Thema van de studiereis: Smart Surroundings
28-11-2007 22:38 (bericht geplaatst in Nederland)
28-11-2007 22:38 (bericht geplaatst in Nederland)
Niet onbelangrijk, maar tot nu toe nog niet besproken op mijn site, het thema van de studiereis. Zoals de titel al aangeeft ligt de nadruk op Smart Surroundings, wat dit precies inhoud wordt hieronder uitgelegd. De tekst is afkomstig van de officiële website van de studiereis en is daardoor in het Engels geschreven.
The computer is gradually becoming a more important part of our daily lives. We are interacting more and more with computers, whether it is to search for information, entertainment or something different. In order to make our life easier and safer, sensors or even entire computers are being integrated in everyday objects and into our environment. The environment becomes aware of the happenings, itself and the content. Applications of the theme include sensor networks, to regulate movement within a building or even an entire city, RFID chips for identification, and smart interfaces, which interact with their surroundings in an entirely natural way.
As computers are becoming more important and less ‘visible’, it is interesting to see in which direction these rapid innovations are heading. Smart Surroundings is more often called Ambient Intelligence in the professional branche. A number of examples of Smart Surroundings are:
Not only computers that you do not see are covered by the theme of Smart Surroundings. Also computers which are more in the forefront are among them. These computers have smart interfaces, which allow a natural and intuitive form of interaction. Instead of a mouse and keyboard, spoken natural language and holographic imaging can be used. Some examples of these are:
The above mentioned examples are only a few of a wide range of aspects in the theme of Smart Surroundings. Also robotics, large scale sensor networks, RFID chips, other wireless technologies and virtual environments, can be considered aspects of our theme. All these technologies are capable of making life safer and more enjoyable; and are therefore a very interesting topic in the ICT world.
Terug naar vorige pagina - Bericht afdrukkenThe computer is gradually becoming a more important part of our daily lives. We are interacting more and more with computers, whether it is to search for information, entertainment or something different. In order to make our life easier and safer, sensors or even entire computers are being integrated in everyday objects and into our environment. The environment becomes aware of the happenings, itself and the content. Applications of the theme include sensor networks, to regulate movement within a building or even an entire city, RFID chips for identification, and smart interfaces, which interact with their surroundings in an entirely natural way.
As computers are becoming more important and less ‘visible’, it is interesting to see in which direction these rapid innovations are heading. Smart Surroundings is more often called Ambient Intelligence in the professional branche. A number of examples of Smart Surroundings are:
Imagine your house is equipped with sensors that are capable of registering your physical condition and emotional state. This house is then able to adapt the light intensity or background music to your specific needs and desires. In case of an emergency the house is capable of calling a doctor and/or the emergency hotline (‘112’ in the Netherlands).
Or a refrigerator that knows exactly what its contents are. It can order refills for products that are running out. Or it can warn you if a product has gone bad, or even remind you to finish a product before its expiration date.
A more concrete example is technology that is supposed to make driving safer, by letting cars communicate with each other. Data of other vehicles and the state of other vehicles in the immediate vicinity can be made available to the driver. Even those cars that aren’t in direct line of sight of the driver are recognised; blind spots are no longer a problem. And when emergency vehicles are approaching the driver can be notified of the direction and speed they are coming from and it can give an advice for making room in the best possible way.
Or a refrigerator that knows exactly what its contents are. It can order refills for products that are running out. Or it can warn you if a product has gone bad, or even remind you to finish a product before its expiration date.
A more concrete example is technology that is supposed to make driving safer, by letting cars communicate with each other. Data of other vehicles and the state of other vehicles in the immediate vicinity can be made available to the driver. Even those cars that aren’t in direct line of sight of the driver are recognised; blind spots are no longer a problem. And when emergency vehicles are approaching the driver can be notified of the direction and speed they are coming from and it can give an advice for making room in the best possible way.
Not only computers that you do not see are covered by the theme of Smart Surroundings. Also computers which are more in the forefront are among them. These computers have smart interfaces, which allow a natural and intuitive form of interaction. Instead of a mouse and keyboard, spoken natural language and holographic imaging can be used. Some examples of these are:
In the Star Trek series they have some sophisticated food dispensers. They just speak to the computer and tell them what they want to eat. If you want a burger you just say the word and get one, if you want a coffee you’ll get a coffee, if you want something else, just tell the computer what you want and it will get it for you. Spoken natural language is a natural way to interact with devices. If it is a Star Trek food dispenser, a regular coffee machine, your radio or the lights in the house, buttons won’t be necessary to get your devices to perform their tasks.
When communicating with someone at the other side of the world, that person and its direct environment can be projected life-like on a wall or a screen. Another step forward would be a fully animated life-like 3D hologram of the person projected in your room. These technologies create the illusion that you and the other person are in the same room. With both the image and the hologram, this creates the feeling that the interaction is more physical and in person instead of through an electronic medium.
A more concrete example in this area is the current hype in video gaming. Current home consoles are using game controllers that are capable of sensing movements, position and stance. Although the input only requires the controller to move and therefore the player’s hand, the player can choose to use a complete body motion and still be capable of playing the game perfectly. Another gamecontroller is using a camera as a means of capturing body motions/postitions. This makes the game more immersive. The player isn’t required to press buttons to move the game’s hero; now the player is the hero.
When communicating with someone at the other side of the world, that person and its direct environment can be projected life-like on a wall or a screen. Another step forward would be a fully animated life-like 3D hologram of the person projected in your room. These technologies create the illusion that you and the other person are in the same room. With both the image and the hologram, this creates the feeling that the interaction is more physical and in person instead of through an electronic medium.
A more concrete example in this area is the current hype in video gaming. Current home consoles are using game controllers that are capable of sensing movements, position and stance. Although the input only requires the controller to move and therefore the player’s hand, the player can choose to use a complete body motion and still be capable of playing the game perfectly. Another gamecontroller is using a camera as a means of capturing body motions/postitions. This makes the game more immersive. The player isn’t required to press buttons to move the game’s hero; now the player is the hero.
The above mentioned examples are only a few of a wide range of aspects in the theme of Smart Surroundings. Also robotics, large scale sensor networks, RFID chips, other wireless technologies and virtual environments, can be considered aspects of our theme. All these technologies are capable of making life safer and more enjoyable; and are therefore a very interesting topic in the ICT world.
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