Ubi: The ubiquitous computer

alttext

Ubi, the ubiquitous computer, is a hands-free, voice-activated computer that is always on, allowing users to stay connected while engaging in everyday activities. Ubi plugs into a wall socket, can be placed in various rooms around your house, and accesses the Internet through a wifi connection. Saying “Ubi” wakes up the Ubi for receiving verbal commands. Ubi can be used to make a phone call, send an email, search the Internet, or monitor rooms in your home. Ubi can relay information through speech output (it talks to you) or it can indicate information through multi-color lights. It’s internal sensors can detect sound, temperature, light, pressure, and humidity.

Universal Design (UD) is an approach to design that increases the potential for developing a better quality of life for a wide range of individuals. It is a design process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation (Steinfeld and Maisel, 2012). It creates products, systems, and environments to be as usable as possible by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation.