Impact of Smart Dust on tools, techniques, and technology

Smart Dust devices are already being tested for various purposes. This technology has the potential to replace many tools, techniques, and technologies currently being used. For example it is said that the implementation of smart dust devices in cars will replace the current car tax systems. [1] These motes can be implanted in street lights, signals, factories, buildings, furniture, even clothing for surveillance purposes. Below is a photo of a diagram explaining road sign detection and recognition application using Smart Dust technology. [2]

The possibilities of where and how these devices can be used are endless. If used in the military they can be used to change the current techniques of how to track enemy movements, and to detect poisonous gas or radioactivity. [3] The device can be also used to monitor inventory, control lighting and temperature, mass screening for infectious disease, and to provide detailed as well as precise data. In the picture below you can see how tiny the device is. Also, the picture shows how the device can be implemented to monitor just about anything. [4]

Motes may completely change current computer interfaces and enable virtual keyboards, sculpting, and instruments. [5] For example, motes can be attached to fingernails to constantly transmit finger motion data. Overall, the implementation of Smart Dust will have an affect on several industries for different reasons. One can say many of the current monitoring systems, and current technologies may become obsolete once motes are integrated. For more information about Smart Dust click on the following link: http://www.paconsulting.com/NR/rdonlyres/BA97F6EF-B7C2-4174-903E-E7F83D840DAF/0/foresight_smart_dust.pdf

REFERENCES

[1] "Smart dut could replace car tax disc." 19 January, 2005. Northern Echo. http://archive.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/2005/1/19/25795.html

[2] Tubaishat, Malik. "Road sign detection and recognition application." 28 April, 2008. TRACKSS. http://tubaishat.wordpress.com/

[3] Hoffman, Thomas. " Smart Dust." 24 March, 2003. http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/story/0,10801,79572,00.html

[4] Manjoo, Farhad. "Dust Keeping the Lights Off." 28 May, 2001. http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2001/05/44101

[5] "Smart Dust: Organized grime." PA Consulting Group. http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:ILraiveRmkEJ:www.paconsulting.com/NR/rdonlyres/BA97F6EF-B7C2-4174-903E-E7F83D840DAF/0/foresight_smart_dust.pdf+smart+dust+computer+interface&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1