Existing Technology

In order to understand how our system will be implemented it is important to understand the current available technology and whether the designs are feasible in a real world scenario.


Internet Kiosks
Internet Kiosks are the closest example of an analogue to the i-browse software agent. Such a system is already implemented around UCLan in the form of the i-stops which provide access to the University Intranet. The main difference between them and our proposed system is that the i-browse provides a more intuitive user interface having the capacity to be personalized to the individual users. It also proposes a greater use of metadata to increase its functionality within the University Intranet and the wider community.

RFID Tags


RFID Tags are becoming more and more prevalent within ICT and society in general. i-browse makes extensive use of RFID Tags to create a personalized user experience. However the use of storing sensitive data and in the use of RFID Tags in general raises many ethical and security issues.

Holographic Interfaces


Holographic interfaces have yet to be fully realized although there are many companies who are coming close to implementing them. This would be an ideal technology for our i-browse software agent as it promises vandal proof technology in public spaces. Whilst this would be the ideal the i-browse service could function just as well within a traditional screen GUI environment.

Motion Sensors + Input Devices


I-browse would ideally utilize an advanced input device including voice recognition, retina scanning, facial recognition etc. This would create a more intuitive and adaptable user experience and has the capacity to increase the overall accessibility of the i-browse system. However with more limited means basic motion sensor technology could be employed to create pseudo artificial intelligence with a reactive user interface.