Big picture
For the best possible outcomes of working together, it helps to know the context of how I work. I run The Waving Cat GmbH full time. It is as the organizational backend for the various things I work on.
Within this framework I split my time between client work & self-initiated projects (like ThingsCon). Here’s an overview of outputs, and a selection of projects from the last few years. As a rule of thumb, self-initiated projects are always in collaboration with partners. I can only accept only a small number of client engagements at a time, and only if they make sense within this test.
Areas of client engagements I’m particularly interested in: Research, strategy and policy around emerging technologies, like Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), or adjacent technologies. Responsible and empowering implementations of connected homes, smart cities, connected products & services. As a rule of thumb: The earlier in the process the more interesting it is to me and, more importantly, the more value I can add.
In 2020 I aim to be extra mindful on how I spend my time: I had been spread a little thin over many projects for a while, and we have a little kid. This means I’ll be saying no to most projects in order to fully focus on the projects that I do take on. (If I have to say no, please don’t take it personal—it’s not.) That way, if we decide to work together, I’ll be able to be all in.
What’s going on?
- The core work of The Waving Cat (research, strategy, forecasting, policy) around emerging tech continues. You can learn more about that here.
- ThingsCon, a global community of IoT practitioners who foster the creation of a more responsible IoT, that I co-founded in 2013/14, is stronger than ever with a global footprint of 20+ events annually, and other outputs areas of engagement like research and publications.
- I continue to occasionally speak at conferences.
- I’ve been writing more. The best index to what’s available is the blog, this overview, and for the long form writing the list below.
Ongoing client work includes work with various foundations, think tanks, and foundations as well as some smaller gigs: a mix of working with governmental, non-profit, and private sector clients. Among others, recently this has included (some projects ongoing, others recently wrapped up):
- For a political foundation: Research and policy recommendations around smart cities from a progressive and public policy perspective.
- For a foundation: Research and recommendations regarding the European AI & Society Ecosystem.
- For a labor organization: Research around smart cities and their impact on labor.
Recent(ish) long-form publications:
- View Source: Shenzhen, an exploration of the Shenzhen hardware ecosystem & importance of creating a responsible IoT. It’s also the written documentation of a series of research trips to China.
- The State of Responsible IoT, this ThingsCon report is a collection of essays by experts from the inter-disciplinary ThingsCon community of IoT practitioners. It explores the challenges, opportunities and questions surrounding the creation of a responsible & human-centric Internet of Things (IoT).
Products
- Zephyr Berlin: Pants that travel well & are built to last. Made locally in Berlin for fair wages with Swiss performance fabric. In collaboration with Michelle Thorne and Cecilia Palmer, this is an experiment in physical product delivery.
Availability
Some availability so far in 2020, happy to have a chat!
Last updated: February 2020.