Transforming traditional pervasive computing for emerging markets - Underlying challenges and opportunities

This paper analyzes Weiser's original definition of ubiquitous or pervasive computing (PerComp) and compares its presence in developed nations to the needs of emerging markets. The majority of PerComp research is targeted towards industrial nations, while users from resource constrained, low income and digitally unstable regions are often neglected. It is essential for the scientific community to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by PerComp technologies in emerging markets, since these economies account for two-thirds of the worlds' total population. The PerComp research agenda needs to be extended so that it includes users in emerging markets. PerComp technologies can play a pivotal role in alleviating the poverty of previously neglected emerging markets. This is no easy goal due to the serious challenges posed by the socio-economic levels of the various emerging markets. The overall contribution of this paper is to point out that the main features used to evaluate "traditional" PerComp solutions may not hold for the developing market. The authors surveyed some prior work on challenges for adoption of PerComp systems in developing regions, and the unique opportunities they offer.