SUMMARY

Advances in robotics and sensor technology have opened up opportunities for a large number of intelligent applications of sensor networks in particular and intelligent networks in general. There is a need for a systematic approach to designing intelligent networked systems. In this work, I will attempt to adapt the Pahl and Beitz systematic design method for the same. The key research questions deal with the definition of the system, environment and the boundary in such systems, the ability of the designed system to make decisions affecting the information flow in the network, and a way to leverage on existing research in sensor network design. Validation of the proposed design method will be carried out with the aid of an example wherein ergonomic data capture for healthcare is being attempted with novel and low-cost sensor solutions.