Research Agenda

Breadcrumbs: The Future of Ubiquitous Computing --> Research Agenda

Technological Factors

What is ubicomputing & How does it work?

Ubiquitous computing (ubicomputing) refers to a vision in which computers are embedded into the environment surrounding us. According to the late Marc Weiser, the founder of Ubicomputing, ubiquitous computing "does not live on a personal device of any sort, but in the woodwork everywhere."

Other terms referring to this development are: calm computing, pervasive computing, physical computing, tangible media, etc. Adam Greenfield refers to all these developments as 'everyware.'

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What technologies are the driving force behind it?

• micro-electronics - including many form of sensors
• Electronic labels - such as RFID
• IPv6
• High speed wireless networks - 802.11 G, 802.11 , UWB
• Nanotechnology
• Research in Human computer interfaces
• context-aware computing
• location based services

Are there are suppressed technologies which could give this development a boost? Why is it suppressed?
Open source applications may be considered suppressed technologies, as they are being suppressed by the large software developing companies.

How are the costs of the components developing?
What kind of user interfaces does it have? (How do you control it?) What kind of operating systems will they use? What are potential applications? What are the interconnectivity between devices? What are compatibility of standards? What is the potential target market? How will it affect the economical issues? What are the communications impact? Is it being used? How fast is it developing? What is the acceptability?

Conclusion
Answer here!

Economical Factors

Where are we now with ubicomputing & What are the developments?

Where are we now?
There are currently (2007) some examples of ubicomputing taking shape in the Netherlands!
Example are:
- Digital Picture frames
- The public transport top-up card
- Paying with your mobile phone (from rabobank)

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Where are we going & What are the driving forces behind this path?
What are the forces which have an affect on these driving forces & how do they affect these driving forces? Can we find potential applications in which businesses are interested in? How energy efficient is it going to be? Who is interested in it? Who will suffer?

Social Factors

What are the possible implication when ubicomputing is introduced?

Social implications on relationships (Thesis 23)
Everyware can hardly be engaged without raising issues of trust, reputation, credibility, status, respect, and the presentation of self.

Political/Government Legal/Privacy (about data collection and data distribution) Energy Economical Safety

Stakeholders (Who will it affect?) What cultural differences involved with using and implementing it? What is the impact on the quality of life? Who will be negatively affected by this technology? What physical impact will it have on the individual? -> physical mental,implication What impact will it have on the developing countries? How will it affect advertising? What are the social implication (What are the changes in art? ) How will it affect buying behavior? Is it being used? Where is it being used? How will it affect entertainment for people? How will it affect sport for people? How will it affect industries? Who will be influenced by the technology first? Where will it develop first?

Conclusion
Answer here!

Environmental

What impact does the environmental movement have on electronic devices have currently? What forces are currently present in the environmental movement? What are governments doing to help the environment, and how does this relate to IT?

Conclusion
Answer here!

Political Factors

What impact will it have on safety? What impact will it have on safety? What impact will it have on security issues? What are the legal regulations?

Conclusion
Answer here!

Questions due to deeper insight

What impact does the media have on the acceptance of technology? of ubi-computing?
How will ubicomputing overcome 'the brutal regime of the everyday?' (p.34 of Everyware)
Will Moore law prevail for the coming years?
What are the driving forces which will restrict the development of this technology? What are the driving forces that will push this technology? What are the developments affecting these driving factors? What competitive forces are there to stimulate the development of this technology?

Conclusion
Answer here!