Introduction
The technology around us evolves at an unprecedented pace. Time and time again, we have seen things that seem like science fiction become reality. From holographic technology to AI assistants managing our homes and schedules. Interaction with computers and artificial intelligence are becoming effortless, increasingly stylish, and ubiquitous.
Ubiquitous computing (ubicomp for short) is the seamless integration of technology into our everyday lives, so much so that we are unaware of its presence. This improves efficiency and convenience in many ways. For ubiquitous computing to be successful, it’s important that the system is aware of context, able to collaborate, and appears invisible. An example of these technologies is self-driving electric cars. These cars are increasing road safety and reducing traffic without any help from a driver.
It is important to remember that the integration of technology is meant to augment human capabilities rather than replace them. The aim is to maximize productivity, efficiency, and overall human potential. The evolution of technology is fundamentally intertwined with our growth and progress as a species.
The following interactive timeline demonstrates the progressive movement toward making technology ubiquitous.
The ARPANET is created
– Ubiquitous computing was introduced by computer scientist Mark Weiser.
– Xerox PARC develops the Alto.
The World Wide Web is invented by Tim Berners-Lee.
The term “ubiquitous computing” became more recognized. Research and development in this field increased
– Internet of Things (IoT) is born.
– Emergence of smartphones and mobile applications.
– IoT became more prevalent, integrating various devices and sensors
– Wearable technology gained popularity
– Ubiquitous computing continues to advance with smart devices.
– Smart homes, smart cities, and connected ecosystems are good examples of the growth of ubiquitous computing.
Ubicomp and the Internet of Things
Many devices are embedded with certain features that enable them to collect or exchange data with other devices over the internet. The IoT (Internet of Things) serves as the infrastructure that interconnects physical devices with digital networks, which makes ubiquitous computing possible.
Advantages of ubicomp
Efficiency and convenience: the goal is to develop technologies that complement our activities without being intrusive, for example, smart homes, wearable technologies, self-driving cars, and many more. It makes our tasks easier and more convenient.
Productivity: by streamlining processes, automation, and reducing manual tasks, these technologies enable individuals to focus on more complex or creative work and boost overall productivity.
Personalized Experiences: Devices and systems can adapt to individual preferences, providing a tailored experience for each user.
Ubiquitous Computing Interfaces
Artificial intelligence
AI is a key trend in the future of our technology. AI assistants are becoming seamlessly integrated into our lives. Humane’s AI pin is a good example of this. Humane is a hardware and software company founded by Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri. They are working on a device that can interact with us in new and innovative ways that don’t require screens. Designed with the users in mind, these small wearable pins are comfortable to wear, provide contextual information, and are screenless, meaning we don’t have to interrupt what we are doing to look at a screen.
Transparent Interfaces
As we advance in our ubiquitous computing endeavors, we move closer and closer to invisible interfaces where technology seamlessly blends into our environments. Although they may not be directly related to the computational aspects of ubicomp, smart glass, interactive glass partitions, and transparent TV screens represent the physical manifestation of ubiquitous computing principles.
Smart glass is a type of glass that can alter its properties at the touch of a button. By simply applying voltage, the glass’ heat transmittance can be changed (Wong & Chan, 2014). Imagine windows controlling the temperature of a building, and envision an office where the walls can transition from transparent to opaque seamlessly, offering functionality and aesthetics.
Smart glass partitions allows interaction through touch and various input methods, offering a dynamic and immersive work or educational environment.
Transparent television screens are revolutionizing our home entertainment. Manufacturers use two major see-through display technologies, LCD and OLED, to produce transparent television screens.
Immersive technologies
Alongside transparent and screenless developments, immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) play a crucial role in shaping our future interactions with technology.
Virtual reality (VR) transports users virtually, generally via a headset that blocks out the view of the real world and displays a computer-generated environment. Thanks to its immersive nature, VR allows us to explore virtual worlds and interact with virtual objects, enables the practice of real-world tasks in a safe and controlled environment, and so much more.
Augmented reality (AR), on the other hand, does not block the physical environment from the user but adds an interactive layer over the world we see. An example of new AR technologies is Sightful’s promising new device, the Spacetop, a laptop which uses AR glasses instead of a traditional monitor. While the technology is innovative, there are still many constraints and challenges regarding AR technology.
The future of technologies and ubicomp
And this leads to an intriguing question: Will the future of our technologies be screenless or at least have fewer screens? Could we soon witness technologies like the holodeck featured in Star Trek, where people use holodeck simulations for interactive educational and entertainment purposes?
Sources and further reading
Wong, K. V. & Chan, R., 2014. Smart Glass and Its Potential in Energy Savings. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, Volume 136, pp. 1-6.
Featured image: Photo by Marina Hinic from Pexels