ETH Zurich : Computer Science : Pervasive Computing : Distributed Systems : Research : M-Lab

M-Lab - The Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing Lab

A Research Project in Cooperation with the Distributed Systems Group

Ubiquitous computing is the basic technology behind the next innovation thrust to follow e-Business. Ubiquitous computing makes smart things possible, such as smart drugs, merchandise or car parts, transport containers or laboratory equipment. Smart things consist of classic physical products with integrated and largely invisible microelectronics, such as e.g. sensors, processors, transmitters and smart labels.

The M-Lab concentrates on identifying and creating effective business applications for smart things in the area of business-to-business — from the idea through to the prototype. Within this area its interest centers on the fields of life sciences, retail, automotive, and logistics. It has built up a critical mass of highly qualified researchers and practitioners in the field of ubiquitous computing, who move in international circles where technology and applications are concerned, and contribute towards the creation of short and medium-term competitive advantage.

The M-Lab is joint project of the HSG (University of St. Gallen) and the ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology). Several companies work together with Prof. Elgar Fleisch (business management) and Prof. Friedemann Mattern (computer science) and a core team of PhD students on specific company-related problems and general issues associated with ubiquitous computing.

The list of past and present project partners includes the following companies:

Starting out as a pioneer in bringing together academic and industrial research in RFID and other ubiquitous computing technologies, M-Lab identified important research questions in different areas. These questions laid the foundation for a number of other projects and initiatives, such as the Bits to Energy Lab, the Fosstrak EPC Network middleware, or the Auto-ID Lab Switzerland, that continue and expand the work initiated by M-Lab.

This project ended in December 2008.

See also the following related items:

• Fosstrak (formerly Accada) (project)
• Bits to Energy Lab (lab)

Selected Publications

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

• Christian Floerkemeier, Matthias Lampe
  RFID middleware design - addressing application requirements and RFID constraints.
  Proceedings of sOc-EUSAI 2005 (Smart Objects Conference). Grenoble, October 2005
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Matthias Lampe, Christian Metzger, Elgar Fleisch, Oliver Zweifel
  Digitally Augmented Collectibles.
  Poster abstract. Adjunct Proceedings of 8th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST), Seattle, October 2005
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf), Talk (.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)
  
  
• Matthias Lampe, Christian Floerkemeier, Stephan Haller
  Einführung in die RFID-Technologie.
  In: Elgar Fleisch, Friedemann Mattern (Eds.): Das Internet der Dinge – Ubiquitous Computing und RFID in der Praxis. Springer-Verlag, pp. 69-86, 2005
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Christian Floerkemeier
  EPC-Technologie – vom Auto ID Center zu EPCglobal.
  In: Elgar Fleisch, Friedemann Mattern (Eds.): Das Internet der Dinge – Ubiquitous Computing und RFID in der Praxis. Springer-Verlag, 2005
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Sandra Gross, Matthias Lampe, René Müller
  Zahlungsverfahren mit Ubiquitous Computing.
  In: Elgar Fleisch, Friedemann Mattern (Eds.): Das Internet der Dinge – Ubiquitous Computing und RFID in der Praxis. Springer-Verlag, pp. 279-290, 2005
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Martin Strassner, Matthias Lampe, Udo Leutbecher
  Werkzeugmanagement in der Flugzeugwartung – Entwicklung eines Demonstrators mit ERP-Anbindung.
  In: Elgar Fleisch, Friedemann Mattern (Eds.): Das Internet der Dinge – Ubiquitous Computing und RFID in der Praxis. Springer-Verlag, pp. 261-278, 2005
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Matthias Lampe, Martin Strassner, Elgar Fleisch
  RFID in Movable Asset Management.
  In: George Roussos (Ed.): Ubiquitous and Pervasive Commerce – New Frontiers for Electronic Business. Computer Communications and Networks, Springer-Verlag, pp. 53-74, 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
  
  
• Kay Römer, Thomas Schoch, Friedemann Mattern, Thomas Dübendorfer
  Smart Identification Frameworks for Ubiquitous Computing Applications.
  Wireless Networks, Vol. 10, No. 6, pp. 689-700, December 2004
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  An earlier version of this paper appeared at PerCom 2003.
  
  
• Christian Floerkemeier, Matthias Lampe
  Issues with RFID usage in ubiquitous computing applications.
  In: Alois Ferscha, Friedemann Mattern (Eds.): Pervasive Computing: Second International Conference, PERVASIVE 2004. LNCS No. 3001, Springer-Verlag, ISBN 3-540-21835-1, pp. 188-193, Linz/Vienna, Austria, April 18-23, 2004
  BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Matthias Lampe, Martin Strassner, Elgar Fleisch
  A Ubiquitous Computing Environment for Aircraft Maintenance.
  ACM Symposium on Applied Computing 2004. Nicosia, Cyprus, March 14-17, 2004
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Sandra Gross, René Müller, Matthias Lampe, Elgar Fleisch
  Requirements and Technologies for Ubiquitous Payment.
  Multikonferenz Wirtschaftsinformatik, Techniques and Applications for Mobile Commerce. Essen, Germany, March 2004
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Matthias Lampe, Christian Floerkemeier
  The Smart Box Application Model.
  In: Alois Ferscha, Horst Hoertner, Gabriele Kotsis (Eds.): Advances in Pervasive Computing, Austrian Computer Society (OCG). ISBN 3-85403-176-9, Vienna, Austria, 2004
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Christian Floerkemeier, Frank Siegemund
  Improving the Effectiveness of Medical Treatment with Pervasive Computing Technologies.
  Workshop on Ubiquitous Computing for Pervasive Healthcare Applications at Ubicomp 2003, Seattle, Washington, October 2003
  BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Christian Floerkemeier, Dipan Anarkat, Ted Osinski, Mark Harrison
  PML Core Specification Version 1.0.
  Auto-ID Center Recommendation (http://www.autoidcenter.org), September 2003
  BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• James Brusey, Christian Floerkemeier, Mark Harrison and Martyn Fletcher
  Reasoning About Uncertainty in Location Identification with RFID.
  Workshop on Reasoning with Uncertainty in Robotics at IJCAI, Acapulco, Mexico, August 2003
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Christian Floerkemeier, Matthias Lampe, Thomas Schoch
  The Smart Box Concept for Ubiquitous Computing Environments.
  Proceedings of sOc'2003 (Smart Objects Conference). pp. 118-121, Grenoble, May 2003
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  
• Frank Siegemund, Christian Floerkemeier
  Interaction in Pervasive Computing Settings Using Bluetooth-enabled Active Tags and Passive RFID Technology together with Mobile Phones.
  Proceedings of PerCom 2003 (IEEE International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communications). pp. 378-387, March 2003
  Abstract, BibTeX, Paper (.pdf)
  
  

Related Student Projects

The following table lists corresponding student projects in our group. Note that some descriptions will be in German.