Valentin Heun’s projects include a door lock, desk lamps, and a
small radio that bring the benefits of computation to objects
without sacrificing their intrinsic, tactile pleasures.  MIT
Whiz Sets Out to Humanize the Internet of Things  Valentin
Heun’s Smarter Objects embed computational functionality into
everyday objects.  The “Internet of Things” grows with every
light bulb, garage door opener, and watch that connects to it,
but product designer Valentin Heun isn’t sure that investing in
these so-called “smart” devices is a good idea. In fact, he
believes this technology is leading to a dystopian future filled
with soulless, virtualized products and users overcome with
information overload. Far from a being a Luddite, Heun is a
Ph.D. candidate at MIT’s Media Lab and is trying to bring a
designer’s empathic touch to what has previously been the domain
of techies.  His projects, called “Smarter Objects,” include a
door lock, desk lamps, and a small radio that bring the benefits
of computation to objects with