2. Ubiquitous means ‘everywhere’
So this topic is about everyday objects becoming ‘smarter’
They’re built with processors, sensors and software
And they’re connected online
It’s also called ‘The Internet of Things’ or ‘Objects’

3. Ubiquitous computing is where processors are built into everyday objects that are connected online
Experts predict that this trend will have a massive impact in many areas of our lives…

4. We’ll now look at the impact of ubiquitous computing in several everyday areas
Clothing
Vehicles
Buildings
Appliances
People

5. Clothing
Smart clothing or ‘wearable tech’ has become big news
Applications include processors built into running kit to track distance, heartbeat etc.
One example is a ‘smart’ shirt from Ralph Lauren…

6. Clothing

7. Driverless cars are already being made by Google and others
Vehicles
Driverless cars are already being made by Google and others
Features include processors built into GPS/satnav to direct the driver
Another example is Intel’s Intelligent Transportation…

8. Vehicles

9. Vehicles – Fleet Tracking for Business
Tracking Database
Car Fleet
Lorry Fleet
Business HQ

10. Vehicles – Fleet Tracking for Business

11. Buildings
‘Smart’ buildings will use technology to be more green and to respond to people
Many products are already available
For example, Philips sells lighting controlled by an app and Samsumg has ‘smart’ windows…

12. Buildings

13. Buildings

14. Appliances
All kinds of home gadgets are being redesigned with processors & sensors
One example, is the ‘Smart Home’ concept from Samsung…

15. Appliances

16. People Hardware & software are also helping with health
One example is pacemakers
Tiny devices implanted in your chest to control your heart rate
They have a tiny computer circuit and a special sensor that recognises movement or breathing rate and controls the electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to contract
The latest pacemakers can be controlled wirelessly…

17. People

19. Next, we’ll look at one technology that’s used in lots of applications of ubiquitous computing, such as in high street shops
It’s also a technology that’s VERY popular with the exam board
So it’s quite likely you’ll be asked a question about this!
It’s called RFID or ‘smart tags’
Radio Frequency Identification
Tags that use radio waves to transmit data

20. RFID Smart Tags

21. RFID – Better than bar codes!
Barcodes were created in the 70s
They helped stock control
And helped speed-up check out
But they must be physically scanned (eg red line at checkout)
And they are a read-only technology
So they can’t send out any info
RFID tags are a lot ‘smarter’
Use radio waves to transmit data

22. RFID ‘smart tag’ RFID Basics RFID readers Chip to store product data
Antenna to transmit data via radio waves
RFID readers
Can scan 30 to 40 tags per second
No contact or ‘red line’ needed to scan
Gives passive chips power to transmit
Tags can transmit from 3 to 300 feet!

23. RFID Basics

24. Apologies about the sound quality!
RFID – How It Works
Apologies about the sound quality!
But this clip does explain RFID well!

25. RFID is already common...eg animals

26. RFID is already common...eg fridges

27. RFID is already common...eg fridges

28. RFID is already common... Eg shops

29. Store
Stock Delivery
Stock Database

31. These can be quite tricky questions
So what kind of questions could you be asked about ubiquitous computing?
These can be quite tricky questions
So we need to look at them more closely!

32. Businesses use ubiquitous computing for stock control purposes.
Explain two reasons why a business might
use ubiquitous computing to aid stock control (4)
One reason is that…
A second reason is that…

33. One reason is that…
A second reason is that…

34. Businesses use ubiquitous computing for stock control purposes.
Explain two reasons why a business might
use ubiquitous computing to aid stock control (4)
RFID smart tags can improve stock control by automatically recording sales and sending immediate updates to the stock database
One reason is that
the RFID tags can also then be used to track deliveries of new stock to stores and help to keep their stock levels accurate
A second reason is that

35. A local council has a number of vehicles in its fleet
A local council has a number of vehicles in its fleet. The council is keen to install tracking devices in the vehicles to monitor their movements.
Discuss the proposal considering the impact of the technology on the council and its staff. (8)
COUNCIL
STAFF

36. For the council, the advantages of tracking are…
For the council, one disadvantage is…
For council staff, the advantages include…
But the staff might also be concerned that…

37. COUNCIL
Managers can see where the vehicles are and can track where they have been to ensure the drivers have kept to a route and a schedule
Managers can stop vehicle misuse by drivers who may want to use the vehicle for personal reasons such as visiting friends or delivery of personal items.
Managers can plan where vehicles are going in order to make journeys more efficient eg save on fuel costs or combine journeys in the same area.
Tracking can help with stolen vehicle recovery so council/police can find the missing vehicle which saves time and extra costs (eg renting replacement vehicle)
Staffing changes will be needed, such as employing a new person to monitor the tracking at an extra cost to employ and train them
Existing staff will also need to be trained to use the tracking system in vehicles
Data security is also an issue, such as who can access the tracking logs inside the organization and outside (eg police to investigate stolen vehicles)
STAFF
Some staff may think it’s an invasion of privacy and shows a lack of trust and feel they are being spied on which can cause problems between colleagues
But other staff may see that the benefits for the organization are good news for all
Could also improve safety for lone workers as they are out on their own in areas that may not be considered safe so they are monitored if there are any problems.