'Intelligent building' begins to take on new meaning

A University of Massachusetts engineer has designed - and proven in practice - the world's smallest micro-computer. No bigger than a match head, it provides full-function internet access, opening up the opportunity to network any aspect of the home or office environment.

Each tiny device, which costs well under £1 to build, operates as an internet router, comparable in function to an internet service provider or ISP. Each is small enough to be fitted into any element of a building's systems, enabling it to be controlled through a web browser. That, in turn, offers the opportunity to eliminate some of the cabling and the associated unfriendly control panels spread throughout most offices.

The micro-computer's developer expects the benefits to building occupiers to include substantial gains in terms of lower costs, better management and increased reliability of systems.

Technical details and photographs can be found at
www-ccs.cs.umass.edu/shri/iPic.html

Elliott Chase