About the project
The project will define and implement a platform to simplify and speed up the task of developing and deploying mobile applications and services. It focuses in particular on making it feasible to provide mobile services where: (1) The number of users is very large; (2) The network may need to be set up at short notice, or for limited duration; (3) Infrastructure is limited and some users may have to use ad-hoc communications.
The platform will consist of an overall architecture, and middleware building blocks providing solutions to technical issues that must be addressed in developing mobile services.
The functions provided by the building blocks will include: (1) Maintaining connectivity between nodes, mixing infrastructure-based and infrastructure-free communications as needed; (2) Information sharing through development of a flexible distributed data management system; (3) Gathering, transforming and distributing context information in a form suitable for realizing mobile services.
A horizontal architecture will be used, meaning that applications can adapt to different underlying communications technologies.
The project will promote standardisation by aligning its work with the OMA (Open Mobile Alliance).
Two challenging application scenarios will be used as a source of requirements on mobility, and as a means to validate the approach: mobile support for emergency crews responding to a major incident, and a system for collecting and spreading information at sports events.
The consortium includes a major research institute [SINTEF], one of Europe's foremost system integrator companies [Capgemini], a major telecoms company [Telefonica], an SME (and IST prize winner) specialising in mobile services [Appear Networks], two organisations with expertise in the domains to be used for application scenarios [51pegasi and RATP], and two Universities with leading expertise in the technical areas addressed by the project [Universities of Oslo and Warsaw].
Time
01-jan-2006 - 01-jul-2008
Financing
The project duration will be 30 months, with a cost budget of 4.9 MEUR and requested grant of 2.9 MEUR. The project is expected to start in early 2006.
Cooperation
Research Partners: SINTEF, Capgemini, Telefonica, Appear Networks, 51pegasi, RATP, and University of Warsaw