Pervasive computing in emergency situations

Pervasive computing is still in its infancy and is mainly used in tightly constrained situations and environments. Examples such as "smart houses" are constrained both physically and conceptually. As a result, their computing power is not genuinely pervasive. This paper looks at how we can introduce pervasive systems in everyday large-scale public environments that are not tightly controlled or monitored. The impact of social issues on pervasive computing is discussed, along with ideas on overcoming the challenges posed by social requirements and constraints.