Our Everyday Life Caught in a Network of Smart Objects

Our Everyday Life Caught in a Network of Smart Objects

By Cliff Anders

The Internet of thing describes ‘a world where humans are surrounded by machines that communicate with each other and allow people to interact with the digital world'. It is undeniable that computers and the Internet play an important role in our daily life. In the followings, the examples, concerns and forecasts of the internet of things are discussed. A conclusion is drawn at the end. [1] Sarma & Girão

Talking about smart objects in daily life, one must mention ‘pervasive computing'. ‘Pervasive computing' is also referred as ‘ubiquitous computing'. It means ‘the vision of microscopically small computers integrated into most different sorts of objects and omnipresent in daily life'. The overall idea is everyday objects contain computer chips which are linked to networks over wireless communication in order to exchange information. Let's have a look at the iPod touch or iPhone on your desk or the digital camera you use to take funny photos, we won't even notice we are actually surrounded by various kinds of hi-tech products. Devices now are becoming more and more compact or so-called ‘miniaturized' to support the idea of a network of unnoticeable while smart daily objects. [2] TA-SWISS study

There are many examples of smart object found in daily life. First, in terms of medical treatments, continuous personal health monitoring consists of sensors carried on or implanted in the body of the patients. For example, it keeps track of the respiratory noises or blood sugar level. It provides a complete record of measurement for diagnosis. Also, medical personnel are informed automatically if the patient's state of health deteriorates. Second, in terms of smart labels, smart labels are a generic term used for Radio-frequency Identification. It is a unique ID which provides additional information about the products. This technology can already be seen in the supermarket check-out system. Customers can simply pass through a gate equipped with a reading device. The payment will be automatically deducted from their credit cards. It shortens the waiting time significantly. Smart labels can also help sorting flight baggage and library books automatically. Third, in terms of smart home, more and more new electronic objects are now equipped in a person's home. For example, in the House of the Future in Switzerland, verbal command is used to control various devices. Windows will be closed automatically when it is raining. Purchase orders are placed by the kitchen computer system. The most important function in the house is the remote control system. The home user can control everything in the home at anytime and anywhere. Finally, in terms of vehicle technology, the on-board computers and TV monitors is a common entertainment in cars nowadays. Navigation systems also receive traffic information on route by using wireless data transfer. Safety is another crucial topic for new technology in vehicles. The invention of braking assistance curbs the speed of cars if an obstacle suddenly appears in front of the car. Parking distance control allows the driver of long limousine to park it without collision. [2] TA-SWISS study

The sequel to the network of smart objects is people's concerns towards human health and pollution. Increased objects emit more radio waves which will modify human brain waves to a greater extent. Yet, the scientists have not proved if such a modification is harmful to human health. This topic remains debatable. Increased objects also speed up communication. ‘Objects that in principle would still be functionally sound are increasingly being thrown away.' Consequently, there would be much more tiny electronic refuse, causing problems in recycling during incineration. [2] TA-SWISS study

In 2003, the computer manufacturer IBM forecast that ‘in ten years, a trillion of electronically networked objects could be available to a billion people'. Objects will also be developed to be more user-friendly, context sensitive while remain similar on the surface. With such enhanced objects, people would be relieved of everyday routine activities and thus standard of living is improved. [2] TA-SWISS study

Seven years have passed. Now, in 2010, it is observed that the prediction in 2003 is partially right. Electronic objects have so far been improved in terms of design, innovation and functionality. For instance, one of the most noticeable electronic innovations would be iTouch. People just have to touch the screen to use different kinds of application installed in the iTouch. However, there is still one thing missing in the 2003 forecast. It is the ‘real' coverage of the network of smart things. The coverage is very important because it indicates directly