Pervasive Computing Review

Joshua R. Smith, Class of 2006

Interdisciplinary Engineering and Management

Mentor: Dr. Sunil Kumar

July 31, 2003

Definitions and Rationale What is pervasive computing? Computer of today vs. pervasive computing Interest in automation and simplification

Topics

Brief history Applications

Infrastructure Systems Personal Systems

Critical technologies Adoption Hesitation Conclusions

History

Roots in late 1980s at Xerox PARC Merger of two research projects

Intuitive input/output device How computers impact people

Weiser 1991 Scientific American article

Topics

Brief history Applications

Infrastructure Systems Personal Systems

Critical technologies Adoption Hesitation Conclusions

Applications: Infrastructure Systems Classroom 2000

Enhance education by recording lecture (shift attention from notes to speaker)

Rapid development strategy

Classroom 2000: Original Prototype Setup

Applications: Infrastructure Systems Classroom 2000

Enhance education by recording lecture (shift attention from notes to speaker)

Rapid development strategy

Applications: Personal Systems Inspection / Maintenance

BIW, Maine 80:1 return over 3 years (70% reduction in inspection times)

Topics

Brief history Applications

Infrastructure Systems Personal Systems

Critical technologies Adoption Hesitation Conclusions

Critical Technologies

Technologies exist independently, pervasive computing focuses on integrating them

Wireless networking Sensors Portable and embedded displays Software

Discovery services, compression, middleware

Topics

Brief history Applications

Infrastructure Systems Personal Systems

Critical technologies Adoption Hesitation Conclusions

Adoption Hesitation

Hesitation “Big Brother” – Collection of personal information

important for context Privacy and Security RFID

Topics

Brief history Applications

Infrastructure Systems Personal Systems

Critical technologies Adoption Hesitation Conclusions

Conclusions

Desktop computers not replaced Working smarter and more efficiently “Always on” Streamlining tedious computing tasks

New possibilities Augmented social networks Learning environments Museums, grocery shopping…

Questions?