Ubiquitous means ‘everywhere’ So this topic is about everyday objects becoming ‘smarter’ They’re built with processors, sensors and software And they’re connected online It’s also called ‘The Internet of Things’ or ‘Objects’

Ubiquitous computing is where processors are built into everyday objects that are connected online Experts predict that this trend will have a massive impact in many areas of our lives…

We’ll now look at the impact of ubiquitous computing in several everyday areas Clothing Vehicles Buildings Appliances People

Clothing Smart clothing or ‘wearable tech’ has become big news Applications include processors built into running kit to track distance, heartbeat etc. One example is a ‘smart’ shirt from Ralph Lauren…

Clothing http://www.digitaltrends.com/wearables/u-s-open-ball-boys-sport-high-tech-ralph-lauren-shirts/

Driverless cars are already being made by Google and others Vehicles Driverless cars are already being made by Google and others Features include processors built into GPS/satnav to direct the driver Another example is Intel’s Intelligent Transportation…

Vehicles http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/automotive/experiencing-future-intelligent-transportation-video.html

Vehicles – Fleet Tracking for Business Tracking Database Car Fleet Lorry Fleet Business HQ

Vehicles – Fleet Tracking for Business

Buildings ‘Smart’ buildings will use technology to be more green and to respond to people Many products are already available For example, Philips sells lighting controlled by an app and Samsumg has ‘smart’ windows…

Buildings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdvqZNJP6oA

Buildings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5rlTrdF5Cs

Appliances All kinds of home gadgets are being redesigned with processors & sensors One example, is the ‘Smart Home’ concept from Samsung…

Appliances https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BEUnr8evds

People Hardware & software are also helping with health One example is pacemakers Tiny devices implanted in your chest to control your heart rate They have a tiny computer circuit and a special sensor that recognises movement or breathing rate and controls the electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to contract The latest pacemakers can be controlled wirelessly…

People https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csUj9Sv-Q8o

Next, we’ll look at one technology that’s used in lots of applications of ubiquitous computing, such as in high street shops It’s also a technology that’s VERY popular with the exam board So it’s quite likely you’ll be asked a question about this! It’s called RFID or ‘smart tags’ Radio Frequency Identification Tags that use radio waves to transmit data

RFID Smart Tags

RFID – Better than bar codes! Barcodes were created in the 70s They helped stock control And helped speed-up check out But they must be physically scanned (eg red line at checkout) And they are a read-only technology So they can’t send out any info RFID tags are a lot ‘smarter’ Use radio waves to transmit data

RFID ‘smart tag’ RFID Basics RFID readers Chip to store product data Antenna to transmit data via radio waves RFID readers Can scan 30 to 40 tags per second No contact or ‘red line’ needed to scan Gives passive chips power to transmit Tags can transmit from 3 to 300 feet!

RFID Basics

Apologies about the sound quality! RFID – How It Works Apologies about the sound quality! But this clip does explain RFID well! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEQJxNDSKAE

RFID is already common...eg animals

RFID is already common...eg fridges

RFID is already common...eg fridges

RFID is already common... Eg shops

Store Stock Delivery Stock Database

These can be quite tricky questions So what kind of questions could you be asked about ubiquitous computing? These can be quite tricky questions So we need to look at them more closely!

Businesses use ubiquitous computing for stock control purposes. Explain two reasons why a business might use ubiquitous computing to aid stock control (4) One reason is that… A second reason is that…

One reason is that… A second reason is that…

Businesses use ubiquitous computing for stock control purposes. Explain two reasons why a business might use ubiquitous computing to aid stock control (4) RFID smart tags can improve stock control by automatically recording sales and sending immediate updates to the stock database One reason is that the RFID tags can also then be used to track deliveries of new stock to stores and help to keep their stock levels accurate A second reason is that

A local council has a number of vehicles in its fleet A local council has a number of vehicles in its fleet. The council is keen to install tracking devices in the vehicles to monitor their movements. Discuss the proposal considering the impact of the technology on the council and its staff. (8) COUNCIL STAFF

For the council, the advantages of tracking are… For the council, one disadvantage is… For council staff, the advantages include… But the staff might also be concerned that…

COUNCIL Managers can see where the vehicles are and can track where they have been to ensure the drivers have kept to a route and a schedule Managers can stop vehicle misuse by drivers who may want to use the vehicle for personal reasons such as visiting friends or delivery of personal items. Managers can plan where vehicles are going in order to make journeys more efficient eg save on fuel costs or combine journeys in the same area. Tracking can help with stolen vehicle recovery so council/police can find the missing vehicle which saves time and extra costs (eg renting replacement vehicle) Staffing changes will be needed, such as employing a new person to monitor the tracking at an extra cost to employ and train them Existing staff will also need to be trained to use the tracking system in vehicles Data security is also an issue, such as who can access the tracking logs inside the organization and outside (eg police to investigate stolen vehicles) STAFF Some staff may think it’s an invasion of privacy and shows a lack of trust and feel they are being spied on which can cause problems between colleagues But other staff may see that the benefits for the organization are good news for all Could also improve safety for lone workers as they are out on their own in areas that may not be considered safe so they are monitored if there are any problems.