'AMBIESENSE'

'AmbieSense' is a project funded by the Information Society Technologies Programme of the European Commission (FP5).

The 'AmbieSense' looks into the future of the Ambient Intelligence Landscape. Miniature and wireless context tags are mounted in everyday surroundings and situations. The tags are smart objects embedded in the environment of people with mobile devices.

The project vision is:

· Relevant information to the right situation and user

'AmbieSense' technology and applications have been a key inspiration to several of the newly funded European Union projects.

Some refer to the project as turning the mobile operator model on its head. We just think it adds flexibility.

'Lecture notes sent to your mobile'

Students young and old at Robert Gordon University are to have their lecture notes sent to their mobile phones in a pioneering bid to replace paper handouts in classes.

Dr Ayse Goker, from their Computing Services Unit plans to implement the system in her lectures next year.

Ayse says " 'AmbieSense' has already been piloted in Seville and Oslo Airports to give useful information to tourists, it uses hi-tech chips in lecture rooms that are capable of beaming information to mobile phones nearby. It is based on Linux technology using embedded chips. If successful, the project could spell the end of the traditional image of students moving between lectures weighed down with piles of paper notes. Instead students will be able to download handouts, timetables and other work on to their phones. The system gives people a way of interacting with their environment and obtaining information that might be useful in that situation. Most people have smart mobile phones with large memories now and it has increased what we are able to do. We have already used it during the university open days so visitors can obtain information about the areas they are in and browse it on their phone like a website."

She added: "In an education context, it could be useful to give people timetables and lecture notes. I am hoping to demonstrate the system in some of my own lectures."

For further information on the success of this project please visit www.ambiesense.com