Intelligent Environments (Hb 2008)

Relatively new research ?elds such as ambient intelligence, intelligent envir- ments, ubiquitous computing, and wearable devices have emerged in recent years. These ?elds are related by a common theme: making use of novel technologies to enhance user experience by providing user-centric intelligent environments, - moving computers from the desktop and making computing available anywhere and anytime. It must be said that the concept of intelligent environments is not new and beganwithhomeautomation. Thechoiceofnameforthe?eldvariessomewhatfrom continent to continent in the English-speaking world. In general intelligent space is synonymous to intelligent environments or smart spaces of which smart homes is a sub?eld. In this collection, the terms intelligent environments and ambient int- ligence are used interchangeably throughout. Such environments are made possible by permeating living spaces with intelligent technology that enhances quality of life. In particular, advances in technologies such as miniaturized sensors, advances in communication and networking technology including high-bandwidth wireless devices and the reduction in power consumption have made possible the concept of intelligent environments. Environments such as a home, an of?ce, a shopping mall, and a travel port utilize data provided by users to adapt the environment to meet the user’s needs and improve human-machine interactions. The user information is gathered either via wearable devices or by pervasive sensors or a combination of both. Intelligent environments brings together a number of research ?elds from computer science, such as arti?cial intelligence, computer vision, machine learning, and robotics as well as engineering and architecture.

Researchers involved in the Intelligent Environment field are working towards a future where humans live in autonomous and adaptive environments; where public and private spaces are endowed with intelligence that enhances user experience and improves quality of life.

Each chapter in the book describes an example of intelligent environment, focussing on the artificial intelligence technique employed to create the environment. The book also introduces engineering solutions to the problem of understanding and modelling complex scenes via multi-modal arrays of sensors. This collection contains contributions from key researchers in the field. Topics covered include:

• Ontology learning
• Multi-agent methods
• Multi-sensor fusion
• Intelligent human-environment interaction
• Advanced human-computer interaction
• Conventional and embedded robotic solutions
• Ambient representation and innovative sensors

This book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in academia and industry wishing to learn more about ambient intelligence and its potential impact on society.