Ubiquitous Computing at a Crossroads: Art, Science, Politics and Design 

January 6th and 7th 2009
Lecture theatre 311 and room 344, Huxley Building, Imperial College London

Programme

The final programme (including presentation slides) may be found here

Poster Session

Details of the poster prize winners and photos of the session can be found here

Workshop Abstract

Ubiquitous computing is coming of age. The arrival and rapid pace of scientific and technological developments in the last few years has led to an escalation of mobiles, sensors and wireless computing devices. The home, the crèche, outdoors, public places and even the human body are now being experimented with as potential places to embed these computational devices, even to the extent of invading previously private and taboo aspects of our lives. A consequence is that ‘the interface’ is becoming ubiquitous; computer-based interactions can take place through many kinds of surfaces and places.

At the same time the world is currently facing alarming challenges, from energy concerns to economic gloom. Is the field of ubiquitous computing suitably equipped to address these or is it beyond its scope? Are politics, art, science and design of ubiquitous computing now needed as part of the mix? If so what role can each play? What tools, methods and techniques can be leveraged and what new ones are needed?

Three main themes of the workshop were:

(i) Art and Design of Ubiquitous Computing
(ii) Politics of Ubiquitous Computing (sustainability and environment issues)
(iii) Science and Technology of Ubiquitous Computing