ETH Zurich : Computer Science : Pervasive Computing : Distributed Systems : Research

Research in the Distributed Systems Group

The overall research interests of the Distributed Systems Group span the broad fields of models and concepts for distributed computations, ubiquitous computing, Internet of Things, architectures for sensor networks, infrastructure support for smart real-world objects, interaction in smart environments, and privacy and security concepts. A brochure with a summary of our research activities is also available.

This page provides an overview of our research, organized into three different areas: our main research topics, a list of individual projects, and brief descriptions of our demonstrators.

A separate page describes (in German) our research on distributed algorithms. The publications of the group may be found on the publications page and copies of selected presentations are located on the talks page. Research-related events are listed on the events page. Also available is a brief answer to the question "What is ubiquitous computing?".

Research Topics

Research Topics provide the overarching framework for our activities. Each item below links to a brief description of the research area, including a list of corresponding publications and student projects. For a more concise summary of our activities, see also our Research Overview.

• Smart Cooperative Objects
  This research topic concerns the creation, installation, management, and interaction with smart objects. Of particular interest to us are also security and dependability issues, context-aware collaboration, as well as infrastructure support.
  • Infrastructures
    What kind of infrastructures do we need to support smart collaborating objects?
  • Technologies
    What are the key technologies for ubiquitous computing?
  • Interaction
    How can we interact with smart objects?
  • Context-Aware Collaboration
    How can context information improve the interaction between smart everyday objects and their environment?
  • Dependability
    How can we achieve robustness and reliability in ubiquitous computing environments?
  • Security
    How can we counter the threats arising in ubiquitous computing?
• Sensor Networks
  Sensor networks consist of large numbers of tiny autonomous computing devices, each equipped with sensors, a wireless radio, a processor, and a power source. Their close integration with the physical world imposes a number of novel and challenging research problems.
• Privacy
  The massive deployment of smart cooperating objects with fine-grained sensing and large-scale communication capabilities has potentially large consequences for our personal privacy. We are investigating how future ubiquitous computing systems can support a sufficient level of privacy awareness.
• Social Implications
  Privacy is but one aspect of our everyday that might substantially be altered by the deployment of ubiquitous computing environments. In order to better understand the non-technical requirements of such systems, we are investigating the social, economic, and ethical implications of ubiquitous computing.

Projects and Cooperations with External Partners

We are or have been conducting a number of internal and external research projects with a wide variety of industrial and academic partners. Follow the links below for more information on the individual projects.

• NCCR-MICS
  As part of the Mobile Information and Communication Systems (MICS) project – a long term research project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation – we are investigating architecture and infrastructure issues for smart cooperating objects.
• SNIF
  SNIF is a Sensor Network Inspection Framework that supports passive observation and inspection of deployed Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). It consists of a distributed sniffer, a new package description language, and a data stream engine with multiple operators.
• Fosstrak (formerly Accada)
  Fosstrak is an open source RFID software platform that implements the EPC Network specifications. It is intended to foster the rapid prototyping of RFID applications and to accelerate the development of an Internet of Things.
• Bits to Energy Lab
  In collaboration with the Chair of Information Management and the University of St. Gallen, we investigate ubiquitous computing's potential contribution to a more efficient use of energy.
• SPARK - Rapid Prototyping on Mobile Phones
  In this project we developed a rapid prototping environment that targets specifically novice users and enables then to create mobile phone applications in a very easy and fast way.
• eMeter
  One of the major causes of abusive energy consumption in households is due to the existing intransparency. Thus, the eMeter system provides feedback on the residential electricty consumption of the entire household as well as on the consumption of single devices. Through connecting smart electricity meters with a mobile application, we investigate what feedback is best suited to lower usage barrieres and motivate users to change change their behavior in order to achieve sustainable energy savings.
• BaToo - Barcode Recognition Toolkit
  In this project we are developing a free toolkit for the recognition and resolving of 1D barcodes on camera equipped mobile phones. Using this toolkit, we are implementing and investigating services that are based on the linking of the wide range of barcode tagged products with an abundance of various information sources available on the web.
• Augmented Knight's Castle
  The Augmented Knight's Castle is an augmented toy environment that enriches the children's pretend play by using background music, sound effects, verbal commentary of toys, and different forms of tactile and visual feedback in reaction to the children's play. Moreover, interactive learning experiences can be integrated into the play.
• Searching the Real World with Mobile Phones
  In collaboration with NTT DoCoMo Euro-Labs, we are developing a system for searching the real world, based on dynamic information gathered by a large number of heterogeneous sensors and sensor networks. Within the scope of this project, we focus on mobile phones as sensing platform, as these devices are truly ubiquitous and feature an increasing number of built-in sensors.
• LOP - Location Oriented Programming
  In the LOP project we explore the idea, design and implication of making location a first class programming construct.
• Facet (ended December 2008)
  Facet is a software that allows to build smart camera networks based on standard mobile phones.
• Koubachi
  Koubachi is a system built to monitor the health status of indoor plants and communicate the plant's needs in an emotionally appealing way.
• SAP Research Switzerland
  As part of a long-term cooperation we work together with SAP Research Switzerland in the joint areas of Internet of Things, Internet of Services and device to business integration.
• M-Lab (ended December 2008)
  In a cooperation with the University of St. Gallen and a large range of industrial partners, we are developing business applications in the domain of pervasive and ubiquitous computing.
• InfoTraffic (ended November 2007)
  The objective of the project InfoTraffic is the development and provision of interactive learning environments. InfoTraffic helps students learn about several important concepts of computer science through the scenario traffic-control and traffic-simulation. InfoTraffic is a cooperation with Prof. Dr. Werner Hartmann from PH Bern.
• Hitachi Mu-chip (ended March 2007)
  A research cooperation with the Hitachi Systems Development Laboratory, Japan, that explores applications for tiny, sub-millimeter-sized RFID tags.
• MICO (ended December 2006)
  MICO Is CORBA – this self-referential name describes an Open Source implementation of the CORBA specification that has been widely deployed in industry, research, and education.
• Embedded WiSeNts (ended February 2007)
  Cooperating embedded systems (such as wireless sensor networks and smart cooperating objects) are a potentially disruptive technology. However, the concrete realization of this vision is still unclear. We participate in this European coordination action to clarify this issue.
• UbiGate (ended February 2007)
  In collaboration with NTT DoCoMo Euro-Labs, we developed a system for locating and monitoring everyday items using sensor-equipped mobile phones. This system allowed us to identify challenges that are common to many applications which make use of the large people-centric infrastructure provided by mobile phones and the cellular network.
• Visual Codes (ended October 2005)
  In this project we evaluate the use of CCD cameras built into off-the-shelf mobile phones to act as sensors for 2-dimensional visual codes.
• Living in a Smart Environment (ended February 2005)
  Funded by the Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz foundation, we lead a team of researchers from seven universities exploring possible social, economic, and ethical consequences of large-scale ubiquitous computing deployments.
• Smart-Its (ended December 2003)
  Within the EU-funded Disappearing Computer initiative we developed a sensore-node platform, the so-called "Smart-It", which can be attached to everyday items in order to support collaborative behavior among objects.
• Entry Points (ended December 2003)
  Within the ETH World program, we are developing a material entry point system for connecting the virtual campus to the physical campus environment.
• DC Troubadour (ended June 2003)
  Within the Disappearing Computer (DC) initiative, we conducted a survey of the state of privacy in a large number of DC projects.
• P3P (ended April 2002)
  Within the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), we participated in the design of P3P, an emerging world-wide standard for machine-readable privacy policies.
• CASTING (ended December 2000)
  Together with Swisscom Corporate Research, we investigated the application of smart card technology in combination with short-distance wireless communication.

Demonstrators

In order to validate theoretical findings, as well as to provide a testbed for trying out new ideas, we are developing demonstrator systems as part of many research investigations. Below you can find a list of some of the prototypes we have developed as part of our research into pervasive and ubiquitous computing systems.

• eMeter (September 2009)
  
• Augmented Knight's Castle (January 2007)
  
• Barcode Recognition Demo (February 2006)
  
• Visual Code Widgets (June 2005)
  
• Smart Playing Cards (June 2005)
  
• Smart Product Packaging (June 2005)
  
• Smart Tachograph (June 2005)
  
• Augmented Collectibles (May 2005)
  
• Ad-Hoc Facility Management (July 2004)
  
• Augmented Photoalbum (May 2004)
  
• Smart Jigsaw Puzzle (March 2004)
  
• Smart Vacuum Cleaner (February 2004)
  
• Large Display Interaction (January 2004)
  
• BTnodes (January 2004)
  
• Chatty Environment (September 2003)
  
• Smart Blister Pack (September 2003)
  
• Smart Toolbox (May 2003)
  
• Smart Surgical Kit (May 2003)
  
• Smart Medicine Cabinet (May 2003)
  
• Smart Egg Carton (March 2003)
  
• Robust Probabilistic Positioning (August 2002)
  
• ETHOC (August 2002)
  
• Find Your Way (July 2001)
  
• RFID-Chef (January 2001)
  

Research Activities of 1999 and Earlier

See the former Darmstadt University research pages