Biocybernetic loop: From awareness to evolution

Developing systems that support people in everyday life in a discrete and effective way is an ultimate goal of a new generation of technical systems. Physiological computing represents one means of creating a system to sense the user, analyse users' responses to system adaptation and respond dynamically. This process of adaptation is achieved by creating a biocybernetic loop that may operate on several, simultaneous timescales (minutes/hours/weeks/ months/years). In terms of architecture, it is argued that a ldquosense-analyse-reactrdquo system requires middleware with closed-loop control consisting of: (1) a tangible layer concerned with sensors and actuators, (2) a reflective layer containing a flexible representation of the user to guide system adaptation, and (3) an application layer representing application scenarios and the context for adaptation and evolution.