Context-Aware Systems in Ubiquitous Computing: Techniques, Applications, and Challenges

Abstract

Ubiquitous computing (Ubicomp) has radically altered human interactions with technology by embedding computational capabilities into everyday environments. At the core of Ubicomp lies context-aware systems (CAS), which dynamically adapt their operations based on real-time contextual information such as user location, activity, and environmental conditions. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of CAS, exploring the techniques for context sensing, representation, and reasoning. It discusses key applications in healthcare, smart homes, transportation, and smart cities, while also addressing the challenges, including privacy concerns, scalability, and the accuracy of context interpretation. Furthermore, we examine the future trends in CAS, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), and their implications for the next generation of ubiquitous computing systems.