Ubiquitous Computing Research Laboratory - UBILAB  

Operations Manager:  Prof. Rita Tse

The recently founded (Fall 2010) Ubiquitous Computing Research Laboratory (UBILAB) was developed by Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI) with the assistance of the School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). It is located at the MPI main campus. It conducts research on Ubiquitous Computing and Wireless Mobile Systems.

"Ubiquitous Computing", also known as Pervasive Computing, is based on the vision of small, inexpensive, robust networked processing devices that are distributed throughout the environment. The collective sensing, processing, networking and data exchange among these “ubiquitous” devices is harnessed to deliver essential services to customers. For example, domestic ubiquitous computing can be used for home patients care. The ubiquitous architecture connects lighting, heating and other environmental controls to personal biometric monitors worn by patients so that illumination, heating and humidity conditions are adjusted to meet the patient needs. In UbiLab we carry out research on a broad gamut of ubiquitous wireless mobile networks and systems, ranging from vehicular networks, sensor networks, mobile peer-to peer applications and health networks.

UbiLab features a cutting edge research infrastructure and is staffed by world-class scientists from MPI, UCLA and other collaborating Institutes. UbiLab will undertake research and knowledge transfer projects that initially focus on vehicular communications and will leverage the current results and resources in the C-VeT testbed at UCLA.

Key Objectives and Target Applications

The UBILAB Center brings together researchers from Macau, UCLA and other international Institutions to carry out innovative research in Ubiquitous, Pervasive applications. Initial focus will be on Vehicular Networks, to be followed by indoors applications such as ambient control and patient monitoring.  In the vehicular context the target applications will be:　

• Vehicular Urban Pollution Monitoring - Vehicles will be equipped with sensors measuring several environmental characteristics such as CO2 concentration, temperature, black carbon and other pollutants. Vehicles swarms will be programmed to perform automatic pollution hot-spot detection through cooperative sensing.  The data is cross-correlated and geo-tagged on a geographical information system (GIS).  
• Intelligent Transportation Systems: controlling the traffic congestion and optimizing the use of public and private transportation are becoming a mandatory goal for government agencies and policy makers. We propose to use vehicles equipped with a GPS as probing sensors for congestion.  This information is uploaded to the traffic control center that will use it to generate traffic optimization policies. These in turn will be implemented through a combination of traffic light strategies (e.g., green waves), congestion fees and personal navigator recommendations.  
• Location Based Services: Vehicles instrumented with GPS and communication devices will enable a new set of location based services including on-the-go digital billboards, opportunistic advertisement, government-run emergency information. In the event of a typhoon, when the 3G infrastructure is down, WiFi enabled emergency vehicles can assist rescue operations.

A UBILAB vehicular test-bed (UBIVeT) will be initially deployed at Macau Polytechnic Institute and will be extended to the city with the participation of public transport companies. UBIVeT will allow testing of the above applications in a realistic traffic environment

Deliverables 

Research findings obtained through analysis, simulation and measurements will be reported in conference and journal publications. 

Reference test-bed settings that extend and enhance existing test-sites for testing and benchmarking. Will be published on the project internal webpage. 

Technology transfer of research results to the commercial world through prototypes, patents, software licenses, and software libraries. 

Organization of contact meetings that include regular seminars, invited technical talks, and workshops on ubiquitous computing.