Applications of wireless research to real industrial problems. Applications of mobile computing and communication

In its Wireless Initiative, the Information Networking Institute deliberately seeks out innovative wireless and mobile application areas in the expectation that hands-on experience with real applications will keep all research work grounded in reality. Since the beginning of the Initiative three applications have been pursued, each incorporating the concepts of one or more researchers, and each addressing an acute problem for a customer organization. The three applications are: The FRIEND System-an application to provide distributed wireless access to different levels of emergency response personnel. These personnel may be first responders (police, fire, emergency medical), field dispatchers, or dispatched personnel. The Health-link System-an application for home health care support. The application initially targets the processes of agency referral and management of regularly scheduled visits by home health care nurses. Later versions will support management of emergency situations. The AMEFS System-an innovative maintenance system for Daimler-Benz (AEG Transportation Systems Inc. Maintenance and Engineering Feedback System-AMEFS) which includes making vehicles able to diagnose and report their operating conditions and a model technician support system. The system will not only simplify access to corporate-wide maintenance knowledge but also feed the technician's experience back into the maintenance system.