Ⅰ. Reasons for scrapping IoT devices

Bringing IoT devices to market requires more commitment, and you need to keep improving, tweaking, and adding new features after users first touch the product.

Without these improvements, the product would end its mission early. There are many reasons why IoT devices become obsolescent. It may be due to network service failure. Either the software running locally to the device crashes, or the device hardware is aging.

The "I" in IoT means that the device needs behind-the-scenes operational support services. IoT is designed to remotely drive devices, collect sensor data, or both. With the iterative extension of product functions, the server also needs to be continuously updated. If there is a problem with the behind-the-scenes operational support service, or if the priority is changed, then the device service may be terminated. If IoT devices depend on this service, it becomes useless.

The voice interaction function is composed of Google and Android voice recognition software. If Google updates this service, Android is required to support the update as well. So we had to keep pushing new updates to keep the device running. It's an infinite loop that keeps going.

Any IoT device will have trouble running an application on an OS that needs to be updated, especially if the device operation relies on OS registration (such as Google Play Services for Android). At some point, application services may be terminated. For IoT devices with touchscreens, users may have to manually stop operations or program updates.

The most difficult cause of equipment obsolescence to manage is the physical failure of a component. During the duty cycle, this may be due to wear, thermal factors or other mechanical failures. Plugs and connectors limit the number of times the cable can be plugged and unplugged, the battery can be charged and discharged a limited number of times, and heat can cause premature aging of the device.

Ⅱ. Two ways of scrapping IoT devices

IoT devices have multiple ways of scrapping, but typically occurs in one of two cycles: the work cycle or the life cycle. The latter is actually equivalent to dying in old age. To some extent, even the best internet services get bored at times. When we get tired of a product, we unplug it from the socket and stop using it. The highest state of equipment is to continue to be used to the end of its life cycle.

However, the work cycle may end before the end of the product life cycle. With IoT devices, either hardware or software can cause the device to fail. Equipment usually shows some signs of failure before it is scrapped.

For actuating devices such as switches, plugs, lights, and thermostats, these devices fail in the form of longer-than-usual delays, completion of partial commands (e.g., thermostat is able to provide heat but not at the required temperature), lack of confirmation after success, or completely wrong.

For voice assistant devices, failures can manifest as slow or unclear speech, inability to respond properly or inability to understand user commands. For WiFi speakers, it is common to hear noises such as popping or buzzing during playback.

In general, as the time goes, the end of the duty cycle of all IoT devices may be manifested by non-functional LED flickering, different LED color flickering when powered on, physical discoloration of the device, and unstable network connections.