Ambient Intelligence and Ubiquitous Computing

Abstract

Ambient intelligence and ubiquitous computing characterize intelligent, pervasive and unobtrusive computer systems embedded into human environments, tailored to the individual's context-aware needs. Such miniaturised modern information and communication technology (ICT) supports humans by offering information and guidance in various application areas. Ambient intelligence leads to ambient learning by embedding individual learning activities in every day life. The learners participate and co-operate in, for example, syndicating, re-mixing, or creating learning materials and environments. The main objective of this chapter is to describe the general concepts of ambient intelligence and ubiquitous computing. Thereby, we introduce and analyse various approaches and examples to discuss how the vision of ambient intelligence can support work, learning and knowledge processes. Introduction and DefinitionsThe recent advances in information and communication technology (ICT) evolution will definitely influence human life, especially in terms of communication and interaction:A German salesman of a big European company takes part in an interhe already knows, there are various cultural differences between Europe and Asia in general and specifically between Germany and Japan. To prepare for his visit, he tries to learn some polite Japanese phrases. To collect additional cultural as well as historical information, he also visits a local national exchange program and has to travel to Japan for the first time. As

Technology-induced anxiety: Manifestations, cultural influences, and its effect on the adoption of sensor-based technology in German and Australian hospitals

“…The extensive possibilities for data collection and analysis provided by a sensor-based system enable the invisible and potentially permanent tracking of employees' activities (Bick & Kummer, 2008). These capabilities can cause employees to worry about permanent surveillance, to feel exposed, and to feel their privacy is violated (Barkuus & Dey, 2003;Garfinkel et al, 2005), as nearly all activities, including those that occur during breaks, become transparent.…”

Formal modelling, knowledge representation and reasoning for design and development of user-centric pervasive software: a meta-review

“…• the rise of mobile devices and computing and, later, the emergence of Pervasive Computing (Bick and Kummer, 2008;Krumm, 2009;Satyanarayanan, 2001;Weiser, 1991) • the increasing need for adaptive, particularly user-adaptive (i.e., personalised) software systems (Brusilovsky et al, 2007;Salehie and Tahvildari, 2009;Schneider-Hufschmidt et al, 1993).…”

“…For instance, in the e-learning domain, it is already demonstrated that personalised computer-based instruction is superior to the traditional approaches (Kadiyala and Crynes, 1998). In other words, the pervasive computing vision manifests an unobtrusive, anytime and anywhere (Bick and Kummer, 2008) user experience which requires expansion of the personalisation era to the context-awareness era. In this regard, the computing paradigm has changed from user-computer perspective to context-computing setting perspective.…”

“…It is reasonable to say that with the proliferation of hardware technologies, we have witnessed various advancements in networking technologies, computing power, miniaturisation, energy consumption, materials, sensors, etc. (see Bick and Kummer, 2008;Cook and Das, 2007). However, Pervasive Computing (Satyanarayanan, 2001;Weiser, 1991) is not just about developing small computing residents for real life; a variety of applications exploiting the hardware infrastructure is the other side of the coin.…”

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“…It is reasonable to say that in the sense of hardware technologies we already achieved a lot by considering the advancements in the networking technologies, computing power, miniaturization, energy consumption, materials, sensors etc. [2]. However pervasive computing is not just about developing such small computing residents for the real life, variety of applications exploiting such extended hardware infrastructure are the other side of the coin.…”