Speckled computing: disruptive technology for networked information appliances

Speckled Computing is an emerging technology in which data will be sensed in minute (ultimately around one cubic millimetre) semiconductor grains called Specks. Information will be extracted, exchanged and processed in a collaborative fashion in a wireless network of thousands of Specks, called a Specknet. The impact of Speckled Computing on consumer electronics, especially future information appliances, will be disruptive. Objects and the surrounding environment when treated with Specks, or "Speckled", will be endowed with sensing, processing and wireless networking capabilities. This would effectively "smarten" everyday objects and surroundings post hoc, transforming them into networked information appliances. This paper introduces the concepts of Specks, Specknets and Speckled Computing, and outlines the challenges to be overcome to realise this technology. A prototype for Specks called ProSpeckz (Programmable Specks over Zigbee Radio) which is currently used as a rapid development platform for Speckled Computing is described. ProSpeckz is also intended as an enabler for integrating the technology of Speckled Computing into consimer electronics applications and some illustrative examples are described in this paper.