ETH Zurich : Computer Science : Pervasive Computing : Distributed Systems : Publications : Ubicomp

What is Ubiquitous Computing?

Computing power doubles about every two years, and an equally rapid performance increase applies to other important technological parameters such as storage capacity and communications bandwidth. This continuing trend means that in the foreseeable future, computers will become considerably smaller, cheaper, and more abundant. Computing will be ubiquitous.

In particular, we can expect tiny processors and sensors being integrated into more and more everyday objects – household appliances, toys, tools, but also such mundane things as pencils and clothes. All these devices will be interwoven and connected together by wireless networks. There are, of course, some important challenges that need to be addressed when building such an "Internet of everyday items." Highly scalable software infrastructures and new interaction paradigms are just two examples.

A world filled with smart and interacting everyday objects offers a whole range of fascinating possibilities. Some foresee a future where computers, functioning invisibly and unobtrusively in the background, serve people in their everyday lives, freeing them to a large extent from tedious routine tasks. But will technology make people happier? Since ubiquitous computing will pervade almost every aspect of our lives, possible economic consequences, but also social aspects such as privacy, will become issues of prime importance. Ubiquitous computing clearly has the power to change the world!

Below we mention some articles that further explain the technologies, visions, and the implications of ubiquitous computing. For more information on ubiquitous computing and our research activities within that domain, please visit our research overview web page or see the detailed descriptions of our research topics.

Selected Publications

See the Publications of the Distributed Systems Group page for a full listing of our publications.

• Kay Römer, Benedikt Ostermaier, Friedemann Mattern, Michael Fahrmair, Wolfgang Kellerer
  Real-Time Search for Real-World Entities: A Survey.
  Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol. 98, No. 11, pp. 1887-1902, November 2010
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern, Christian Floerkemeier
  Vom Internet der Computer zum Internet der Dinge.
  Informatik-Spektrum, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 107-121, April 2010
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern, Christian Floerkemeier
  From the Internet of Computers to the Internet of Things.
  In: Kai Sachs, Ilia Petrov, Pablo Guerrero (Eds.): From Active Data Management to Event-Based Systems and More. LNCS, Vol. 6462, Springer, pp. 242-259, 2010
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern, Marc Langheinrich
  Eingebettete, vernetzte und autonom handelnde Computersysteme: Szenarien und Visionen.
  In: Albert Kündig, Danielle Bütschi (Eds.): Die Verselbständigung des Computers. vdf Verlag, pp. 55-75, 2008
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern
  Allgegenwärtige Datenverarbeitung – Trends, Visionen, Auswirkungen.
  In: Alexander Rossnagel, Tom Sommerlatte, Udo Winand (Eds.): Digitale Visionen – Zur Gestaltung allgegenwärtiger Informationstechnologien. Springer, pp. 3-29, Berlin Heidelberg New York, 2008
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern (Ed.)
  Die Informatisierung des Alltags – Leben in smarten Umgebungen.
  Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, 2007
  Abstract, BibTeX
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern
  Acht Thesen zur Informatisierung des Alltags.
  In: Friedemann Mattern (Ed.): Die Informatisierung des Alltags – Leben in smarten Umgebungen. Springer, pp. 11-16, Berlin Heidelberg New York, 2007
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  Frühere Version: Tagungsband zum Acatech-Symposium "Computer in der Alltagswelt". Berlin, June 2005
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern
  Virtuelle und reale Welten verschmelzen (Interview).
  asut-Bulletin, No. 4, pp. 22-26, 2007
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern
  Die technische Basis für das Internet der Dinge.
  In: Elgar Fleisch, Friedemann Mattern (Eds.): Das Internet der Dinge – Ubiquitous Computing und RFID in der Praxis. Springer-Verlag, pp. 39-66, 2005
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern
  Ubiquitous Computing: Scenarios from an informatised world.
  In: Axel Zerdick, Arnold Picot, Klaus Schrape, Jean-Claude Burgelman, Roger Silverstone, Valerie Feldmann, Christian Wernick, Carolin Wolff (Eds.): E-Merging Media - Communication and the Media Economy of the Future. Springer-Verlag, pp. 145-163, 2005
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Elgar Fleisch, Friedemann Mattern (Eds.)
  Das Internet der Dinge – Ubiquitous Computing und RFID in der Praxis.
  Springer-Verlag, ISBN 3-540-24003-9, 2005
  Abstract, BibTeX
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern
  Wireless Future: Ubiquitous Computing.
  Proceedings of Wireless Congress 2004. Munich, Germany, November 2004
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Jürgen Bohn, Vlad Coroama, Marc Langheinrich, Friedemann Mattern, Michael Rohs
  Living in a World of Smart Everyday Objects – Social, Economic, and Ethical Implications.
  Journal of Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, Vol. 10, No. 5, pp. 763-785, October 2004
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern
  Ubiquitous Computing: Schlaue Alltagsgegenstände – Die Vision von der Informatisierung des Alltags.
  Bulletin SEV/VSE, No. 19, pp. 9-13, September 17, 2004
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Marc Langheinrich, Friedemann Mattern
  Digitalisierung des Alltags. Was ist Pervasive Computing?
  Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte (B 42/2003), pp. 6-12, October 13, 2003
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  See also Online-Version at www.bpb.de
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern
  Vom Verschwinden des Computers – Die Vision des Ubiquitous Computing.
  In: Friedemann Mattern (Ed.): Total vernetzt. Springer-Verlag, ISBN 3-540-00213-8, pp. 1-41, 2003
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Friedemann Mattern
  Pervasive / Ubiquitous Computing.
  Informatik-Spektrum, Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 145-147, June 2001
  BibTeX