Digital Devices in Everyday Environments – DFG Funds Media Informatics Research Project on »Ubiquitous Computing«
As early as 1991, information scientist Mark Weise used the catchphrase »Ubiquitous Computing« to describe a vision of omnipresent data processing. This once-futuristic vision has long been a reality, not least because of the global triumph of smartphones, tablets, and other high-tech devices. There are several communication channels available to transfer information from one device to another, for example Bluetooth, NFC, e-mail, or other smart services. Most users, however, use third-party provider »Cloud Services«. The data is temporarily stored on a centralized, external server. This can be risky in terms of security and privacy.
New, safer ways of transmitting data
Under the direction of Jr. Prof. Dr. Florian Echtler, the research project will enable small computers, such as smartphones, tablets, and other devices to communicate directly with other local devices. With this local, decentralized connection between private devices, redirecting through external servers is no longer necessary, making communication faster and more secure.
One way of doing this is through tangible interaction: a physical action with an everyday device is converted directly into a digital command. »One could, for example, transfer a picture or other content directly to another digital device in the immediate vicinity simply by swiping a smartphone,« says Jr. Prof. Dr. Florian Echtler.
A prerequisite for this type of data exchange is the development by Weimar media informatics specialists of sensor technologies that enable devices to find and localize each other.
Two new positions for hard- and software development
The Mobile Media junior professorship has been working for some time on developing the conditions for »Ubiquitous Computing«. Steps have already been made with connecting smartphones locally to a public screen. The media informatics scientists have succeeded in connecting up to 17 people via personal mobile devices on the screen.
In order to continue advancing this research with the help of DFG funding, two new positions will be created on 1 January 2019 to develop hard- and software for decentralized »Ubiquitous Computing in Everyday Environments« over a three-year period.
Contact Partner:
For questions and information, contact Junior Professor Dr. Florian Echtler, Professorship of Mobile Media, Faculty of Media at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar via telephone at +49 3643 58 3745 or via email at florian.echtler@uni-weimar.de
More information on the Mobile Media Professorship:
www.uni-weimar.de/de/medien/professuren/medieninformatik/mobile-media/