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From lighter laptops to tablets to watches to phablets to fitness bands and watches , we live and work and play in a mobile world . And beyond those things we carry , display technologies are advancing rapidly as well — bendable , projected , and all at ever increasing resolution .
Sensor sensibilities
The sheer amount of data coming through sensors is mind-boggling . If the IoT ’ s data had to be interpreted solely by humans , its potential would be severely limited . Ambient computing includes the analysis to turn bits and bytes into insight , and the intelligence can take actions and learn from feedback of those actions .
What will life look like when ambient computing is fully realized ? We believe it will put technology in its proper place relative to people and their potential : Anticipating needs and proactively addressing them . Adapting to changing conditions , and making suggestions that enhance our lives , at work and at play . Today , we gaze at our screens large and small , with obsessive attention — sometimes diminishing our experience of everyday life . Ambient computing makes the technology pay obsessive attention to us — serving us , helping us make good decisions and operate more efficiently . As we pursue advancements , it ’ s not just ambient computing ’ s potential we stand to unlock . It ’ s our own .
Ambient Computing is an area of research in HP labs that relates to fusing our physical and digital worlds through Ambient Intelligence , Smart Surfaces and Natural interaction .
A day in the life
Natural interfaces are a key manner in which ambient computing helps make technology blend into the fabric of daily life . It does this by using and responding to natural language and familiar gestures , and embedding seamlessly into our environment .
6 a . m .
Nora Jones ’ “ Sunrise ” plays . Coffee starts brewing .
8 a . m .
Finish dressing while headlines , weather and traffic updates delivered to bathroom vanity . Traffic delay : sends note to first appointment pushing out 15 minutes .
9:15 a . m . – 3:30 p . m .
Team meetings ; virtual assistant rounds up interview candidates , assembles materials for noon review , orders chocolate donuts and coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up .
3:30 – 5 p . m .
Notification of project over budget ; sends meeting invite to purchasing contact . Home system advises that husband and kids are home from school ; sends a reminder to them to walk the dog and do homework . Remote conference with communications colleague to prep for presentation .
6 p . m .
Freezing tonight ! Virtual assistant suggests hot soup for the family and orders it delivered . Dials up sister to wish happy birthday while warming soup .
Ticky Thakkar is Head of the Emerging Compute Lab , Chief Technologist of Personal Systems , and an HP Fellow , leading efforts relating to the convergence of technologies and bringing customer insights and new thinking into product development efforts .
Louis Kim is Global Head and General Manager of Immersive Computing at HP , with direct responsibility for engineering , design and marketing , and for developing new business models and strategic partnerships .
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10 Innovation Journal Issue 2