Sentient Computing

Sentient computing is a form of ubiquitous computing which uses sensors to perceive its environment and react accordingly. A common use of the sensors is to construct a world model which allows location-aware or context-aware applications to be constructed.

One famous research prototype of a sentient computing system was the work at AT&T Laboratories, Cambridge (now defunct). It consisted of an ultrasonic indoor location system called the "Active Bats" which provided a location accuracy of about 3 cm. The world model was managed via the SPIRIT database, using CORBA to access information and spatial indexing to deliver high-level events such as "Alice has entered the kitchen" to listening context-aware applications. The research continues at the Digital Technology Group at the University of Cambridge.

Some example applications of the system include:

• A "follow-me phone" which would cause the telephone nearest the recipient to ring.
• Teleporting desktops via VNC just by clicking their Active Bat near the computer.
• Spatial buttons which were activated by clicking the Active Bat at a particular spot (such as a poster).
• Measuring and surveying buildings.
• Location-based games