Sometimes we aim too high

Abstract

I am a conflicted researcher. For the past few years, I have been focusing on ubiquitous computing in the home. The driving motivation is noble. We want to use technology to allow aging individuals to remain independent with the choice to stay in their own homes. The research agenda is ambitious. We want to create an aware domestic environment that is engineered to provide a suite of services leveraging off knowledge of the whereabouts and activities of its occupants. The theme is popular. Large research efforts, both academic and industrial, have started up in Japan, Europe and the United States.