Research Seminar - August 01, 2003

PICO: A Middleware Framework for Pervasive Computing

Abstract:

Pervasive Information Communities organization (PICO) is a framework to create mission-oriented dynamic communities of software entities that perform tasks on behalf of users and devices autonomously. PICO can be used effectively in many dynamically changing time-critical applications that demand proactive real-time collaborations among physical devices, services, and personnel in heterogeneous environments. The novel features of PICO include: i) creation of mission oriented dynamic communities of software agents, ii) just-in-time communication and proactive collaboration among communities, and iii) adaptability to hardware and software changes and application requirements. PICO has applications in many domains such as telemedicine, military, crisis management, manufacturing and many day-to-day activities. In the ongoing NSF funded project our focus is on the design and development of PICO and investigation into its applicability as a platform for applications involving distributed collaborations.