Ambient computing has grown in popularity, because it offers significant benefits. When done properly, it seamlessly integrates devices, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to improve efficiencies and personalize experiences.
The best-known examples of ambient computing that already touch our lives include voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and Google assistant. Fitness wearables such as Apple Watch and Fitbit are also commonplace today.
Ambient Computing in Business
Mark Weiser of Xerox first conceived ambient computing in 1991. Since that time, a wide array of sensors and multi-faceted computing resources has led to operation without the direct intervention of the user.
Organisations now use remote monitoring devices to report vital patient data to healthcare providers. IoT-enabled agricultural sensors track and control nutrient and watering schedules in agriculture. Retailers track products in real-time to reduce stock shortages. Clearly, ambient computing is here to stay and it offers even more potential.
Benefits of Ambient Computing
Whether your organisation is creating a product or service or using ambient computing for a competitive edge, it offers distinct, highly-beneficial advantages.
Seamless Personalized User Experience
Ambient computing improves the consumer experience. Companies use it to create personalized customer recommendations to give them an edge over their competitors. The public sector also uses ambient computing to improve performance, reduce costs, and make services more efficient for their residents.
The potential to use any device combined with the power of artificial intelligence also allow easy access to mobile marketplace. The in-person checkout process is also undergoing a revolution. Buyers can scan and pay for items as they shop and avoid checkout lines.
Little or No Manual Intervention
One of the greatest advantages of ambient computing is the ability to operate invisibly in the background, without manual intervention. This often means organisations can do more, without a significant strain on their resources. For instance, sensors in industrial equipment monitor machine condition and automatically schedule maintenance based on this data.
Greater Convenience
Artificial intelligence remembers preferences, understands user context, and acts accordingly. Consequently, life is more convenient and less stressful. Examples include integrated smart devices that automatically manage daily needs such as temperature, lighting, security, and entertainment.
Ambient computing is also convenient for business. Theres no need to set alarms, shut down machinery, or turn on air conditioning when the temperature rises. It’s all handled automatically.
Increased Sustainability
As the urgency increases for organisations to meet net zero goals, ambient computing can play a major role in resource allocation, healthier environments, and increased sustainability. As an example, ambient computing can automatically detect fluctuations in electrical grids and shift resources to balance energy distribution.
Increased Productivity
Automating routine tasks frees up human resources. This free time can be used for high-level tasks, brainstorming, and better decision-making.
Mundane tasks are now smartly automated to increase productivity and more intelligent systems better fulfill user needs. For instance, smart sensors can continually monitor inventory levels and automatically issue restocking orders to reduce supply chain delays.
Accessing Ambient Computing Resources
Ambient computing will become more sophisticated and will further penetrate business operations and consumer lives. The Australian government recognizes it is “breaking down traditional distinctions of the industrial sector-based economy” and consider it critical technology.
However, finding technologies specifically suitable for specific organisational needs may seem an overwhelming task. Luckily, EarlyBirds can help organisations identify innovations suitable for all areas of ambient computing. We offer four pathways towards successful innovation and the following benefits:
- Reduced cost of innovation
- Quick increases in innovation capability, when required
- Connections to the best Subject Matter Experts and innovators available
- Simple process
EarlyBirds Innovation Ecosystem
Our award-winning Innovation Ecosystem earned us the title of Global Open Innovation Platform of the Year 2023 and 2024. It allows both innovation and strategic thinking in all areas of a business, whatever the technical or business challenge or potential opportunity your organisation wants to explore.
We unite Innovators, Early Adopters, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to fuel rapid innovative adoption and business evolution. Early Adopters are leaders eager to identify new and disruptive technologies. They want to seize opportunities, solve business challenges, or create new products and services.
Our Ecosystem has a data pool of over 4.9 million global innovations across many industries with solutions that may already address your organisation’s challenges. Alternatively, organisations can list their challenges and request solutions from innovators.
EarlyBirds Ecosystem Maps
EarlyBirds’ offers Ecosystem Maps to help organizations address pressing issues. It contains startups, scaleups, and mature companies involved in ambient computing themes and sub-themes to accelerate innovation and pinpoint potential innovative partners. It also tracks industry news from numerous daily and historical news and media articles from across the world.
EarlyBirds Explorer Program
The Explorer Program is tailored towards those who need innovation as a service to supplement existing innovation programs, or to conduct innovation projects when required. It is designed to speed up the process of technological innovation for the organisation as a service.
The Explorer program includes several features including quarterly and monthly innovation days; regular webinars to help stimulate innovation in the organisation; a focus on types of innovations; a platform enterprise license; and a nominated SME for the business.
EarlyBirds Challenger Program
The Challenger Program focuses on a single organisational or technical challenge. It looks for the most relevant innovators that meet your organisational, technical, and risk requirements.
The program is run by an EarlyBirds Subject Matter Expert who identifies your key issues. The SME then searches the data pool to identify and curate options for further evaluation. The most suitable option is chosen and the SME drafts a roadmap of next steps, POC, trial, or implementation.
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EarlyBirds can help your organisation access global innovation resources. We’ve helped those in the Public Sector, Food Industry, Retail, Healthcare, Operations & Maintenance, Manufacturing, Finance & Insurance, Energy, Education, Cybersecurity, and many other industries. Let us guide you towards appropriate partnerships that can reduce risk, amplify resources, solve problems, and spur innovation.
Organisations can register independently at https://earlybirds.io/. Alternatively, those unsure of which option is best suited to their needs can schedule a consultation. We use an individualized approach to ensure you find the best possible solutions.