TeC: end-user development of software systems for smart spaces

Abstract

This paper presents TeC, a framework for end-user design, deployment, and evolution of applications for smart spaces. This work is motivated by the current gap between traditional software development approaches and end user desire to easily personalise and evolve their systems for smart spaces. TeC is precise enough to support the fully automated deployment of systems designed by end users, and it addresses important characteristics of ubiquitous computing, namely, the ability to describe dynamic adaptations and to relate system features to physical location and to the presence and identity of users. TeC is described by example, with four home automation systems concerning surveillance and energy management. The paper also discusses the implementation of the TeC middleware and preliminary evaluation concerning usability and engineering effort.