Posted by : United Press on May 24, 2006 - 05:56 AM Hardware

MADRID, May 22, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Spanish scientists say this decade might become known as the dawn of pervasive computing, during which computers became embedded in nearly everything.
The researchers say hardware exists that can easily accommodate features such as artificial intelligence and wireless connectivity and software is quickly catching up.
"Hardware development has reached a stage where it is possible to have a fully fledged computer with processor, memory and operating system on a board the size of a sliver of chewing gum," said German Puebla, a researcher at Madrid Technical University. "But until now software that can be programmed easily, and uses the limited hardware and power resources of pervasive computing devices as efficiently as possible, has been lacking."
Puebla coordinated the European Union's Advanced Specialization and Analysis for Pervasive Computing project that was given the task of solving the problem of creating and adapting software to run efficiently on pervasive computing systems in which computers are integrated in everyday objects and environments.
A future in which tiny computers are everywhere is expected in about 5 to 10 years, Puebla said, when pervasive devices become cheap and efficient enough to be embedded in everyday objects on a massive scale.
United Press International
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 (Originally Published: 5/22/2006)
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