105,621 research outputs found
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A classification of emerging and traditional grid systems
The grid has evolved in numerous distinct phases. It started in the early â90s as a model of metacomputing in which supercomputers share resources; subsequently, researchers added the ability to share data. This is usually referred to as the first-generation grid. By the late â90s, researchers had outlined the framework for second-generation grids, characterized by their use of grid middleware systems to âglueâ different grid technologies together. Third-generation grids originated in the early millennium when Web technology was combined with second-generation grids. As a result, the invisible grid, in which grid complexity is fully hidden through resource virtualization, started receiving attention. Subsequently, grid researchers identified the requirement for semantically rich knowledge grids, in which middleware technologies are more intelligent and autonomic. Recently, the necessity for grids to support and extend the ambient intelligence vision has emerged. In AmI, humans are surrounded by computing technologies that are unobtrusively embedded in their surroundings.
However, third-generation gridsâ current architecture doesnât meet the requirements of next-generation grids (NGG) and service-oriented knowledge utility (SOKU).4 A few years ago, a group of independent experts, arranged by the European Commission, identified these shortcomings as a way to identify potential European grid research priorities for 2010 and beyond. The experts envision grid systemsâ information, knowledge, and processing capabilities as a set of utility services.3 Consequently, new grid systems are emerging to materialize these visions. Here, we review emerging grids and classify them to motivate further research and help establish a solid foundation in this rapidly evolving area
Robust Computer Algebra, Theorem Proving, and Oracle AI
In the context of superintelligent AI systems, the term "oracle" has two
meanings. One refers to modular systems queried for domain-specific tasks.
Another usage, referring to a class of systems which may be useful for
addressing the value alignment and AI control problems, is a superintelligent
AI system that only answers questions. The aim of this manuscript is to survey
contemporary research problems related to oracles which align with long-term
research goals of AI safety. We examine existing question answering systems and
argue that their high degree of architectural heterogeneity makes them poor
candidates for rigorous analysis as oracles. On the other hand, we identify
computer algebra systems (CASs) as being primitive examples of domain-specific
oracles for mathematics and argue that efforts to integrate computer algebra
systems with theorem provers, systems which have largely been developed
independent of one another, provide a concrete set of problems related to the
notion of provable safety that has emerged in the AI safety community. We
review approaches to interfacing CASs with theorem provers, describe
well-defined architectural deficiencies that have been identified with CASs,
and suggest possible lines of research and practical software projects for
scientists interested in AI safety.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure
Sharing Human-Generated Observations by Integrating HMI and the Semantic Sensor Web
Current âInternet of Thingsâ concepts point to a future where connected objects gather meaningful information about their environment and share it with other objects and people. In particular, objects embedding Human Machine Interaction (HMI), such as mobile devices and, increasingly, connected vehicles, home appliances, urban interactive infrastructures, etc., may not only be conceived as sources of sensor information, but, through interaction with their users, they can also produce highly valuable context-aware human-generated observations. We believe that the great promise offered by combining and sharing all of the different sources of information available can be realized through the integration of HMI and Semantic Sensor Web technologies. This paper presents a technological framework that harmonizes two of the most influential HMI and Sensor Web initiatives: the W3Câs Multimodal Architecture and Interfaces (MMI) and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Sensor Web Enablement (SWE) with its semantic extension, respectively. Although the proposed framework is general enough to be applied in a variety of connected objects integrating HMI, a particular development is presented for a connected car scenario where driversâ observations about the traffic or their environment are shared across the Semantic Sensor Web. For implementation and evaluation purposes an on-board OSGi (Open Services Gateway Initiative) architecture was built, integrating several available HMI, Sensor Web and Semantic Web technologies. A technical performance test and a conceptual validation of the scenario with potential users are reported, with results suggesting the approach is soun
Ergonomic Chair Design by Fusing Qualitative and Quantitative Criteria using Interactive Genetic Algorithms
This paper emphasizes the necessity of formally bringing qualitative and
quantitative criteria of ergonomic design together, and provides a novel
complementary design framework with this aim. Within this framework, different
design criteria are viewed as optimization objectives; and design solutions are
iteratively improved through the cooperative efforts of computer and user. The
framework is rooted in multi-objective optimization, genetic algorithms and
interactive user evaluation. Three different algorithms based on the framework
are developed, and tested with an ergonomic chair design problem. The parallel
and multi-objective approaches show promising results in fitness convergence,
design diversity and user satisfaction metrics
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Multimodal and ubiquitous computing systems: supporting independent-living older users
We document the rationale and design of a multimodal interface to a pervasive/ubiquitous computing system that supports independent living by older people in their own homes. The Millennium Home system involves fitting a residentâs home with sensors â these sensors can be used to trigger sequences of interaction with the resident to warn them about dangerous events, or to check if they need external help. We draw lessons from the design process and conclude the paper with implications for the design of multimodal interfaces to ubiquitous systems developed for the elderly and in healthcare, as well as for more general ubiquitous computing applications
Wearable and mobile devices
Information and Communication Technologies, known as ICT, have undergone dramatic changes in the last 25 years. The 1980s was the decade of the Personal Computer (PC), which brought computing into the home and, in an educational setting, into the classroom. The 1990s gave us the World Wide Web (the Web), building on the infrastructure of the Internet, which has revolutionized the availability and delivery of information. In the midst of this information revolution, we are now confronted with a third wave of novel technologies (i.e., mobile and wearable computing), where computing devices already are becoming small enough so that we can carry them around at all times, and, in addition, they have the ability to interact with devices embedded in the environment. The development of wearable technology is perhaps a logical product of the convergence between the miniaturization of microchips (nanotechnology) and an increasing interest in pervasive computing, where mobility is the main objective. The miniaturization of computers is largely due to the decreasing size of semiconductors and switches; molecular manufacturing will allow for ânot only molecular-scale switches but also nanoscale motors, pumps, pipes, machinery that could mimic skinâ (Page, 2003, p. 2). This shift in the size of computers has obvious implications for the human-computer interaction introducing the next generation of interfaces. Neil Gershenfeld, the director of the Media Labâs Physics and Media Group, argues, âThe world is becoming the interface. Computers as distinguishable devices will disappear as the objects themselves become the means we use to interact with both the physical and the virtual worldsâ (Page, 2003, p. 3). Ultimately, this will lead to a move away from desktop user interfaces and toward mobile interfaces and pervasive computing
Participatory design and participatory development: a comparative review
This paper examines literature in the twin domains of participatory interactive systems design and participatory approaches to international development. As interactive systems are increasingly promoted as a possible means of achieving international development goals, designers generally agree that participatory design approaches should be applied. However, review of the literature reveals that these two different traditions have more complex relationships, and questions must be asked about: the aims of participation, the forms of participation that are being advocated, and the skills and strategies required of practitioners. The findings suggest that successful integration of participatory interactive systems design into development will require careful reflection on the nature of development and the approaches adopted.</p
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