Diana Dominic

Version 1.0
21-September 2015

UBIQUITOUS
COMPUTING:
Experience , Design and Science

Abstract
one-paragraph description of what the paper is about. Tell the reader what the purpose of the paper
is. Abstract provides material that gives readers a good reason to read the details.

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction..1
1.1 Historical Background2
2.

Grand Challenges in Ubiquitous computing...4

2.1 Science Perspective....4
2.2 Design Perspective.6
2.3 User Perspective.7

3. Sample applications in Ubiquitous computing8

4. Major Issues.8
5. Future Trends...9
6. Summary .11
References12

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ABSTRACT
Ubiquitous computing is considered as a promising technological path of innovation. This new
paradigm

envisions

world

where

embedded

processors,

computers,

sensors,

and

digital communication technologies are inexpensive commodities that are available everywhere.
Ubiquitous computing will surround users with a comfortable and convenient information
environment and a smart space that merges physical and computational infrastructures into an
integrated habitat. This habitat will feature a proliferation of hundreds or thousands of computing
devices and sensors that will provide new functionality, offer specialized services, and boost
productivity and interaction among the devices and the users. This paper provides a concise
discussion on the grand challenges encountered in ubiquitous computing. It also identies various
application areas and sectors that will potentially be benetted and will be able to provide enhanced
and rich experience to the users

1. Introduction: Ubiquitous computing- The calm Technology

Ubiquitous Computing is the third wave in computing after main frames and personal computing. It
goes beyond the realm of personal computers: it is the idea that almost any device, from clothing to
tools to appliances to cars to homes to the human body to your coffee mug, can be embedded with
chips to connect the device to an infinite network of other devices. While it is in the early days of
ubiquitous computing, the potential for growth is enormous.
Equipped with sensors, these computers can record the environment of the object in which they are
embedded and provide it with information processing and communication capabilities. For example,
if a smart home security system has been breached, the owner may receive the notification in his
smartphone or in his pebble watch or in the central console of his car, depending upon the scenario
he is currently in. In the long term, ubiquitous computing can pervade all spheres of life: it promises
to increase comfort in the private home area and to improve energy efficiency; intelligent vehicles
may make roads safer; adaptive personal assistance systems could raise work productivity in the office; and in the medical field, implantable sensors and micro-computers monitor the health of the
user.

The following graph shows an estimate of the number of connected devices by 2020. Growth of
connected devices is staggering. It is estimated to be 200 billion devices in 2020 i.e. 26 smart devices
per person in just 5 years.
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Source: Google Developers

However ubiquitous computing presents challenges across computer science: in systems design and
engineering, in systems modelling, and in user interface design. Contemporary human-computer
interaction models, whether command-line, menu-driven, or GUI-based, are inappropriate and
inadequate to the ubiquitous case. This suggests that the "natural" interaction paradigm appropriate
to a fully robust ubiquitous computing has yet to emerge - although there is also recognition in the
field that in many ways we are already living in a ubicomp world.

1.1 Historical Background

In 1991, Mark Weiser, the former Scientific Director of the Xerox Palo Alto Research Centre, shaped
the vision of ubiquitous computing as an omnipresent infrastructure for ICTs. His work on ubiquitous
computing continues to define all technological and socio-political considerations inherent to the
field. According to Weiser, we can speak of ubiquitous computing once the following criteria are met:
(i)

Microcomputers are integrated into physical objects of any shape and displace services
heretofore performed by desktop systems.

(ii)

These embedded systems are characterized by their small size and by their near invisibility
to the user.

(iii)

Embedded microsystems thus augment a physical objects original use-value with a new
array of digital applications.

(iv)

The ubiquitous availability of services lists at the centre of communication between

devices and application, not the devices itself.

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In Designing Calm Technology, Weiser and his colleague John Seeley Brown describe calm technology as "that which informs but doesn't demand our focus or attention".
Since its emergence many countries have invested in this technology. The T-Engine Forum headed
by Dr. Ken Sakamura of the University of Tokyo does intensive R&D in this field and enables developers to rapidly build ubiquitous computing solutions by using off-the-shelf components. Also
MIT has made important research about ubicomp. For example Hiroshi Ishii's Things That Think
consortium at the Media Lab and the CSAIL effort known as Project Oxygen.

2. Grand Challenges in Ubiquitous Computing

2.1.

Science Perspective: Theory

Since Mark Weiser coined the term ubiquitous computing, there has been tremendous development
in the computer hardware. The integrated chips were integrated with the VLSI technology and multi
core computers were evolved. The smart phones that we hold in our hand has more computing power
than at least 5 computers in 1990s. Many computing devices have become a part of our day to day
life. So the hardware for ubiquitous computing has been surfaced even though there is so much more
to innovate.
However the science to exploit these hardware in an optimal way is not yet fully developed. We need
to develop an intelligent system which can collaborate all the data read from these devices and communicate it to the user based on the context. Artificial intelligence need to be implemented to these
devices to an extent. The main challenge for ubiquitous computing is the lack of network connectivity. Even though we establish the network connectivity, how to make ubiquitous computing a reality
is a question. We need to make a big leap in this direction. The good news is that the developed
nations have invested in ubiquitous computing since the late 1990s.
In the United States ubiquitous computing was already on the agenda of the most important civilian
and military research promotion institutions in the late 1990s. Since 1999, issues of ubiquitous computing (universal networking, embedded systems) are represented in the list of the most significant
trends in information technology of these institutions, although there was no comprehensive sociopolitical vision.

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In Japan, the creation of the so-called Ubiquitous Network Society represented an important focus of
the state and industrial research agenda, at least since 2003/04. The goal of this program, which was
largely formulated by industry, was a massive diffusion of fast, wireless networks and consumeroriented services quite in the tradition of mobile communications in Japan. This vision is called uJapan, whereby u stands not only for ubiquitous but also for universal, user-oriented and unique,
which illustrates the individualistic character of the Japanese initiative.
Like Japan, South Korea also aimed to become one of the leading ubiquitous network societies. In
recent years, Korea has especially accelerated the expansion of its broadband network and is one of
the leaders in implementing innovative ICT in products. On the whole, Korea today is a pioneer in
realising the information society and according to the estimates of the International Telecommunication Union, is already swimming in information today. Other than in Japan, Europe or the
USA, the Korean plans have less an individual than a universal societal benefit in mind.
Singapore is today already completely equipped with broadband and wireless networks and is regarded as an ideal testing bed for new applications. In addition to the network infrastructure, Singapore should develop into a ubiquitous information society, according to government plans. Besides
economic policy targets, societal benefits such as, for instance, the maintenance of the cultural diversity of the multi-ethnic state of Singapore are specifically addressed.
Even though many countries have made advancement in this field, it is still in the starting stage. More
research need to be done in the direction, how the future generation would like the devices interact
with them. For example, the users communicate with the Google glass through voice commands and
Sixth sense technology is based on gestures. The science should advance to a level where it is able to
predict how the users will communicate with the users in the future or develop a technology that the
users can embrace with ease.
We could implement artificial intelligence heavily in this science. For example, if a customer walks
into a supermarket, the refrigerator sends the list of items that are running low to smart watch or the
smart phone depending on the device he is using. Or the smart watch alerts the customer if he missed
out to buy anything before leaving the store. In this scenario the device should recognise the current
location of the user and the nearby buildings and should decide whether the user could make avail of
this service or not. The devices should be intelligent enough to learn the shopping habits and eating
habits of the customer and employ it in a best way suitable to the situation as required. Similarly

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many different technology streams could be used to develop the ubiquitous computing to its fullest
potential.

2.2.

Design perspective: Engineering

Many factors are driving the progress of information technology at quite different levels: the increased performance of important components and production processes, better methods to create
software, more efficient programming languages and operating systems, innovative concepts for
man-machine interaction and still many more. As a typical crosscutting technology, ubiquitous computing utilizes the whole range of modern information and communication technologies (ICT),
whereby the advances in communication technology, microelectronics, the energy supply, in user
interfaces, information security, sensors and localisation technology are of particular significance.
The devices to communicate with the user need to be engineered in an optimised way. Already we
have taken baby steps in that direction. We are already able to control the devices in home, remotely
through a desktop PC or smart phone. Many messaging services have migrated to cloud so as to
provide the service in a wide range of devices like android watches, smart phones, PCs etc. But the
middleware need to be developed more to integrate a wide range of devices and provide the service
customised to each device.

Source: Google Developers

The above diagram shows the outline of the application in a ubiquitous environment. The software
need to detect the current location of the user and need to provide the view as per the context and
customised to the device in which the information is being displayed. For example, WhatsApp can
deliver the messages to the user in the smart phone or in the desktop or in the android watches. These

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applications still have a wide scope of improvement so as to provide the service based on the location
and context of the user, and to extent the services to even more devices.

2.3.

User Perspective: Experience

The main aim of ubiquitous computing is to bring the computer to live out here in the world with
people. So the user interface is an important aspect. Most of the latest devices out there in the modern
world is touch based which is easy to use. The latest advancement in this field is the Sixth Sense
technology and Google glass which could fuel the UI for ubiquitous computing. However the
software of the UI could be improved tremendously, so that the device picks up the scenario in which
the user is and provide the output accordingly.
The different devices that are out in the world have different UI and the user need to learn how to
operate the devices. The UI could be improved so that the user will be intuitive of the operations and
functions of the device. If we think in an alternate way, the user should not feel the presence of a UI,
it should be closely fused into our daily lives.
Best practises to help us to navigate through these issues are as follows:
Simple
The user experience should be so simple that it is effortless.
Contextual
Bring the relevant information to the user based on the location, time or activities that the user is
involved in.
Immediate
The experience should be so fast, that it feels immediate.
Extensible
Extend the application to all the devices out there in the world.
Even though we have improved the UI drastically in the last few years, we still have loads to
improvise and innovate new interfaces.

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3. Sample Applications in ubiquitous computing

1. Retail
Applications in retailing are currently based on the use of cheap RFID transponders, which (as a
supplement or replacement for barcodes) are attached to product packaging or larger containers. In
this way, it becomes possible to identify goods at any time and at any point along the supply chain.
Based on this information, it is possible to predict supply and demand for certain products more
quickly and accurately and to organize procurement, picking, packing and distribution more efficiently.
2.

Messaging Services

The messages could be received either in the android watch or in the smart phone depending upon
the time and location of the user. And the user could reply to the message through voice without even
touching the device. The device could even read out the message to the user so that the user need not
even look at the message.
3. Logistics
The items that are shipped can be tagged with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag so that
we can track the current location of the item easily. Based on this we could predict the delivery time
of the item and the receiver could be prepared for receiving it.
4. Personal identification
The passport can be embedded with the RFID chips containing the information related to the citizen.
Individuals can be implanted with RFID tags, so that they could be identified quickly and provide the
services (like VIP services) in less time.

4. Major Issues
The main concern that was raised are privacy issues. What if the data in the passport is read by any
RFID reader that comes in close proximity and use it to clone the passport? What if anyone can track
an item that is in transit? What if a smart device like android watch was stolen and it still receives the
message or the thief can send messages from the stolen device?
The United States Department of state initially stated that the data in the passport chips could be read
only from a distance of 10 centimetres, but after widespread criticism and a clear demonstration that
special equipment can read the test passports from 10 metres away, the passports were designed to
incorporate a thin metal lining to make it more difficult for unauthorized readers to "skim"
information when the passport is closed.

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More stringent measures like this need to be implemented in all the devices. Recently California have
passed a bill that makes it mandatory to add a kill switch in the smartphones that lets the user to
remotely lock them and wipe them of data in the event they are lost or stolen.
Even though slightly positive effects are expected for the application elds of security, medicine and
production, moderately negative effects are expected in other application contexts. A ubiquitous
computing design for privacy that conforms to data protection standards is regarded as a requirement
for ensuring privacy. Only a system architecture that protects privacy from the outset can prevent
serious conicts in data protection from developing.

5. Future Potential
Ubiquitous computing will permeate everyday lifeboth private and workingand is therefore
expected to have far-reaching consequences that will be reflected in a variety of socio-economic
contexts.
Economic Impact: Among the economic effects associated with ubiquitous computing, work
efciency in particular is expected to improve. This will become most apparent in the key economic
areas of production, logistics and commerce. Moderately positive effects are anticipated for
increasing energy and resource efciency in all areas of application. Signicant increases
are expected, however, in production and especially logistics. Indeed, the potential of ubiquitous
computing for commerce and production is immense because of its ability to self-organize and control
industrial processes. Such self-organization depends on several things, including the availability of
fully developed knowledge-based systems. Developing these systems in turn, however, poses
a signicant challenge. Finally, newly adapted recycling procedures will be needed to allow for the
re-use of ubiquitous computing components that have been integrated and embedded into everyday
objects.
Social Impact: Clear positive effects are predicted in the personal activities in medicine, the home,
communications and automobiles, while moderately positive effects are expected in inner and
external security, and in production, logistics and commerce. Improvements in safety are anticipated
primarily in military and security-related applications, especially in medical applications.
Nine areas of application in which ubiquitous computing is already recognizable and is very likely to
play a decisive role in the future are mentioned below.

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Communications:
As a cross-application, the communications area affects all forms of exchange and transmission of
data, information, and knowledge. Communications thus represents a precondition for all information
technology domains.
Logistics:
Tracking logistical goods along the entire transport chain of raw materials, semi-nished articles, and
nished products (including their eventual disposal) closes the gap in IT control systems between the
physical ow and the information ow. This offers opportunities for optimizing and automating logistics that are already apparent today.
Motor trafc:
Automobiles already contain several assistance systems that support the driver invisibly. Networking
vehicles with each other and with surrounding telematics systems is anticipated for the future.
Military:
The military sector requires the provision of information on averting and ghting external threats that
is as close-meshed, multi-dimensional, and interrelated as possible. This comprises the collection and
processing of information. It also includes the development of new weapons systems.
Production:
In the smart factory, the ow and processing of components within manufacturing are controlled by
the components and by the processing and transport stations themselves. Ubiquitous computing will
facilitate a decentralized production system that will independently congure, control and monitor
itself.
Smart homes:
In smart homes, a large number of home technology devices such as heating, lighting, ventilation and
communication equipment become smart objects that automatically adjust to the needs of theresidents.
E-commerce:
The smart objects of ubiquitous computing allow for new business models with a variety of digital services to be implemented.These include location-based services, a shift from selling products to
renting them, and software agents that will instruct components in ubiquitous computing to initiate
and carry out services and business transactions independently.
Inner security:
Identication systems, such as electronic passport and the already abundant smart cards, are applications of ubiquitous computing in inner security. In the future, monitoring systems will become increasingly importantfor instance, in protecting the environment or surveillance of key infrastructure such as airports and the power grid.
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Medical technology:
Increasingly self-sufficient, multifunctional, miniaturized and networked medical applications in
ubiquitous computing offer a wide range of possibilities for monitoring the health of the elderly in
their own homes, as well as for intelligent implants

6. Summary
Ubiquitous computing is a highly dynamic paradigm that harbors a tremendous potential. It is a technology that recedes into the background of our lives. Considering that ubiquitous computing is in its
infancy and the necessary technologies are at best partially available or not at all, it is impossible to
foresee all of its social implications. However, the technological vision of ubiquitous computing is
clearly recognizable in its contours and its technical implementation and application within the next
ten years seems generally possible. The major road-block is the underlying science which is not yet
fully developed, the software and the middleware technologies and the user interface. The difficulty
lies in following its development attentively, addressing and meeting the grand challenges and shaping it actively to exploit its positive effects while avoiding its potential negative effects as much as
possible.

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REFERENCES
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/22702/ubiquitous-computing
www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/pervasive_computing.html
http://www2.futurelab.org.uk/resources/publications-reports-articles/web-articles/Web-Article497
http://www.ubiq.com/hypertext/weiser/UbiHome.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YFGN8vCYm4
http://ocw.metu.edu.tr/pluginfile.php/1177/mod_resource/content/0/Schedule/se705_week14.pdf
https://www.vs.inf.ethz.ch/publ/slides/MatternPorquerolles.pdf
http://www.mva.me/educational/hci/read/ubiquitous_computing.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-frequency_identification
http://www.academia.edu/2579314/Ubiquitous_Computing_Applications_Challenges_and_Future_
Trends

UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING: | Experience, Design and Science