| Download the video (.wmv, 2.28M) Wireless Networking Combined with Wearable
Computing Supplements the Human Mind. Imagine sitting in an important business meeting. You’ve
been introduced to several new customers and are in the middle of making your
presentation. Suddenly, the person on your left asks a critical question
outside the scope of your expertise. Answering it correctly could mean a big
sale for your company.
With help from the Accenture Personal Awareness Assistant—a
wearable computing device—you simply draw upon the knowledge of your extended
team, all of whom are listening as the meeting unfolds, but working in various
locations around the globe. Via wireless networking and a microphone earpiece,
one of your colleagues provides you with the answer. You respond smoothly to
the client and continue with your presentation.
The Evolution of Wearable
Computing
This form of collective intelligence is one of the
many possibilities emerging from the Personal Awareness Assistant, a wearable
information collection prototype from Accenture Technology Labs. Wearable
computing is already beginning to evolve from large headpieces with
equipment-laden belt packs to sleek, high-powered, easy-to-use companions. In
fact, commercially viable options already are making an appearance in business
for everything from package delivery and warehouse management to airline
curbside check-in.
Supplementing the Human Memory
Bank
Using a speech recognition engine, two small microphones,
an inconspicuous camera and a scrolling audio buffer, the Personal Awareness
Assistant is always on, passively listening to what a user says. What catapults
the Assistant past a simple recording device is its ability to respond to
particular contexts and situations. For example, when a user is introduced to
someone new, the Assistant recognizes the phrase, “It’s nice to meet you,”
records the name of the person as she introduces herself and takes a
low-resolution picture. All this takes place without any specific command from
the user.
Once the device captures the data, it automatically
categorizes the information into a pre-designated domain—in this case a
sophisticated address book complete with audio, digital image, date/time stamp
and location. Because the data is stored contextually, information retrieval is
straightforward. A simple inquiry, such as “Who was that person I met at lunch
last Thursday?” brings up the appropriate information. Using Global Positioning
System (GPS), the Assistant also can determine where the user is located, such
as the office or visiting clients, to further finetune and categorize a
response.
While the Assistant is meant to be unobtrusive, Accenture
researchers recognize that people may initially feel that being recorded
disturbs their privacy. In response, the Assistant will have a built-in light
that blinks when it records, for the sole purpose of alerting the person who is
being recorded. Eventually, Accenture believes that wearable computing devices
will become socially acceptable as people gain appreciation for their value.
Innovative Applications
In addition
to collecting predictable data such as phone numbers or important dates on
behalf of its user, the Assistant can help a consumer buy a desired item from
any location and at any time. Imagine a user hears about a new book on the
radio while driving. The user can create a shopping list simply by speaking a
reminder to buy the book into his Assistant. Then he can send the book list to
a preferred Internet vendor for fulfillment, or wait until he travels near a
bookstore or accesses the Internet, where the Assistant will recognize his
location and remind him to purchase the book.
One of the most advanced and promising applications of the
Assistant is collective intelligence—the ability to share knowledge and
experiences with a group. Accenture researchers believe this type of technology
could be particularly valuable as a realtime strategy tool, as described above
in the important client presentation, or as a way to gather intelligence from
co-workers by reviewing an instant replay of their experiences, whether from a
meeting with a client or from a service call in the field.
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