Viewpoints

About This Technology

Pervasive computing is the use of information technology and networks to monitor and respond transparently to human needs and desires. An ideal pervasive-computing environment would monitor and recognize the needs and wants of the people in it and would then adjust all aspects of the environment to suit its occupants. In its simplest form, a pervasive-computing environment senses a limited number of variables and uses those variables to serve a basic human need. Strongly pervasive environments could significantly improve the quality of life for many people, especially those who, by virtue of their age or health, cannot modify their environments for their own needs. Should researchers achieve the goal of pervasive computing—and should technology enable networked computing environments that are always on, always available, unobtrusive, and self-adjusting to meet people's wants and needs—the way that people relate to their surroundings will undergo a seismic shift. Greater safety, comfort, and efficiency will produce a variety of dividends. Nonetheless, pervasive computing—like other significant technologies—may also alter human notions of privacy, safety, and perhaps even liberty.

Many obstacles impede progress in pervasive computing. Technology for many envisioned products and services simply does not yet exist. In other cases, available technology is too expensive to allow for reasonably priced commercial products. Another difficulty is lack of interoperability given that many of the goals of pervasive computing, require providers to network devices. Standards and standards bodies may provide a route toward improved interoperability. Open-source–software development might also offer a solution to some interoperability problems. In general, however, companies have been reluctant to embrace an open-source approach to their software and hardware development, seeing it as a competitive disadvantage. Despite the challenges of pervasive computing, the potential benefits of the technology guarantee continued development. Some mildly pervasive systems already exist for use in constrained environments. Predictably, the organizations with the greatest interest in early systems are military forces and other groups that regularly place their employees in hazardous situations. However, the systems that developers create for such applications may have little in common with future pervasive systems for industrial, health-care, or home use. As such, redundant technologies are likely to evolve separately and overlap. This development path will create opportunities to provide a great variety of software and hardware.

Pervasive computing and the technologies that enable pervasive computing will provide business opportunities for suppliers of a wide range of devices, networks, and services. Some of these opportunities already exist; others await invention and development. As pervasive computing becomes more common, the number of wearable, mobile, and embedded sensing and computing devices will increase substantially. Many of these devices will have human interfaces, and demands on networks will increase. These network requirements will create opportunities for infrastructure providers and systems integrators. Most or all of the businesses that supply devices or services to military forces, industries, governments, health-care providers, and consumers will have new opportunities for profit.