Pervasive computing

Abstract of research of Pervasive computing programme ­- strategic orientation  According to definition, pervasive (ubiquitous) computing covers strongly interconnected structures of various computing devices and services, which autonomously or collaboratively collect and process data and information in order to provide users and organisations with adapted support in various environments and contexts ranging from private, public to business life ­- all this in a reliable manner and by ensuring security and privacy.  Therefore this is a multidisciplinary field that requires expertise from mathematics and logic areas (combinatorial optimization, multivalued logics), to hardware (recently mostly sensors and actuators), to communications technologies (internet, wireless communications, sensor networks), and to services providing information systems level (services oriented architectures, advanced information systems development), where user adapted modeling and user adapted interactions are needed.  Key theoretical premises that are at the core of the research program Pervasive computing, and which are internationally relevant, are new computing paradigms, new algorithms for computationally hard problems, new effective methods for communication and integration of heterogeneous devices and services, new approaches to users modeling, and adapted interactions for context focused users and organisations support.

Pervasive computing is a research domain that has been enabled by technological advances in integration of electronic devices, communications, data and services. As a young research domain it has a strong potential for further development, because the majority of new devices and solutions will be right those that are characteristic for pervasive computing. This will lead to changes in our daily life ranging from private to public and business domain. Taking into account the goals of the program these elements are those that are important for the development of science: the development of new computing paradigms to replace or complement traditional electronic integrated circuits (like quantum cell automata or biological computing); new algorithms for solving NP-hard (and also NP-complete) problems) required by exponentially growing amount of data; new protocols for integration of pervasive systems; new services and new architectures for their integration with existing systems; new methods for users and processes modelling for adaptive support of individuals, groups and organisations in private, public and business settings.

The importance of the Pervasive computing program for the socio-­economic development of Slovenia is as follows: research and development of advanced pervasive computing solutions; quality publications in respected international journals and collaboration in international research consortia; knowledge transfer into study curriculum, education and care for young colleagues careers; active contributions to preserving and promoting Slovene culture and heritage; transfer of successful and promising solutions on the market through collaboration with the industry; establishing new hi-tech companies (spin-offs).