SAA, 1st version - Net!Works

eMobility – Strategic Applications AgendaEnvironmentsolutions derive their specifications from risks caused by natural phenomena (volcanic activity, earthquakes),those caused by human activity (production methods, handling of waste, choice of materials and components) oran unforeseen hazardous deviation causing a serious risk to human life (chemicals used in food substances,issues with safety in public places).Alarms per se are currently isolated systems, triggered by set limit values. They provide for a warning signal oncea risk is already identified. The future opportunity lies in combining monitoring and alarm solutions. Furthermore,gathering data from distributed sources and processing the inputs over the network, will reduce the need forcomponents of a single terminal. Lifespans will also be extended in future as solutions and applicationsincreasingly becoming software driven such as:Recognition and prevention using learning systems (pervasive computing, data mining, neural networkapplications able to process and analyse data);Linking servers through robust and reliable transmission channels to multiple kinds of terminals (such as,positioning-enabled terminals receiving warnings based on direct satellite signal, also A-GPS, mobilenetwork station, DVB-H, WLAN/Wi-Fi, and short range sensors and transmitters connected to a remoteserver storing and packing the data for later use).Globally distributed and interconnected systems could transfer an alarm at one location to a pre-warning signal inthe surrounding areas and countries such as forest fires or other sources of hazardous or harmful chemicalsspreading over wind or water. The challenge lies in setting standards and conventions surpassing national andlanguage boundaries, but also political and legal issues. Product reliability, other legal issues as well as preventionof malicious attacks and viruses are also major considerations for such critical systems.Efficient resource management is measurable through assessing the ecological footprint and life cyclemanagement. For example there are increasing amounts of hazardous waste resulting from manufacturingprocesses and discarding devices such as mobile phones. The proactive solution focuses on designing forecological sustainability taking into account battery life and reusable materials.Mobile devices and desktop or laptop computers are increasingly software-driven. Thin mobile clients, withsoftware radio features and network-based applications, will allow for a longer life span and versatility.One of the main issues regarding environmental monitoring is to provide guidelines that facilitate criticalinformation availability, as well as the way the information is computed, transmitted and delivered. Usability andreliability play a key role in new solution design and implementation. It is also important to increase thecollaboration between environmental organizations, the public sector and industry in order to focus on the mostimminent risks, allowing the technology to improve the security of the professionals involved and the way itaffects their lives and work.Given the current focus on energy production and consumption (e.g., oil), there is great concern to improve andfind new and more efficient ways of producing energy and produce/recycle electronic components in anenvironmentally friendly way. The ecological or carbon footprint has been created as a tool for allocating theenvironmental impact of products and services. This serves not just for national fiscal (e.g., tax) purposes, butalso for consumer awareness and criteria for public sector and large corporation purchase and partnershippolicies. So the ―green‖ topic is surely one of the main focuses on applications and services in the next 10 – 15years.55