Ambient Intelligence and Ubiquitous Computing

Computing is everywhere. It can be in wearables including watches, in personal health monitors. This is ubiquitous computing. It can be embedded in furniture, in walls, mirrors. It can be sprayed on as could be envisaged in speckled computing. Another technical direction which has been investigate in a European Union project is that of guardian angels: "The Physical Guardian angel family are quasi invisible, miniaturized, wearable, non-invasive devices designed to accurately and robustly monitor physical and physiological parameters in humans. Physical GA systems integrate multiple sensors (ECG, accelerometers, gyroscopes, pulse oximetry, etc.) securely communicating with each other and with existing gateways (such as mobile phones)." All these advances will mean a greater distribution of computing Power. They will result in a need for new models and approaches to information system management since the IT will not necessarily be contained, nor will assets be easily measured or managed.

Question: Using examples, illustrate the concepts of ambient intelligence, speckled computing and guardian angels. Identify some common characteristics. Explore the extent to which ubiquitous computing is spreading in organisations.

Based on the common characteristics, outline some of the difficulties to be faced in managing such ubiquitous computing and ambient intelligence.

Is there any way of subjecting them to IT asset management, or do such systems mean the eventual loss of control of IT by the IT department?