Tomorrow’s “Smart” technologies will improve everyday life Essay Example for Free

Tomorrow’s â€Å"Smart† technologies will improve everyday life Essay Smart Technology devices would be able to change and improve human life to an extent of having more comfortable home, productive school and a more efficient workplace. Smart Technology devices are systems that used some of the highest level of technology available to man.   These devices are aware of the environment they function.   They are also capable of reacting to certain situations that may arise in the environment (Worden, 2003).   SMART systems are very useful devices, as they would understand the environment they are functioning.    In this paper, we would be looking at how SMART devices could be useful to human beings and make our daily life easier. Let’s now look at the various functions of Smart devices.   It can protect itself from certain eventualities that may arise in the environment.   A car having a smart system is able to detect any vehicle when it gets too close and automatically applies the brakes, so that not only is the car protected, but also most importantly is the user.   Another way in which the smart device would be protecting itself is from a fire.   Several buildings have an automatic fire management system that is able to detect a fire and control it.   Such a system would also be protecting the users (Worden, 2003 Bishop, 2007). A smart device is capable of repairing itself, limiting the damage.   Several smart systems have a repair mechanism that is able to identify damage done on itself, and accordingly repair or limit the damage.   For example, if a computer system has been affected by a virus attack, the systems have embedded software that is able to identify the corrupted files and accordingly isolate or delete them.   In this way, the intelligence of the system would be helping it to work better in the future (Worden, 2003). Another important use of a Smart device is that it is capable of identifying changes that occur in the environment and accordingly adapt to those changes.   The smart device contains several portions, namely the input channels (which may include several sensors), the input system, the interface devices, the central unit or the microcontroller (which contains the microprocessor), the interface, and the output unit.   The input unit contains several sensors to detect the presence of a specific user (Casciati, 2004 Gardner, 2005).    For example, a fingerprint device contains sensors that are able to recognize the user.   Otherwise sensors are able to detect changes that occur in the environment such as temperature changes, pressure changes, stress levels, etc.   A Smart Air conditioner would automatically sense the environmental settings and accordingly change the settings according to the preferences of the user.   The SMART system is in fact similar to the human nervous system.   Like the human parts, it contains sense organs that are able to sense the external data. This is then transferred to the brain or the central processor through nerve connections that carry signals.   When the information reaches the brain or the central processor, it gets processed through several methods such as filtering, organizing, computation, preferences, problem solving, decision-making, scoring, tabulating, and sorting out.   The data, which is processed, may be stored in the SMART system and/or may be transmitted to the connections to the external environment.   The microprocessor present in the system is capable of performing a number of computational tasks (Casciati, 2004 Gardner, 2005). Several of the Smart Devices has several embedded software that enable it to function better and to optimize the functioning.   Nowadays, the development of microchips and microprocessor has been phenomenonal.   They have several algorithms within them, which help to perform the tasks faster and more effectively.   The systems are capable of communicating with the user in a two-way manner.   The process of sending information from one part of the system to another is highly complicated and a refinery would help to transfer the information more efficiently. Some systems also utilize a diagnostics tool to ensure that if any problem exists, the mechanic can be informed immediately of the nature of the problem.   This would ensure that the user does not have any inconveniences if the system goes wrong.   The reporting in a SMART device is of two types, namely predictable (which may occur over a period of time) and unexpected.   As they are able to report both, they are very useful for application (Cougias, 2003 Gardner, 2005).   The smart systems may be very easy to operate and upgrade in case the user wants to have the latest version. Today’s SMART systems are becoming hybrid in nature.   They can perform several tasks rapidly at the same time.   The smart system should be able to function in the predicted manner in real life situations.   It is just not enough for the system to function in the laboratory or the manufacturers office.   It is very important for the manufacturer to know what environment the use would be having, and accordingly test the Smart system.   Research and development would help build a faster, better and a more effective system.   The SMART system should be able to perform several functions simultaneously.   A number of algorithms should be handled. The system should be flexible during functioning.   It should be able to adapt to conditions that prevail in the environment so that the user would be benefited.   Having a Smart system embedded in a device has several advantages.   It could help reduce the amount of energy or power consumed by the device.   Hence, the operational costs could be reduced. It could also help prolong the life of the system, as sensors that would be able to detect non-use and automatically switch of the system.   Only the rightful user can access the system.   The Smart system would permit only the rightful user to enter it, and hence the system would be secure, safe and protected.   In case several users are accessing the device, the system can be setup in such a way that one user would be able to access only the relevant information.   Some of the ways in which the user identity can be recognized includes finger print screening, corneal scans and username passwords (Casciati Hydrocarbon Engineering, 2004). Compared to regular technology, smart technology has several benefits.   The cost of operations is reduced using smart technology.   Smart technology is able to identity any problems that exist during operations and would sort them out effectively.   In this way the cost of operations may be reduced.   Newer technology is more effective than older ones in reducing the costs and processors are becoming more and more advanced and efficient (Hydrocarbon Engineering, 2004 Gardner, 2005). Smart devices are able to save electricity, energy and power.   This is because they have sensors that are able to detect non-use.   If the user is not using the system for a stipulated time, the system is automatically shut down (Casciati).   As the smart system save energy it is also environmentally friendly, preventing unnecessary damage to the environment (Hydrocarbon Engineering, 2004). Smart systems are very flexible and can adapt to a number of conditions that prevail in the environment.   This effectively makes the system more and more user—friendly. The lifespan of the devices or the machine can be extended as whenever it not in use, it is automatically shutdown.   Besides, the system can also maintain itself effectively. It would signal for replacements or care from a mechanic. Another important benefit of a smart system is that it is able to understand its environment.   It employs computational methods and the use of sensors to gain data from the environment.   However, it is very important to know that awareness of the environment and automatically responding to it is not a straightforward task.   It may take sometime to develop this.   As the systems are becoming more and more advance, they are finding it easier to understand the environment they function in.   A system may take time to learn the various situations that prevail in the environment.   Once it is able to do so, it can perform even complicated tasks (Worden, 2003). The smart system helps to reduce the labor cost and the manpower required.   The human resources required to maintain the system would also be minimal (Hydrocarbon Engineering, 2004). It may be very easy to upgrade a smart system.   Nowadays this may be possible by the installation of software and up gradation packs.   They also do not require the knowledge and skills of an expert to upgrade (Hydrocarbon Engineering, 2004). Smart systems can be utilized in a number of situations including schools, home, workplace, industry, space, offices, shopping, roads, hospitals, buildings, vehicles, oil refineries, banks, etc.   It can be said that in all these situations, Smart systems may help to improve overall everyday life.   Within the next two decades, SMART systems would be changing several devices and aspects of our lives including computers, machines, processes, power, vehicles, etc (Cetron, 1997). In the homes, they could be utilized to wash our clothes, prepare food according to the individual tastes and preferences and even perform other tasks daily as required by the user. In the school, the smart system could be utilized in a virtual reality environment to help the student attend classes and interact with the teachers and other students.   They could help students to express their creative skills and learn languages faster and more effectively (Negroponte Papert, 2007). At the workplace Smart system could be utilized in fingerprinting devices, so as to identity a particular staff member and give him/her access to a particular system.   The staff members could utilize the smart systems to perform effective computational tasks, manage the workflow and manage several operational processes that may occur in the organization. Some of the fields in which Smart systems are utilized include telecommunications, banking, education, automobiles, interior decoration, architecture, entertainment, engineering, healthcare, etc.   They find application in almost any device, such as security system, fire detection and control systems, computers, mobiles, cars, motorcycles, microwaves, washing machines, airplanes, etc.   Smart system could be utilized in a traffic management system.   They could be utilized in the healthcare sector to monitor the condition of the patient and inform the doctor of the status.   With respect to vehicles, smart devices, could help control the speed of the vehicle and effectively brake when an accident is anticipated (Bishop, 2007). Voice to text is a system in which the individual is able to offer oral commands to the computer, and the computer would be converting it into a text format.   The computer can be told of the tasks that should be performed, and the individual can be later reminded of what he/she should be doing.   Effectively, voice recognition systems have replaced keyboards.   It may be initially difficult for the system to identify and transcribe the voice of an individual.   However, over a period of time, the computer would do this task more efficiently and rapidly. Voice to text translation systems are very useful in an educational environmental and also to train the staff embers at the workplace.   Studies have shown that the current voice to text systems may be only 90 to 95 % accurate.   However, with time more and more advanced systems are being manufactured, that are able to reach an almost 100 % accuracy rate.   The system would also be useful for individuals with disabilities.   Such a system could easily help to learn a foreign language (Tech Learning, 2007). Another way smart system would be improving everyday life is by the use of compact computing devices such as laptops, pocket PCs, Tablet PCs, PDA and mobiles.   These computing device should possess certain characteristics such as: Compactness Cost effective Security Have a long span Waterproof Should be able to withstand accidents that the child may face whilst playing Should be able to be connected to the network Should be able to access any person across the globe Should have an expandable memory Should be able to make calls Should be light-weight Students and children from schools and colleges would benefit hugely from having a compact computing system.   It would offer a greater amount of mobility and flexibility.   However, there are several problems that exist with the use of these devices, which need to be sorted out.   These include short battery life, ease in decoding the password, extreme costs, and difficulty for current users to use the system. Wireless connectivity would definitely help the system to remain connected to the Internet and other systems throughout the world.   Teachers and students could hugely benefit by having a virtual classroom.   Physicians and doctors are also finding it very convenient to use palm-top devices such as PDA’s to chart the patient’s history and follow-up the cases.   As these devices have smart technology, the physician could be prompted in cases certain extra precautions need to be taken   (Tech Learning, 2007, Negroponte Papert, 2007, Reinsel, 2005). Computers containing smart technology can be utilized to perform complicated tasks know as ‘hybrid computing’.   The size of the microprocessors are becoming smaller and smaller, and the tasks they are performing are becoming more and more complicated.   They are also able to perform several tasks simultaneously.   Virtual reality is an environment in which an individual can perform certain tasks and function. A simple folder of a computer could be considered as a virtual reality.   Virtual reality was first described about 2 decades back.   Several computer organizations are coming up with highly complicated virtual systems.   A Virtual environment could help educate students.   An entire classroom can be conducted in a virtual environment   (Tech Learning, 2007 Gardner, 2005). Several systems contain artificial intelligence that would help them perform several tasks including teaching students, computing input signals and decoding data.   Artificial intelligence has several applications.   They could be utilized to test the intelligence levels of the students.   Some of these systems may be about 99 % reliable   (Tech Learning, 2007).   Microsoft has been thinking of developing user interfaces.   Computers that have better sense systems are being developed.   Eric Horvitz, Researcher at Microsoft Corporation and Jack Breese, Assistant Director of Microsoft Corporation in their interview with Discovery are able to provide more information about new user interfaces and the manner in which it could be utilize to handle emails and other communication methods.   One of their products known as ‘Look out’ is a new SMART system program that informs the user about emails, messages and schedules. It is a very effective tool to sort out messages utilizing a voice-based system (Horvitz Breese, 2007).   Berners-Lee, the Director of the WWW Consortium has developed newer and more intelligent systems to help store, access and transmit over the Internet.   This newer type of Internet would be known as ‘Semantic World’.   It is a highly intelligent system that would use very intelligent software so that the information is more secure.   This has very strong applications for use in banking, healthcare, etc.   This could also help in management of disasters and epidemics.   Several organizations that are utilizing Semantic systems feel this kind of technology could help change human lives (Berners-Lee, 2007). Smart technology could also be utilized to develop and express creative skills of the individual.   Several software such as moviemaker, are able to help one improve their creative skills.   The system itself would suggest ideal changes that would help to improve the quality and the appearance of the picture or the video short   (Tech Learning, 2007). One of the main areas in which smart technology is utilized is in fingerprint technology.   This field is mainly required by law-enforcing agencies and forensics organizations.   Earlier it was a very tough and meticulous job to identify an individual’s fingerprint.   However, nowadays, smart devices can virtually do it in a matter of seconds.   A database containing the fingerprints of several individuals may be stored, and when a given fingerprint is to be identified, it can be compared to various fingerprints that are present in the database   (Tech Learning, 2007). Smart devices could also help students that have certain problems during learn to overcome these difficulties.   During learning some students may experience a difficulty in a portion of the brain.   Utilizing a computer may identify this.   The computer would suggest ways in which this problem could be solved.   Psychologists would be closely coordinating such cases   (Tech Learning, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lastly, it can be proved that Smart technology is helping to make human lives easier. At present Smart technology is still in the infancy stage. Soon Smart technology would be able to help human beings much more than they are doing today. They would be more reliable and trustworthy. A lot of research and developments need to be conducted in order to improve and help advance this very useful form of technology. Although, Smart Technology is in the infancy stages it has demonstrated that it could really do unbelievable things. Thus it can safely be said that SMART technology would be able to change and also improve human life to a very large extent, at home, the school, college and the workplace.   It would certainly help to improve comfort and efficiency levels (This answers the thesis question).       References: Books: Bishop, R. (2005), Intelligent Vehicle Technology And Trends, US: Artech.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book written by Richard Bishop demonstrates how SMART technology can be utilized in cars and other vehicles.   The book shows how SMART technology could be utilized to increase the driver safety, reduce the strain on the driver, etc.   It concentrates on several aspects such as costs, user-friendliness, etc.   As the book concentrates on how to improve driver safety and the strain on the driver, it would certain helps meet the thesis statement of improving comfort levels and making human life easier and safer.   The author concentrates on various aspects such as cost, user-friendliness, acceptance, etc.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.amazon.com/Intelligent-Vehicle-Technology-Trends-Library/dp/1580539114/ref=sr_1_8/002-8224583-7909648?ie=UTF8s=booksqid=1187180326sr=8-8 Cetron, M. Davies, O. (1997), Probable Tomorrows: How Science and Technology Will Transform Our Lives in the Next Twenty Years, St. Mary’s Press. http://www.amazon.com/Probable-Tomorrows-Science-Technology-Transform/dp/0312154291/ref=sr_1_28/002-8224583-7909648?ie=UTF8s=booksqid=1187180609sr=8-28   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book provides an insight of how technology could affect various aspects, processes and objects that we utilize in our daily life.   The presentation by Cetron is a very good one and needs to form a part of a book collection on SMART Technology.   She concentrates on the technological developments in the field of computers, building technology, power generation and vehicles.   The author makes predictions of the future in SMART technology and also suggests that the technology would have immense amount of benefits for humans.   In this way, it can be said that the author is contributing towards the thesis statement, in proving that SMART could include the comfort levels in various sphere of life. Casciati, F., Rossi, R. (2004), In. Holnicki-Szulc, J. Soares, C.A.M. (Ed), Advances In Smart Technologies In Structural Engineering, New York: Springer. http://books.google.com/books?id=vJPjorqGsIwCpg=PA1ots=TdVRc3L7WTdq=smart+technologiessig=q7drMwwfLh2-rtJuiKa_aFrdAMQ#PPP11,M1   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The chapter throws more light on the use of fuzzy logic and sensor devices to help make lives easier.   The designing of sensor network and fuzzy logic systems have also been mentioned.   Besides, information of embedded microcontroller and microprocessors are also mentioned.   Certain information motioned in the book has been collected from a conference organized in Poland in the year 2003.   This technology is utilized to make Buildings in Europe smarter and user friendly.   In this way, the book is helping to meet with the thesis statement in making our lives more comfortable and easier.