C haptEr 9 design Environments and systems
392
there has been considerable attention directed toward the development of “smart skins” that incorporate a series of sensors and actuation devices based on smart materials, including shape memory
alloys, to enhance wing performance. Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies offer great potential as both tiny sensors and actuators
and thus have the potential to be integrated into surface structures
quite easily. Section 10.2 addresses smart materials and systems in
more detail.
There are many types of intelligent systems and environments.
Among the most popular are systems that first detect and identify
specific human users within a space and then tailor aspects of the
living or work environment in response to the needs or tasks of
those specific individuals. More advanced systems use facial and
gesture recognition systems that seek to enable users to control
specific aspects of their living or work environments, without any
kind of manual or even voice inputs. These systems invariably
involve complex computational infrastructures as well as a host of
different kinds of sensory and actuation devices. Characteristics of
intelligent systems are examined in more detail in the following
section.
Characterizing interactive, smart,
and intelligent Environments
Figure 9.69 suggests how intelligent environments can be broadly
characterized in terms of their functional descriptions, the way
smart behaviors are embedded in the environment or the ways that
they are controlled, and the general cognition levels associated with
various behaviors. Following this diagram, we broadly use characterizations of smart or intelligent environments that reflect different
primary streams of meaning and description. The first is in relation
to definitions of systems and environments (use and surrounding).
In addition to performance-specific systems that are constituents
of larger products, vehicles, or buildings, this area encompasses
human occupation and use needs and issues vis-à-vis lifestyle,
health, and work. Included are physical comfort and health issues
vis-à-vis the surrounding environment. Use issues focus on lifestyle
considerations or task performances (e.g., what would an optimal
environment for a stockbroker look like?).
The level of component, subsystem, system, or environment to be
considered is important here. Many simple components involve
only single behaviors, such as a light that goes off or on, whereas
other highly complex systems or environments involve multiple
392
there has been considerable attention directed toward the development of “smart skins” that incorporate a series of sensors and actuation devices based on smart materials, including shape memory
alloys, to enhance wing performance. Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies offer great potential as both tiny sensors and actuators
and thus have the potential to be integrated into surface structures
quite easily. Section 10.2 addresses smart materials and systems in
more detail.
There are many types of intelligent systems and environments.
Among the most popular are systems that first detect and identify
specific human users within a space and then tailor aspects of the
living or work environment in response to the needs or tasks of
those specific individuals. More advanced systems use facial and
gesture recognition systems that seek to enable users to control
specific aspects of their living or work environments, without any
kind of manual or even voice inputs. These systems invariably
involve complex computational infrastructures as well as a host of
different kinds of sensory and actuation devices. Characteristics of
intelligent systems are examined in more detail in the following
section.
Characterizing interactive, smart,
and intelligent Environments
Figure 9.69 suggests how intelligent environments can be broadly
characterized in terms of their functional descriptions, the way
smart behaviors are embedded in the environment or the ways that
they are controlled, and the general cognition levels associated with
various behaviors. Following this diagram, we broadly use characterizations of smart or intelligent environments that reflect different
primary streams of meaning and description. The first is in relation
to definitions of systems and environments (use and surrounding).
In addition to performance-specific systems that are constituents
of larger products, vehicles, or buildings, this area encompasses
human occupation and use needs and issues vis-à-vis lifestyle,
health, and work. Included are physical comfort and health issues
vis-à-vis the surrounding environment. Use issues focus on lifestyle
considerations or task performances (e.g., what would an optimal
environment for a stockbroker look like?).
The level of component, subsystem, system, or environment to be
considered is important here. Many simple components involve
only single behaviors, such as a light that goes off or on, whereas
other highly complex systems or environments involve multiple