Austria, recently built and implemented the prototype of the “Smart Office for Everyone”, which allows individuals to control the light, acoustic, and temperature conditions of their workspace to suit their specific needs, which often vary depending on the age and generation of the employees. The project was recently featured in a special edition of ERCIM News on Inclusive Digital Futures.

The notion of a “Smart Office” (an office space that utilises artificial intelligence and technological solutions to create a more productive and healthier environment) was popularised during the COVID pandemic; however, as the team suggests within their paper, the needs of employees are often generalised, with differences in requirements between employees of different generations largely overlooked. Individuals from Generation Z (born between 1997-2012), for example, tend to prefer flexible and mobile working environments – as opposed to their Generation X peers (born between 1965-1980), who favour stability, and Millennials (born between 1981-1996), who value sustainability and collaborative environments.

In order to create a dynamic working environment suitable for all employees, the team first created “personas” for the typical workers within the Millennial, Gen Z, and Gen X generational groups. For Gen Z workers, the team identified that typical workers prefer dynamic lighting, noise cancellation, and app-controlled temperature regulation. Millennials, meanwhile, showed a preference for circadian-friendly lighting, balanced acoustics, and energy-efficient climate control, whilst Gen X were identified as preferring stable, glare-free lighting, consistent ambient noise, and reliable temperature regulation. From these personas, Ivkic and his team built a personalised dashboard that allowed for real-time adaptation of the workplace environment depending upon the employee’s preferences, allowing for localised environments for each unique user. Whilst the prototype is yet to be deployed in a workplace environment, the team hope that it could be used to significantly lower employee stress scores, based on reports from existing literature.

“Everyone is unique and has their own idea of the perfect working environment”, says Igor Ivkic. “The “Smart Office for Everyone” project demonstrates how offices can be adapted to meet the needs and preferences of employees and promotes both integration and consideration for employee wellbeing. For future iterations, we’d look into integrating additional sensors, applying machine-learning models for predictive adaptation based on usage patterns, and conducting longitudinal field studies in order to validate the benefits in satisfaction and performance that we predicted in our prototype model. Our next step will be an experimental evaluation of the prototype in different scenarios to gauge its effectiveness.”