Conclusions and Future Works - Artificial Human Sensors: Science and Applications - page 186

Then it may be appropriate to also consider an artificial and human-related sensing
device, e.g., an artificial tongue, nose, ear, eye, etc., as a sensing prosthesis. The
goal has earlier been to spread comprehensive technology trends to a variety of
human-related activities within industries, services and in private homes. The
symbiosis-based technology, when integrated with the emerging infrastructure for
global information, is however foreseen to have a great impact on our daily activi-
ties. It is expected that this emerging technology will open business abilities, huge
opportunities to truly improve the quality of life and freedom to sense the world
on an equal basis whether young or old, healthy or disabled. The significance of
usability is foreseen to be of a similar scale than what we currently experience, by
for example the introduction of the personal computer or later the unbeleivable
development of networking the information flow, the Internet.
As the human perception is instantly improved by artificial means, we will
most likely experience more of complexity, where for example artificial devices are
able to depict the environment in a more advanced picture Then humans may be
able to sense with complex sensor-based biosystem including advanced process-
ing computer programs. At that time when it will be frequent available and we
are able to commonly make use of the benefits and possible applications based on
human technology. Consequently, additional effects in intelligence and experience
will also increase, where complementary sensor systems are expected to evolve
into additional symbiotic information flow operators. These systems, or symbi-
otic sensing prosthesis, will act as individually adapted supportive devices which
probably represent the next evolutionary phase of information, comprising of a
new intensive sensing and interaction paradigm.
The emerging focus will probably be upon the aspect of user-centred
technology, where human demands for complexity, timing and individual adap-
tation most likely will challenge the requested performance. The emerging tech-
nology will then integrate computers, sensors and communication into effective
demands of the system functions that are jointly integrated in task-specific net-
works of systems. The expected trend aims for a high performance informa-
tion flow in a variety of directions. The future trends will probably also shift
from today's technology-driven and computer-based industry into the human-
requested development involving a highly advanced technology in harmony with
an individually centred and consumer-oriented industry.
The information collection in specific individual requested devices would
most likely be able to learn and adapt the behaviour of the symbiotic human. In or-
der to improve the system's working conditions, including other technical equip-
ment as well as other human collaborations, the artificial device may adapt to the
individual requirements as well as the environment. It is then reasonable to expect,
that under these conditions the flow of information will interact with other individ-
uals' sensor system, who will contribute with human-specific exchange capability
in a true joint co-operation. Then we will achieve the goal of freedom to symbi-
otically find and exchange information that supports the best environmental up-
date between individuals. The system-human interaction may then be seen as a