"Mobile computing" describes the use of computing technology on the go, through devices such as smartphones, tablets, portable computers, and wearable computers and sensors. The SEI is focusing on pervasive mobile computing at the tactical edge—environments in which front-line soldiers and first responders operate.

The SEI is working to realize this vision for soldiers and first responders:

• Front-line soldiers: Dismounted soldiers receive information that is more relevant and useful for their current mission, on devices that consume fewer battery and bandwidth resources, using applications that they can readily customize to support their needs.
• Humanitarian assistance/disaster response: On-scene responders with access to local information about resource needs of victims—such as food, water, shelter, and medicine—can make better decisions that maximize use of local resources and external assistance.

The SEI explores the architecture and implementation of mobile systems that increase the flexibility of edge users to respond to diverse missions. In these systems, "pervasive computing"—the use of devices embedded with chips that can connect to a network—plays a major role.

Learn More

Learn about our research in pervasive mobile computing.

Download our information sheet about the Advanced Mobile Systems Initiative.