Live objects: A system for infrastructure-less location-based services

Location-based services are rapidly changing the way users explore and interact with the surrounding environment. They typically associate location information, provided by GPS or Bluetooth Low Energy devices, with remote content accessible through the Internet. However, Internet connectivity, especially in outdoor spaces, is not always available or may be too costly to be used for downloading large content (e.g. when users are abroad or have a limited data plan). In this paper we propose Live Objects, a system for infrastructure-less proximity-based services. Live Objects are pervasive media-server devices, which can be discovered by users and stream locally stored media content in proximity without the need for an Internet connection. Live Objects can be installed anywhere, even in places without power supply and communication infrastructure. We demonstrate a deployment of Live Objects in an outdoor test field. Using these devices, together with an Android app and a software middleware, users can have a self-guided tour of the area, discover the interesting places, and get associated information, particularly in the form of high-resolution video.