'Proactive computing' becomes Intel's new buzzword for the far-out future
By Mark LaPedus
Semiconductor Business News
(08/28/01 13:07 p.m. EST)
SAN JOSE -- How about digital firefighters? Digital socks? Or digital bandages?
These are just some of the items that could reshape the meaning of computing in the future, according to the head of R&D at Intel Corp., who was speaking at the opening day of the Intel Developer Forum here.
At the opening keynote speech on Monday, Intel's research director presented a far-out vision of the future, dubbed "proactive computing."
"Proactive computing" does not involve one computer per person, but rather "hundreds of computers per person," explained David L. Tennenhouse, vice president and director of research at Intel. "Proactive computers" include PCs, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and related devices. In the future, Intel believes, end users could carry full-blown computers, which are the size of a U.S. quarter.
These systems, which will ostensibly be driven by high-speed processors, will use sensor technology that can be linked over high-speed networks, according to the "proactive computing" scenario.
"Proactive computers," said Tennenhouse, will be able to anticipate the requirements of an end user, and they will solve several problems all at the same time.
"Today, we feel like chess players playing six games at once," he said. With "proactive computers, we are not working for a computer. They are working for us," he said during Monday's keynote.
In one example of this concept, Intel demonstrated what it calls the "Ad Hoc Network" project, which is being researched at the University of California at Berkeley.
The project involves the concept of end users carrying a tiny system, dubbed a "motes." Each '"mote" is linked to a wireless network, which collects and gathers information to a main system.
Applications include computing, science, and even firefighting. For example, firefighters would wear "motes" in the field to help collect data and solve the problem of putting out a blaze more rapidly, suggested Tennenhouse.
"Motes" could also be used in other fields, including biotechnology and medicine. "Motes" could be worn by hospital patients to track heart rates, blood pressure, and other vital signs, Tennenhouse said.
And these "motes" could be worn in various places, including the feet. In other words, the chip-based "mote" will act as digital bandages or socks, suggested the Intel research manager. |
