A brave new world – Imperial hosts forum to discuss future of internet

Imperial College Internet Centre hosts the first of a series of forums on the development of new internet technologies–News

Friday 1 August 2008
By Colin Smith

Sensors embedded in posters that wirelessly transmit tube information to mobile phones and computer software that can manage your personal life over the internet were just two of the possible technological advances discussed at a recent forum hosted by Imperial College London last week (24 July 2008).

The Imperial College Internet Centre, the College’s hub for internet research and development, hosted a one day ‘Wealth of Networks: Digital Economies and the Next Generation Internet’ forum for scientists, industry leaders and members of the public to help shape the future of internet technology research in the UK.

Internet technologies are rapidly advancing, making them more mobile, accessible and personal for users. For example, the Imperial College Internet Centre has been working on the VORTIX project which could potentially improve the commute for millions in the future. Working with Transport for London, Imperial researchers are using tag devices, a technology used in Oyster cards, to process and send information about delays and engineering works to commuters to aid them in their travels.

This tag technology can be embedded into items, for example railway posters or billboards at tube stations, so travellers can access the latest transport information wirelessly transmitted to their mobile phones.

The ‘Wealth of Networks’ forum investigated what impact new internet technologies, similar to the VORTIX project, may have on travelling in the future. Delegates were asked how these technologies could impact on their daily lives, their commute, travel plans and ultimately the choices they would make when deciding to travel.

Other discussions focussed on the futuristic innovations which would see the introduction of new computer programs that could intelligently manage all your daily transactions direct from the internet - the Internet Angel.

The Internet Angel programme would use the global positioning system in your laptop, mobile phone or blackberry to transmit personalised and localised information. For instance, it could notify you that a drama you are interested in is playing nearby or it could log on to the Transport for London website and warn you that there are delays at your nearest tube station and navigate an alternative bus route to save you time.

Forum delegates were asked to imagine what other services the Internet Angel could provide. One delegate suggested that the Internet Angel could act as an online holiday booking service locating your preferred destination on the web, booking flights and accommodation, buying foreign currency, checking insurance, and notifying your employer that you require leave.

Improving healthcare with new internet technologies was also discussed. The healthcare panel discussed a number of government and industry initiatives currently underway which are putting patient records online to allow people to view their own healthcare information, monitor the progress of their treatments, and make informed decisions about their healthcare requirements.

Continuously monitoring the condition of people living with diabetes was one of the practical benefits of putting medical records online, participants said. Diabetics often find that specific eating regimens alleviate symptoms associated with their illness. Forum participants discussed an online service where diabetics could share dietary tips and monitor their daily glucose readings with other sufferers to their improve health.

Forum participants discussed an online service where diabetics could share tips

A range of speakers including Mr John Varney, founder and CEO of internet consultancy Maximum Clarity, and Chief Technology Officer of the BBC; Mr John Hand, Head of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s Digital Economy programme; Mr Nick Leon, Director of Design London and Dr Gary Graham from Manchester Business School all took part in discussions.

Speaking about the relevance of the forum, Professor John Darlington, Director of the Imperial College Internet Centre, said:

“The involvement of the public in forums like this is a key element in ensuring that the evolution of the internet provides services which can benefit both the general public and industry. There is enormous potential for new internet services and I welcome input from delegates who attended this event.”

The ‘Wealth of Networks’ forum is the first in a series of public consultations within the Digital Economy programme, run by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), hosted by Imperial in conjunction with Oxford University, the University of Southampton, with participation from the University of Swansea, the University of West England, the University of Manchester and the University of London.

Recommendations from these forums will form part of a new EPSRC strategy which will guide them in future funding decisions for research into new internet technologies.

More than 120 delegates attended the event with representatives from Manchester Business School, Manchester Medical School, CREA-Ecole Polytechnique and Vodaphone.

The Imperial College Internet Centre was established through a £400,000 Strategy and Investment Fund grant from the College and the Faculty of Engineering and carries out research and software development into new internet technologies and applications.