Pervasive Computing

RUNNING HEAD: PERVASIVE COMPUTING

Pervasive Computing

University of Michigan, Dearborn

Siri D

Management Information Systems

Pervasive Computing

Introduction:

Pervasive computing is the trend towards increasingly ubiquitous (another name for the movement is ubiquitous computing), connected computing devices in the environment, a trend being brought about by a convergence of advanced electronic - and particularly, wireless - technologies and the Internet. Pervasive computing devices are not personal computers as we tend to think of them, but very tiny - even invisible - devices, either mobile or embedded in almost any type of object imaginable, including cars, tools, appliances, clothing and various consumer goods - all communicating through increasingly interconnected networks. In 1991, Mark Weiser introduced the idea of ubiquitous computing: a world in which computers and associated technologies become invisible, and thus indistinguishable from everyday life. This invisible computing is accomplished by means of "embodied virtuality," the process of drawing computers into the physical world. Weiser proposed that computing and communication facilities would follow the evolutionary path of the electric motor.

Characteristics:

      In 2001, Mahadev Satyanarayanan presented aspects of a pervasive computing environment in which instances of Weiser’s ubiquitous computing world could now be explored, given the maturity of computing/communication technologies such as wireless LANs, portable and wearable computers, and sophisticated, embeddable sensors. He also identified several key research areas in pervasive computing: smart spaces, invisibility, localized scalability, and uneven conditioning. Briefly described, a smart space is a well-defined area, open or enclosed, that incorporates a collection of embedded systems (computers, sensors, user interfaces, and infrastructure of services). Invisibility is the intent that users not be... [continues]

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