Is this farewell to the mouse and keyboard?
BT’s research explores the future of computing as intelligent devices, embedded in everyday objects, surround our daily lives
Computer processors have become so small, so cheap to manufacture, and so powerful that their presence in everyday electrical and electronic items has become commonplace. Research at BT predicts that in the future this computer intelligence will be present in more and more everyday objects.
This, in turn, will create a gradual change in the way computers permeate our lives, shifting from the interface of the standard mouse and keyboard, to more natural means of interacting with intelligent devices.
Mike Carr, director, research and venturing, BT said: “Computer technology is fast moving away from monolithic, ugly cream-coloured boxes, to a world where tiny computers are embedded everywhere. And soon those tiny computers will be wirelessly connected, giving them access to other intelligent devices spread around our homes, offices and cars.”
In the 1980s, Mark Weiser, a seminal researcher of pervasive technology computing, based at Xerox’s labs in the USA, argued that the most profound technologies are those that disappear, weaving themselves into the fabric of our everyday lives until they are indistinguishable from it. He made an additional point that when it comes to technology, if people learn something sufficiently well, they cease to be aware of it. While ahead of its time, thanks to advances in technology, his vision is now becoming a reality because while ‘ubiquitous’ computing will enable nothing fundamentally new it will make everything faster and easier to do.
One example, of this is in cars which fifteen to twenty years ago did not feature computers as standard. Today all cars are heavily reliant on computers although the driver and passengers are largely unaware of it. Computing power built into many cars tells us when it needs to be serviced, miles per gallon figures and how far it can go until it runs out of petrol. These features are becoming standard on more and more cars and drivers will soon expect them to come as part of the package.
Researchers also assert that the interface, or technical barrier, we must go through to connect to information is becoming less and less onerous: it’s what it helps us do that’s important and users’ focus will be on the task in hand rather than the technology. Mike added: “Computing as we’ve known it until now is going through a process of slow but steady transformation. The mouse and keyboard soon won’t be the default interfaces for every interaction with an intelligent device.
“More natural interaction is on the way in. Until now, we humans have had to accommodate technology, and carry out tasks according to what objects are available to us. Those days are drawing to a close. Technology will surround us, and we will be able to access information in a more intuitive, convenient way.”
Another example, is in an area where BT has placed much time and effort in research and development, is in the field of telecare. Here, by placing monitoring technologies in the homes of elderly citizens to non-obtrusively monitor their well-being, they can be helped to live independently for longer. This works by placing a number of unobtrusive wireless sensors in key locations throughout the home, such as the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room. These sensors monitor movement within the home, room temperature, chair occupancy, use of certain facilities and the status of external doors and windows. The sensors communicate with an intelligent 'in-home' unit that processes the information and alerts the person in the home if there is a cause for concern, should no response be received the system then sends an alarm to a call centre. This technology enables older people to feel safer in the knowledge that help is close at hand.
