Blanketteknologia

Blanketteknologia is a term used in some Nordic and European tech discourses to describe technologies designed to create a universal, ambient layer of coverage over physical spaces and digital ecosystems. It emphasizes pervasive, often low-power devices and materials that together form a 'blanket' of connectivity, sensing, or energy.

The definition is not standardized; different groups emphasize different aspects, including wireless networking, ambient computing, smart textiles, and energy harvesting. The term blends 'blanket' with 'teknologi' to signal an overarching, integrated approach rather than a single device.

Core concepts include distributed sensing networks, low-power and energy-harvesting devices, reversible or invisible hardware, and interoperable platforms that allow data and power to flow seamlessly across environments.

Potential applications span smart buildings and cities, healthcare and elder care, environmental monitoring, industrial automation, and consumer electronics.

Historically, the idea has appeared in academia and industry discussions since the 2010s, often linked to the broader trends of ambient intelligence and the Internet of Things. It is sometimes used to frame policy and standardization efforts rather than to denote a discrete engineering specialty.

Key challenges include privacy and security risks posed by pervasive sensing, data governance, interoperability between devices from different vendors, and the risk of widening the digital divide.

Research directions focus on standard architectures, ethical guidelines, user-centric design, and scalable energy solutions for ubiquitous devices.

Related concepts include ambient intelligence, pervasive computing, the Internet of Things, and smart textiles.