Challenge Overview
Introduction of various computing devices in our everyday life has been growing and continues to grow exponentially. New form factors (smart phones, tables, digital TVs, game consoles), new kinds of sensors (accelerometers, GPS, proximity sensors, the so-called Internet of Things), new low-level networks (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC), and other technological advances are being introduced in the marketplace, as the pace of innovation continues.
Taken from a high level, all these computing devices are still operating as individual independent nodes. Their ability to interoperate and augment each other is limited to simple, rudimentary modes of cooperation (e.g. send a picture from a smart phone to printer or display it on Digital TV). Interoperability between devices and their applications is predefined by device creators, and often serves narrow purposes.
Taken from a human perspective, all computing devices in our everyday life should be connected in a seamless network, or ensemble of capabilities. Such network should not assume predefined modes of interaction between computing devices, but rather be open to extension and reconfiguration. This project is to develop the reference architecture and methods for implementation of Ensemble Computing.