Mobile computing and the IoT offer the potential to provide new applications to support our ageing population. However, there has been little research into the implications for system design of supporting this specific user demographic. In this paper we consider these implications, focusing in particular on an architectural design that offers the potential for complex cross-device analytics while meeting the privacy and usability concerns of older adults.

Research on computer-based recognition of ordinary household activities of daily living (ADLs) has been spurred by the need for technology to support care of the elderly in the home environment. We address the issue of recognizing ADLs at multiple levels of detail by combining multi-view computer vision and radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based direct sensors. Multiple places in our smart home testbed are covered by distributed synchronized cameras with different imaging resolutions. Learning object appearance models without costly manual labeling is achieved by applying the RFID sensing. A hierarchical recognition scheme is proposed by building a dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) that encompasses both coarse-level and fine-level ADL recognition. Advantages of the proposed approach include robust segmentation of objects, view-independent tracking and representation of objects and persons in 3D space, efficient handling of occlusion, and the recognition of human activity at both a coarse and fine level of detail. (4 pages)

Wireless Building Management Systems (BMS) are an attractive option when it comes to building retrofitting due to the cost constraints introduced by wired systems. A crucial part of the wireless BMS is the initial planning stage, this process can be impossible for a designer to undertake, therefore highlighting the requirement for a software design tool to aid in this process. (4 pages)

The concept of ambient intelligence requires software architectures enabling machine intelligence in unstructured dynamic environments. Research in mobile robotics tries to address this field since many years and has successfully created several architectural concepts for behavior-based reactive systems. We describe the architectural and communication-oriented capabilities of the modular controller architecture (MCA) and how ambient intelligence systems may benefit from these. Especially the shared memory approach of MCA offers a great possibility to facilitate distributed dynamic applications. MCA has been developed for mobile robotics research, initially at the FZI in Karlsruhe (K.U. Scholl et al., 2001) and is under continuous development. MCA addresses primitive and object-related communication, re-usability, component-based development, hardware access and application distribution. We want to take a closer look on the MCA framework and how it is already in use within an assisted living environment, established during several projects at Fraunhofer IESE (J. Nehmer et al., 2006) (M. Becker et al., 2007). Several sensors and a mobile service unit were provided by the Robotics Research Lab and the MCA framework was used for service interconnection. An intelligent refrigerator, two human localisation technologies and the mobile service robot ARTOS have MCA running as described in section 3. We present our experiences with the modular controller architecture regarding the parameters identified by the ubiquitous community (M. Weiser, 1991). The outline of this paper is as follows: first the architectural approaches in other projects are mentioned. The modular controller architecture is described in detail, with focus on the requirements of ambient intelligence. We continue by describing our assisted living demonstrator and the services and applications relevant to this work. With reference to our example implementation we conclude the features of MCA that comply to the requirements. Furthermore it is described which future work shall lead to addons and concepts to overcome certain weaknesses in the current system architecture.

This paper discusses the potential of using computer vision systems to determine the usage of architectural spaces with the assistant of cameras. It describes a motion analysis system and explores how this functionality can be used by intelligent spaces to interact with the users in short-term, long-term or periodically, or to assess their usability. (8 pages)

This paper is a very brief summary of a research project which explores, through design and precedent survey, the potential of kinetic architecture to augment our kinesthetic experience of space. The term 'kinetic' here, refers to mechanical and actual motion of the structure which results to changes and modifications of the shape, form and position of the architecture. This research project regards kinetic architecture to be part of the wider context of interactive architecture and discusses issues of spatial experience through the design of an interactively kinetic room. (6 pages)

This paper introduces a novel way to enable users to create temporal smart surroundings easily at open-air events. The final goal of this research was to support social activities in public spaces, such as festivals, camps, and outdoor-ceremonies with ubiquitous computing technologies. We designed and developed universal modular units called "I/O-CRATEs", which are box-shaped units embedded with microcomputers, sensors, actuators, and batteries. We demonstrated the possibilities of our units with a one-night special event. Through this practical experience, we found "I/O-CRATEs" could easily be used to create smart and enjoyable surroundings in many places. (9 pages)

This paper is centered on the use of video-communication and tele-collaborative applications in temporary architecture. Today we live in an electronic society in which computers, mobile phones, Internet have become integral part of our everyday lives. Architecture has to interject the new space characteristics: fluxes and interrelations should become the goal of research. This approach has three significant characteristics: unification of real and virtual worlds both input and output, tele-contiguity between remote participants, convergence of amplified perceptions and sensible spaces. Tele-contiguity is superintended as an improvement of body materiality through sensory amplification and not as an impoverishment of human sensory system: the system should support an environment that looks like a natural and functional extension of the space that people use in their everyday activities. (5 pages)

Project ARS (artificial recognition system) researches the future possibilities for building automation using bionic approaches. It focuses on the combination of bottom-up data processing systems with decision making inspired by modern psychoanalysis. We define a model based on a symbol processing unit and a decision unit implementing Sigmund Freud's ego-superego-id personality model, emotions and drives. This paper describes the basic principles of decision making and the complete connection down to sensors level, it shows some of the challenges in the process and first steps of implementing a prototype system. (8 pages)

The following paper concentrates on examining the built fabric under extreme events. The definition of the extreme within the built environment is analyzed and models for the relief of the phenomenon are considered. The aim is to examine the fluctuations created by the event and to create models of appeasement and design typologies which intent on the imminent relief of the crisis. Theories, such as complexity, self organization, emergence, swarm intelligence, catastrophe theory, bifurcations, networks and systems theories are applied in order to find optimum ways of designing. Generative and evolutionary design, parametric design, is explored. The methodology followed is by simulating (pedestrian movement) the facts and finding optimum design solution. (6 pages)