"Technological components are getting smaller and smaller; it's a creeping revolution“, said Friedemann Mattern, ETH Professor of Computer Science and head of the Institute for Pervasive Computing (1). Only some decades ago, few people used an electronic calculator, there was usually a central computer, which could be accessed via a terminal. The very first personal computers came on to the market around thirty years ago. Technology has become increasingly smaller and increasingly powerful and the power of microprocessors doubles every eighteen months. "This will easily continue for another 25 years," said Mattern. And he went on to cite Xerox Park boss Mark Weiser, who died in 1999: "In the 21st century the technology revolution will penetrate into our everyday lives." This prediction has long become reality. Two examples:

- Techniques are being developed today in research laboratories–also at ETH Zurich–under the concept of "wearable computing“ that "unite" the machine and the user. One example of this is medical application, where appliances carry out an on-line surveillance of cardiovascular system and automatically call a designated centre if irregularities appear. "Technology empowers people," said Friedemann Mattern.

- The development of so-called wireless sensor networks has come a long way, based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip technology. The first generation of such chips have been in use for a number of years–in anti-theft devices, for example, or to block the steering wheels of stolen cars. At ETH Zurich researchers are now working on the use of RFID technology in a "smart" medicine cabinet. Such cabinets could be on the market in a few years time following a declaration from the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) that in future the packaging of drugs must carry such RFID chips.

Wearable computing: technology looking after the health of a patient. Picture: Nokia

Making food products traceable: RFID chips. Picture: Philadelphia

"Coming developments in information and communications technology towards pervasive computing raise socially relevant questions. "Initial debate points to a potential for conflict," said Katrin Meier from the Foundation "Stiftung Risiko Dialog" (2). "The hottest debates centre around the new quantity and quality of data, protection of privacy and freedom of choice," is what the expert found out during a stakeholder dialogue with people from industry, science, authorities, consumer and environmental organisations (3). Computer scientist Friedemann Mattern referred particularly to data security problems that, according to him, can be solved. He doesn't think much of other diffuse fears, such as are often expressed by consumer and environmental organisations. "Such a level of organised apprehension is not manifest in other countries," he said.

Regulation was not a panacea, rather a solution following the dictates of reason, added David Rosenthal, Consultant for Information and Telecommunication Law in the legal office of Homburger Zurich. Recently, in the specialist magazine InfoWeek,he had appealed for a "code of ethics for pervasive computing“. What Rosenthal means by this is the drawing up of minimum goals to ensure basic security, namely that of networks, system identification and actual usage.

To prevent the discussion on pervasive computing from ending up in a blind alley–and here all experts are unanimous–dialogue is necessary. The goal should be to raise the acceptance of technology in order to build trust. For Mattern this must already begin at primary school, in technology lessons–a maxim that Betty Zucker, Director of the Foundation Risiko Dialog, also endorses.