The Challenge of Widespread Ubiquitous Computing
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: School of Computer Science
Abstract
Ubiquitous computing (ubicomp) concerns the embedding and distribution of computing into the world around us. The Mixed Reality Laboratory (MRL) at the University of Nottingham has been at the forefront of international ubicomp research for the past six years, creating new ubiquitous devices, establishing the distributed software platforms that are required to knit many such devices together, working with external partners to demonstrate innovative and creative applications of ubicomp, and studying these and then generalising the lessons learned into new design concepts and frameworks. Much of this research has been carried out within EPSRC's Equator project, a six-year, ten million pound Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration that involved eight UK universities and that was led by the MRL. Through Equator and other projects we have successfully laid the foundations for a new interdisciplinary approach to ubicomp research that involves taking emerging technologies out of the laboratory and studying them 'in the wild'. In so doing we have placed the UK in a world-leading position in this field.Following the end of Equator, the MRL is seeking platform funding to sustain its research capacity by retaining and further developing key interdisciplinary researchers and by undertaking speculative new projects to chart out the major new challenges that will arise as ubicomp moves from its current state of isolated installations that are maintained by researchers to being widespread and managed by end-users. At the heart of this emerging agenda are the three research challenges of exploring the temporal, spatial and material expansion of ubicomp. These will be charted through a program of speculative pilot projects, sensitising studies and research challenge sandpits. This will be complemented by a focus on developing collaborations where we will work with external partners to explore two key application domains, the creative industries and everyday living. Finally, we will use platform funding to strengthen our core research capacity, developing our research staff and enhancing our supporting methods and software tools. This programme of activities will enable the MRL to continue to shape the agenda for ubiquitous computing over the next five years and the UK to remain at the forefront of research in this rapidly growing field.
Publications
Ojeda-Hernández DD
(2023)
Screening, synthesis optimization, and scaling-up of phytopathogen antifungals derived from natural hydroxycinnamic acids.
in 3 Biotech
Reeves S
(2015)
The Challenges of Using Biodata in Promotional Filmmaking
in ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction
Benford S
(2013)
Performance-Led Research in the Wild
in ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction
Benford S
(2011)
Creating the spectacle Designing interactional trajectories through spectator interfaces
in ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction
Benford S
(2010)
Performing Musical Interaction: Lessons from the Study of Extended Theatrical Performances
in Computer Music Journal
Egglestone S
(2010)
Recommending Rides Psychometric Profiling in the Theme Park
in Computers in Entertainment
Evans, E
(2014)
We're All a Bunch of Nutters!: The Production Dynamics of Alternate Reality Games
in International Journal of Communication
Rennick-Egglestone S
(2021)
Homes of Stroke Survivors Are a Challenging Environment for Rehabilitation Technologies
in JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies
Rennick-Egglestone S
(2021)
Correction: Homes of Stroke Survivors Are a Challenging Environment for Rehabilitation Technologies
in JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies
Marshall J
(2010)
Sensory Threads
in Leonardo
Green J
(2013)
Exploring attractions and exhibits with interactive flashlights
in Personal and Ubiquitous Computing
Evans E
(2014)
The Malthusian Paradox: performance in an alternate reality game
in Personal and Ubiquitous Computing
Schnädelbach H
(2016)
The immersive effect of adaptive architecture
in Pervasive and Mobile Computing
Schnädelbach H
(2016)
The immersive effect of adaptive architecture
in Pervasive and Mobile Computing
Holger Schnädelbach (Author)
(2012)
Hybrid Spacial Topologies
in The Journal of Space Syntax
Tolmie P
(2012)
"Act natural"
Hoare M
(2014)
Coming in from the margins
Nick Bryan-Kinns (Author)
(2009)
Sensory Threads: Perceiving the Imperceptible
Rowland D
(2010)
Sequential art for science and CHI
Joel Fischer (Author)
(2013)
Designing Mobile Face-to-Face Group Interactions
Reeves S
(2015)
I'd Hide You
Laurier, E
(2014)
Studies of Video Practices: Video at Work
Fosh L
(2016)
Supporting Group Coherence in a Museum Visit
Holger Schnädelbach (Author)
(2011)
Physiological Data in Adaptive Architecture
Fosh L
(2014)
Gifting personal interpretations in galleries
Benford
(2011)
Performing Mixed Reality
Benford S
(2012)
Supporting traditional music-making
Tennent P
(2011)
Breathalising games
Marshall J
(2010)
Deception and magic in collaborative interaction
Rennick-Egglestone S
(2021)
Correction: Homes of Stroke Survivors Are a Challenging Environment for Rehabilitation Technologies (Preprint)
Rennick Egglestone S
(2009)
Supporting the design of network-spanning applications
Benford S
(2009)
From interaction to trajectories
Fischer J
(2009)
Inferring player engagement in a pervasive experience
Rennick-Egglestone S
(2016)
Health Technologies 'In the Wild'
Tolmie, Peter; Rouncefield, Mark
(2013)
Ethnomethodology at Play
Description | The flexibility of platform funding enabled us to explore the challenge of widespread ubiquitous computing, moving this key technology out of the lab into diverse real-world settings. Platform funding supported over 15 sensitising studies, pilot projects, and infrastructure developments, with the following direct outcomes: • Nineteen publications (directly acknowledging platform funding), including 2 papers in ACM Transactions on CHI [9,10], papers in Leonardo and Computers in Entertainment, 5 papers at the CHI conference [1,11,12,14,17] and also papers at the CSCW, ECSCW and ACE conferences. • Building our international research network by supporting visiting researchers to the MRL including Andruid Kearne (Texas A&M), Keith Edwards and Becki Grinter (Georgia Tech), Mike Twidale (Illinois) and Floyd Mueller (RMIT). • Establishing our Distinguished Speaker Programme that has brought leading international thinkers to the lab including Robin Milner (Cambridge), Bill Gaver (Goldsmiths), Anthony Steed (UCL), Lars Erik Holmquist (Centre for Mobile Life), Wendy Hall (Southampton), Joe Svenyek (Glasgow), Kristina Hook (Centre for Mobile Life), Atau Tanaka (Newcastle), Geraldine Fitzpatrick (Vienna), Keri Facer (Bristol), and Alan Dix (Lancaster). However, the greatest value of platform funding has been in sustaining the MRL in the gap between the Equator IRC (which we led) finishing in 2007 and the Horizon Hub beginning in 2009. Platform funding bridged key researchers across this gap, funded essential feasibility work from which we refreshed our grant portfolio, and supported the development of our researchers leading to a lectureship and three personal fellowships. |
Exploitation Route | Through enabling technologies and platforms for interactive experience and through an increase in capacity in terms of a flow of people between research and industry. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Creative Economy Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
URL | http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/mixedrealitylab/ |
Description | This platform funding provided underpinning support for the Mixed Reality Lab, being used to retain key staff and develop new ideas as the basis for future funding proposals. It supported over 15 sensitising studies, pilot projects, and infrastructure developments, with the direct impacts on industry, most notably through the artists residency scheme described in the section on secondments. A wider impact of this platform funding has been to lay the foundations for establishing the Horizon Digital Economy Hub and Centre for Doctoral Training at Nottingham that has ultimately engaged with a network of over 200 industry partners. |
First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Energy,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Cultural Economic |
Description | An Augmented Mirror for capturing and Displaying Personal Data |
Amount | £172,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Unilever |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2013 |
End | 09/2014 |
Description | Bridging the Rural Divide |
Amount | £230,515 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I001816/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2010 |
End | 06/2012 |
Description | Building Global Engagements at the University of Nottingham |
Amount | £499,088 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/K003941/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2012 |
End | 03/2013 |
Description | Crowdsourcing Video Coverage of Marathons |
Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | YouTube |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start | 03/2012 |
End | 02/2013 |
Description | Data wear |
Amount | £115 (GBP) |
Organisation | Unilever |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2013 |
End | 02/2014 |
Description | EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training |
Amount | £3,354,859 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2014 |
End | 03/2023 |
Description | Platform Grant |
Amount | £1,225,669 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2014 |
End | 10/2019 |