The notion of dependability... technological systems being dependable is not new. We all want things that we buy from the shops to work and not break down within a short time. Obviously, every item we buy has different expectations associated with it. If we buy a second hand car which has high mileage and costs very little, we can expect to pay a lot in maintenance and repair bills. If we buy a new car straight from the forecourt, then we should expect trouble free motoring for a number of years.

The same is true for Assistive Technologies (AT), "smart homes" and telecare systems, to some degree. The major difference between these systems and the car is that although we rely to differing levels on the car we have, we are more likely to be qualitatively more dependant on the technology that assists us in our daily lives.

If someone relies on a piece of technology to undertake a task that they cannot do themselves then they need it to work, first time, every time! Moreover, if someone buys technology they expect it to do what they assume it will do what is expected without doing other strange things. For example, you would not expect to fit a light switch and find that every time you use it the television switches off or a front door bell ring when no one is at the door.

Put plainly, technology needs to be 100% accurate in description and operation. Clearly, this is not always the case. The DIRC project explores these issues within the domestic scenarios that exist. The DIRC project PA7 and TA-EAT 'Ubiquitous Computing in the Home' specifically looked at dependability and design issues around home systems and assistive Technology, Smart Homes systems and Telecare.

Moreover, Technology is increasingly invading our daily lives, we wake up to radio/CD/alarms, put our breakfast in the microwave, wash our clothes in the new washing machine (that could be connected to the Internet) and take the milk from the fridge (also potentially Internet worthy) and switch on the mp3 player, stereo, TV, video or DVD, before getting into our high tech cars and starting our days at the space age office. Technology has become an integral part of our existence. Could we survive without the mobile phone (can we use a mobile phone?)?... or the PC (ditto)?

How dependent on new technology are we really? Check out the Technology Projects section! For further info on these issues can be found in this section and here. And while you are there, check out some of the other useful and interesting sites that are around before heading to the Links pages for more info. But first.... for the time being have a look at this paper (2)or this PowerPoint to clarify things as well as seeing the articles page where a full range of papers exist.

Also see the Design and MDDS and DTA pages