The Android Things platform is designed to make it easier for developers to build IoT applications using the Android framework and familiar tools. To get started with Android Things, users need a Raspberry Pi 3, an SD card, and the latest Android Things preview image. The process involves flashing the Android Things image to the SD card, booting up the Raspberry Pi, and connecting it to a network. Once connected, users can test Android applications on the device by writing and running a simple application using Android Studio. The platform is designed for IoT development and offers various possibilities for real-life applications such as home automation and security systems.