The word ambient means immediate surroundings of something. It has originated from the French word ambiant, which is further derived from the Latin word ambientem. The actual verb meaning of the term is “to go about.” When the word collaborated with the technology, it turned out to be “Ambient Intelligence Technology.”
Everybody is aware that technology has turned out to be a ubiquitous part of our lives. The flourishing virtual personal assistants and Bluetooth speakers have become a subtle part of the background. For sure human lives have turned better with these technological innovations. This has made ways for dramatic disruption in daily lives known as ambient intelligence.
So, ambient intelligence can be explained as a multi-disciplinary approach that looks forward to enhancing communication between the human and its surrounding while interacting with each other. It aims to make the environment more beneficial to humans with its quick response technology. The best example of it could be a smart home.
The ambient intelligence or AmI holds the power to drive a conclusion and act upon it on behalf of humans, considering preferences based on the data obtained from all the nearby connected sensors and systems surrounding the users.
AmI acts intelligently, pervasively, and intuitively. It is capable of understanding a user rather than questioning him and work. It takes actions according to human preferences without proving its presence.
Ambient intelligence can be termed an emerging technology set to radically change the way humans interact with machines and devices around.
Working of ambient intelligence
Ambient intelligence works in a multi-disciplinary way and is an amalgamation of multiple technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Pervasive-Ubiquitous Computing, and Networks.
Ambient intelligence feels the environment and user context with the help of different intelligent digital devices such as Alexa, Siri present at home or workplace by utilizing various IoT sensors and devices. After collecting the data from all these different devices, the Aml systems process it.
Further, it uses analyzed and processed information to interpret data that can help it to understand user proximity, state, intent, and behavior. The system starts interpreting data based on prior learning, current information, and pattern identification.
The next step includes deciding on the best action and reverting to the user with an instinctively designed natural interface of an intelligent device.
Application of ambient intelligence
There are multiple ways in which ambient intelligence can make human life easier and better. Let that be a workplace, kitchen, or a complete house; Aml can effectively prove helpful in all the scenarios.
The ambient intelligence technology serves the purpose of actually having machine assistance then spending on a human assistant.
To get more details on the concept, let us consider an example of a smart office building.
Equipment of ambient operations in an office building with now-common devices such as thermostats, smoke detectors, and lighting controlled by motion sensors is a must. What is different with the current development in ambient intelligence are ambient operations supported by strong artificial intelligence that have moved toward an extreme personalization end.
Suppose a person wants to control the office temperature as soon as he enters the office building, he needs to activate automatic sensors. Similarly, lights turn on and off as soon as one enters the room and adjust to color and intensity preferences as an add-on.
Philips Hue lighting has given a thought to it and is now showing up in many offices. The communication is carried out with a networked wearable device such as a smartphone. Sensors will work based on the activity of smartphones.
For example, lights will turn on when a person comes into range so that he does not fumble around in the dark for a light switch or needs to change lights with the voice command.
Philips has successfully implemented the live example of this concept into the workplace named Edge, a new building in Amsterdam. Workers here can personalize their lighting and temperature environment at their work desks using their smartphone app.
Once connected and the setup is done, the app will control the light and temperature for workers all the time they are traveling in the building. This is possible through the network of lights and sensors installed by Philips called a ‘connected smart ceiling.’
Anyone can put up more intelligent examples that can prove implementing Aml technology can help ease human lives in multiple ways.
Privacy – the only concern
Introducing the ambient intelligence technology in everyday concepts does look interesting and exciting; the only concern here is privacy.
The Aml systems will hold all the information about the lives of the people they are tracking. If the information drops into the hands of an unwanted source, it would, for sure, lead to misuse of data or intervening in a person’s privacy. Concerns on data usage, privacy, and overall security need to be addressed first before bringing the Aml systems into action.
Ambient intelligence has a long way to go
The above examples are proof of Aml amplifying the life of a human by offering comfort and ease. Aml equipped homes with human-centric technology will help perform daily chores more efficiently.
In the near future, Aml will for sure find ways outside homes in different industrial applications, including retail, healthcare, manufacturing, smart cities, and more. It can even be thought of as keeping a closer eye on human health, especially in old-aged people and toddlers.
With ambient intelligence, the human-machine relationship continues to evolve to keep up with the changing times. Moreover, such technology builds a way to think upon enhancing technology in this COVID-19 era where “no touching” or probably maintaining social distance is the new normal.
To learn more visit our latest whitepapers about ambient intelligence and the latest technology.
