Abowd, G., Mynatt, E. and Rodden, T. (2002). The Human Experience. IEEE Pervasive Computing, 1(1), pp.48 – 57.
Collins, K. (2015). The future of smart: how our homes are set to call the shots. [online] WIRED UK. Available at: http://www.wired.co.uk/article/the-future-of-smart [Accessed 1 Aug. 2016].
As the human race constantly strives for a continuous improvement and sustainment of our quality of life, we progress towards a need for smart cities. In this article, Katie Collins describes a future of smart cities where humans live in homes that are abundant in ambient intelligence that is seamlessly integrated into our everyday lives. The result? Intelligent technology capable of making decisions for us in order to assist and improve our lifestyle.
Collins discusses the foundations of a smart home, which starts with a minimum of three devices which are capable of communicating to each other. Many already have the first: a smartphone. From here, consumers can utilize connections of this smartphone to their television, laptop, bluetooth speaker etc. Currently, we have the choice on whether we chose to connect these different products; however, in the near future we may not have a choice as to whether these appliances are automatically connected. Ubiquitous technology could eventually be effortlessly integrated into our everyday lives that instead of controlling it, it could control us.
Collins discusses how humans have developed into quite a lazy species, and how being made so comfortable might mean we won’t push back against the instant connections made by our ambient intelligent technologies and hence we won’t over concern ourselves with what data is being collected about us. Collins claims that according to her sources, by the year 2022 we could potentially have software that can identify us by our heart beats and devices tuned into pattern recognition. Collins also describes how access to these new technologies will not be an issue – once where now technology was considered high-end, there will always be a $70 version.
Miller, M. (2015). The Internet of things : how smart TVs, smart cars, smart homes, and smart cities are changing the world. Indianapolis, Indiana: Que.
Poelman, R. and van Krevelen, D. (2010). A Survey of Augmented Reality Technologies, Applications and Limitations. The International Journal of Virtual Reality, [online] 9(2), pp.1-20. Available at: http://kjcomps.6te.net/upload/paper1%20.pdf [Accessed 29 Jul. 2016].
This journal article is quite a lengthy discussion on the developments of augmented reality technology, and how it can assist us by enhancing our hearing, touch, sight and smell. The authors investigate how computer-generated objects have the potential to co-exist with the real world, and how we have already somewhat embraced AR (augmented reality) through our smart phones (which is an example of hand-held AR). This article proves to be quite a dense discussion on the technicalities behind producing a digital augmented reality, but it does touch on the effects of AR on humans and how it can enrich a person’s lifestyle.
Firstly, the applications of augmented reality are unlimited. The authors discuss AR as a potential contributor to the consumers personalised information system, whereby correspondence over e-mail or phone can be applied as a seamless overlay to our daily lives. Furthermore AR can assist touring and travel, where people are taken on virtual tours of places far away. Whilst some applications of AR may be frivolous, other serious applications can be utilised, including military training, medical purposes, education and collaboration.
The authors do touch on the negatives to AR, including the potential for the collection of data which can track us, assess our environment and so much more. Hence the progression of AR into an easily accessed technology opens the door to overload and over-reliance. Furthermore, the current technology requires helmets and gloves – the authors discuss how AG needs to be less obtrusive in everyday society and more socially acceptable to wear.