Story

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought many new challenges to our professional and personal lives. Employees around the world are in a crisis. Since the majority of the global workforce is not used to working from home.

With the need for increased collaboration across different teams, conducting regular team meetings has become very crucial, video conferencing tools, such as Microsoft Teams, zoom is used to bridge the communication gap between team members and build cognitive and emotional trust.

Employees doing their jobs from their homes are adjusting their seats to meet the organizational needs amidst everything that is happening around the world, But this sudden shift in work culture has brought some new challenges with it.

Distraction at work is one of the most significant challenges of working from home. When the kids are running around, talking loudly, watching television, or fighting with each other it can be very difficult to get any work done. A spouse may come to your desk and talk to you about critical issues or things that aren’t important at that moment.

Here is a compilation of videos that went viral recently, which perfectly illustrates the situation.

My IOT Solution:

With a few spare NodeMCU Esp32 boards, a RGB Neopixel LED strip, and a proficient understanding of the technology, I recently completed a weekend project that aimed to create a standalone Microsoft Teams Presence Light. This innovative device utilizes colored LEDs to visualize the presence status of a logged-in user on Microsoft Teams.

This project was made possible due to the availability of the Presence API endpoint in MS Graph, which enables the retrieval of the current Team Presence status, including “Available,” “Busy,” “Be Right Back,” and “Do Not Disturb,” among others. The Microsoft Teams Presence Light provides a visual representation of the logged user “Status” with the help of coloured RGB light and added a touch of personal flair to the workspace and bought a new dimension of Fun and Functionality.

This now completes my goal and gives a visual indication when I am Busy or In a call and my kid / spouse now knows when they should stay away from my office. 

Some Technical Details:

This project implements a device login flow for authentication against Microsoft Azure AD, in order to obtain an access token. The obtained token is used to call the Microsoft Graph API and retrieve Presence Information for the authenticated user. The token is also automatically refreshed to allow for standalone operation for a period of time.

The code in written in C code for Arduino Microcontrollers and runs directly on the cheap and powerful WiFi-connected ESP32 board.

Main Components:

1. ESP8288 Wifi Controlled Board

2. Neo Pixel RBG LED

Working Demo of the Setup:

Conclusion

In conclusion, I am super excited about the future of IoT devices and the way they will impact our day-to-day life, The future of IoT technology is indeed a promising one and it is expected to bring about numerous benefits to our daily lives. In the near future, we can expect even more sophisticated and advanced IoT devices that will bring about even greater conveniences and improvements in our daily routines.

One of the most significant aspects of IoT is the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. This integration will result in IoT devices becoming smarter and more intuitive, providing users with personalized and optimized experiences. For example, a smart home system equipped with AI-powered sensors will be able to automatically adjust the temperature, lighting, and other environmental conditions based on the occupants’ preferences and habits, making life easier and more comfortable.

The future of IoT will also bring about new opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. With the growth of the IoT market, there will be a growing demand for skilled professionals who can develop and implement IoT solutions. This will create new jobs and spur economic growth, making it an exciting time for those who are looking to pursue careers in the technology sector.

In conclusion, the future of IoT devices holds vast potential for improving the quality of life for people around the world. With its integration with AI, increased security, and new opportunities for innovation, it is up to us to harness the potential of this technology for the betterment of humanity. The future of IoT is bright, and the possibilities are endless.