Agents and ambient intelligence: case studies

The significance that ambient intelligence (AmI) has acquired in recent years requires the develop- ment of innovative solutions. In this sense, the develop- ment of AmI-based systems requires the creation of increasingly complex and flexible applications. One of the most important aspects in AmI is the use of context-aware technologies in order to perceive stimuli from both the users and the environment. Thus, the information obtained must be managed by intelligent and self-adaptable tech- nologies in order to provide an adequate interaction between the users and their environment. Agents and multi- agent systems are one of these technologies. The agents have characteristics such as autonomy, reasoning, reactiv- ity, social abilities and pro-activity which make them appropriate for developing dynamic and distributed sys- tems based on AmI, as they possess the capability of adapting themselves to the users and environmental characteristics. This paper presents several case studies where agents and context-aware technologies have been implemented to build AmI-based systems. These case studies expand the possibilities of AmI and get closer to its vision.