Abstract:

This paper reflects our interest in making some initial steps towards improved means of specifying, assessing, deploying and maintaining complex socio-technical systems in domestic contexts where high dependability is crucial. As computer based systems and artefacts penetrate more and more into people's everyday lives and homes, the 'design problem' is not so much concerned with the creation of new technical artefacts as it is with their effective and dependable configuration and integration. The paper also explores the ongoing DIRC project which is currently investigating this area within its Project Activity 'Dependable Ubiquitous Computing in the Home'.