Group items tagged

Too complex for students but useful background for the teacher. Smart sensor networks - technologies and applications for green growth 12-Jan-2010 Sensor networks play an important role in tackling environmental challenges. Sensor applications in smart power grids, smart buildings and smart industrial processes make significant contributions to more efficient resource use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. This report gives an overview of sensor technologies and applications, and quantifies their environmental impacts.

Interesting class discussion topic regarding the pros cons and applicable technology. Sensors, databases, keeping data up to date etc cost benefit analysis.

"while the rest of us are hooked on to the internet, Dancy pronounces it dead. Instead, he believes that the 'innernet - the information of you - is the future'"

This article should promote some lively discussion.

"Programmers, roboticists and tinkerers...are getting the Kinect to do things it was not really meant to do. The attraction of the device is that it outfitted with cameras, sensors, and software that let it detect movement, depth, and the shape and position of the human body"

An article about the use of biometrics to authenticate gun owners. Weapons come with fingerprint sensors built in and will fire only for the authorised owner. The article also covers some of the problems of biometrics - the system claims to be 95% accurate - which is still not enough for use by the military or police officers.

"Dr Val Curtis, of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, shows the BBC around her "smart house". She shows how the toilet, sink, soap and toothpaste in her bathroom are wired up to a central computer so that she can monitor her family's hygiene habits. The system is part of a research project to track our daily behaviour."

Short clip but shows some sensors and may provoke a discussion on privacy for family members & also data collection for research.