Towards user tailoring of self-adaptation in ubiquitous computing

Abstract

Ubiquitous computing both emphasizes the role of self-adaptation and poses new challenges to self-adaptation. These challenges include the need for new kinds of adaptation and the recast of classic ones, namely self-healing, to fit ubiquitous computing environments. Furthermore, because users will play an increasing role in assembling ubicomp systems, a key question is how to enable users to tailor self-adaptation to their needs. To position the new kinds of self-adaptation, the paper proposes a classification of self-adaptation according to what gets changed in response to what, complementarily to a classification of control loops. Specifically, the paper introduces design meshing, concerning dynamic adaptation to requirements independently put forth by multiple users; pliable apps, concerning structural modes of operation in response to context or other events; and a decentralized, lightweight protocol for self-healing. In addition to semantic aspects, we propose language constructs for users to tailor these kinds of self-adaptation. The paper discusses a decentralized approach to implement these building on common principles such as service orientation and the ability to automatically deploy system models. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.