Nick BentonMicrosoft Research Cambridge

MSRC: Looking forwardMSRC: Looking forward

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Microsoft ResearchMicrosoft Research Founded in 1991Founded in 1991 Core research facility for entire company Core research facility for entire company

Standalone, academically driven facilityStandalone, academically driven facility Internationally recognized research teamsInternationally recognized research teams

Staff of over 700 covering over 50 research Staff of over 700 covering over 50 research areas areas

Research lab locations:Research lab locations: Redmond, USA (1991)Redmond, USA (1991) Bay Area, San Francisco, USA (1995),Bay Area, San Francisco, USA (1995), Cambridge, UK (1996) Cambridge, UK (1996) Beijing, China (1998), Beijing, China (1998), Mountain View, Silicon Valley, USA (2001)Mountain View, Silicon Valley, USA (2001)

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MSR CambridgeMSR Cambridge

Founded 1996Founded 1996 First Microsoft Research Laboratory outside of First Microsoft Research Laboratory outside of

USAUSA Strengthen links to European research communityStrengthen links to European research community Create a technical link for Microsoft in EuropeCreate a technical link for Microsoft in Europe

Establish European perspective on Microsoft Establish European perspective on Microsoft research directions and product strategyresearch directions and product strategy

Located on University of Cambridge “West Located on University of Cambridge “West Cambridge” science and technology campusCambridge” science and technology campus

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Some MSRC NotablesSome MSRC Notables Prof. Roger Needham CBE (Founding Director)Prof. Roger Needham CBE (Founding Director)

Fellow UK Royal Society, Fellow Royal Academy of EngineeringFellow UK Royal Society, Fellow Royal Academy of Engineering Andrew HerbertAndrew Herbert

Citrix, University of Cambridge Citrix, University of Cambridge Prof. Sir Tony HoareProf. Sir Tony Hoare

Turing Award, Kyoto Prize, Fellow UK Royal SocietyTuring Award, Kyoto Prize, Fellow UK Royal Society Prof. Chris BishopProf. Chris Bishop

Fellow Royal Academy of EngineeringFellow Royal Academy of Engineering Prof. Andrew Blake Prof. Andrew Blake

Fellow Royal Academy of Engineering, Marr PrizeFellow Royal Academy of Engineering, Marr Prize Luca Cardelli Luca Cardelli

Visiting Professor, Imperial College, ACM FellowVisiting Professor, Imperial College, ACM Fellow Simon Peyton-JonesSimon Peyton-Jones

Honorary Professor, Glasgow University, ACM FellowHonorary Professor, Glasgow University, ACM Fellow

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MSRC Research PhilosophyMSRC Research Philosophy PeoplePeople

Hire the best researchers worldwide who want to work in Hire the best researchers worldwide who want to work in Europe on our chosen areas of researchEurope on our chosen areas of research

ResearchResearch Internationally recognised research competence Internationally recognised research competence Utilizing European strengthsUtilizing European strengths Strong track record of technology transfer to product Strong track record of technology transfer to product

groups groups CollaborationCollaboration

Open research: publish results of research in journals, Open research: publish results of research in journals, conferences and on World-Wide Webconferences and on World-Wide Web

Joint research with academics, particularly in EuropeJoint research with academics, particularly in Europe External program for collaborative research at boundaries of External program for collaborative research at boundaries of

computer science and other disciplinescomputer science and other disciplines

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MSRC OrganizationMSRC Organization

Cambridge LaboratoryCambridge Laboratory In-house mainstream computer science researchIn-house mainstream computer science research Collaborates with academic computer scientistsCollaborates with academic computer scientists Aims for technology transfer to Microsoft product Aims for technology transfer to Microsoft product

groupsgroups External Research OfficeExternal Research Office

Manage external research initiatives Manage external research initiatives Fostering multi-disciplinary collaborations – Fostering multi-disciplinary collaborations –

expanding the boundaries of computer scienceexpanding the boundaries of computer science Partnering with other Microsoft academic initiativesPartnering with other Microsoft academic initiatives

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MSRC MSRC Core Computer Science ResearchCore Computer Science Research Systems & Networking – Andrew Herbert (Managing Dir)Systems & Networking – Andrew Herbert (Managing Dir)

Operating SystemsOperating Systems NetworkingNetworking Distributed ComputingDistributed Computing

Machine Learning & Perception Machine Learning & Perception – – Christopher Bishop (Assistant Dir)Christopher Bishop (Assistant Dir) Machine Learning Machine Learning Computer VisionComputer Vision Information Retrieval Information Retrieval

Programming Principles & Tools Programming Principles & Tools – – Luca Cardelli (Assistant Dir)Luca Cardelli (Assistant Dir) Programming Language theory, design and implementationProgramming Language theory, design and implementation SecuritySecurity

Interactive Systems – Ken Wood (Senior Researcher)Interactive Systems – Ken Wood (Senior Researcher) Human Computer Interaction, Integrated Systems, Ubiquitous Human Computer Interaction, Integrated Systems, Ubiquitous

Computing, Sensors and DevicesComputing, Sensors and Devices

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Systems & NetworkingSystems & Networking

The scale and use of distributed systems has The scale and use of distributed systems has been considerably impacted by the success of been considerably impacted by the success of the Internet and the development of mobile the Internet and the development of mobile computing. Our aims are:computing. Our aims are: To advance the underlying theory and develop To advance the underlying theory and develop

algorithms whereby applications can measure and algorithms whereby applications can measure and respond to changing network conditions.respond to changing network conditions.

To develop technologies to improve performance by To develop technologies to improve performance by considering the overall arrangement of components considering the overall arrangement of components that make up the computing system. that make up the computing system.

The development of network-aware applications that The development of network-aware applications that can provide a desired Quality of Service to users. can provide a desired Quality of Service to users.

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Systems & Networking:Systems & Networking:Network InferenceNetwork Inference MotivationMotivation

Current Windows offers self-management for one Current Windows offers self-management for one computer, but not a networkcomputer, but not a network

Network problems a major source of customer Network problems a major source of customer problemsproblems

Automatically characterise home and small Automatically characterise home and small corporate networks and connectivitycorporate networks and connectivity In terms of topology, capacity and typeIn terms of topology, capacity and type By using collaborative active probingBy using collaborative active probing Without mandating any changes to network Without mandating any changes to network

infrastructureinfrastructure

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Systems & Networking Systems & Networking ScenarioScenario

Disconnect

Why has the video stopped?

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Systems & Networking Systems & Networking

Inexpensive consumer networking equipment does not Inexpensive consumer networking equipment does not support SNMP, sosupport SNMP, so Computers connected to network collaborate to inject probe Computers connected to network collaborate to inject probe

packets and note where they emergepackets and note where they emerge Thus infer the network topology, capacity and spare capacityThus infer the network topology, capacity and spare capacity

We detect hosts, switches, hubs, wireless APs and We detect hosts, switches, hubs, wireless APs and bridges, and their interconnections bridges, and their interconnections

Elect Elect collectorcollector, collaborates with , collaborates with responders responders to build to build map of network topologymap of network topology

Gather and utilize performance and connectivity Gather and utilize performance and connectivity information for network aware applications and information for network aware applications and diagnostic toolsdiagnostic tools

Safeguards to avoid creating vector for security attacksSafeguards to avoid creating vector for security attacks

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Systems & NetworkingSystems & Networking

Mockups only!Mockups only!

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Show Me!

Click to use a dialup connection to <ISP>

Click to reset power on <brand> Broadband device

Click to view <ISP> support information

Check this Broadband device!

• Reset Power

• Support Info

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Show Me!

Check power on <brand> Wireless Access Point

Click to run <brand> Wireless bridge utility

Click to view <brand> Wireless bridge support information

Check <brand> Wireless AP device! Internet connection is

working

Show Me!

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Machine Learning & Machine Learning & PerceptionPerception This group focuses on the development This group focuses on the development

of more advanced and intelligent of more advanced and intelligent computer systems through the computer systems through the exploitation of statistical methods in exploitation of statistical methods in machine learning and computer vision. machine learning and computer vision.

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Machine Learning & Machine Learning & Perception: i2iPerception: i2i

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Machine Learning & Machine Learning & Perception: SmartFramePerception: SmartFrame

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Machine Learning & Machine Learning & PerceptionPerception

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Machine Learning & Machine Learning & PerceptionPerception

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Machine Learning & Machine Learning & PerceptionPerception

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Programming Principles and Programming Principles and ToolsTools The Programming Principles and Tools The Programming Principles and Tools

group devises formal techniques and group devises formal techniques and models for understanding programs, models for understanding programs, programming abstractions and programming abstractions and languages, and develops related languages, and develops related implementation technology. implementation technology.

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Programming Principles and Programming Principles and ToolsTools Programming languagesProgramming languages

HaskellHaskell SML.NETSML.NET F#F# CC - talk this afternoon - talk this afternoon

SecuritySecurity Formal semantics of stackwalkingFormal semantics of stackwalking Web service security analysis via pi calculusWeb service security analysis via pi calculus

Generics in C# and the CLRGenerics in C# and the CLR

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Programming Principles and Programming Principles and ToolsTools

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Interactive SystemsInteractive Systems

The group's vision is fundamentally The group's vision is fundamentally interdisciplinaryinterdisciplinary bringing together hardware engineering, bringing together hardware engineering,

computer science, psychology and sociology computer science, psychology and sociology to address the problem of to address the problem of designing designing technology to support people in their technology to support people in their everyday lifeeveryday life

This is the newest group at MSRCThis is the newest group at MSRC More from Alex later today…More from Alex later today…

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Interactive SystemsInteractive Systems

SenseCamSenseCam Essentially a “Black Box” data and image recorder for Essentially a “Black Box” data and image recorder for

the human body the human body Current wearable prototype can be worn for a day and Current wearable prototype can be worn for a day and

captures up to 2000 images in 12 hourscaptures up to 2000 images in 12 hours Image capture triggered by sensors, e.g. motion, light, Image capture triggered by sensors, e.g. motion, light,

temperature, people in field of view, ...temperature, people in field of view, ... Sensor data is also recorded for later presentation, Sensor data is also recorded for later presentation,

analysis, and correlationanalysis, and correlation

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SenseCamSenseCam

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SenseCamSenseCam

Sensor readings

Corresponding images in rapid serial viewer

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Extend and grow Microsoft’s long-term Extend and grow Microsoft’s long-term research scope and capabilities into new areas research scope and capabilities into new areas of increasing strategic significanceof increasing strategic significance

Areas that have the potential to create, Areas that have the potential to create, stimulate and accelerate economic and social stimulate and accelerate economic and social value of new advances in computing and value of new advances in computing and sciencescience

Collaborative research modelCollaborative research model Grow base of ‘science-based innovation’ Grow base of ‘science-based innovation’ inin

Europe, Europe, forfor Europe Europe

External Research OfficeExternal Research Office

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ERO ProgramsERO Programs Computational SciencesComputational Sciences

Working with the European science community, Working with the European science community, build the tools for advancing science and society in build the tools for advancing science and society in 20102010

Non-classical computation Non-classical computation Long-range, “big bet” research areas that if Long-range, “big bet” research areas that if

successful would have profound impactsuccessful would have profound impact

Social centric applications of technologySocial centric applications of technology Re-thinking computing, Play & Creativity and healthRe-thinking computing, Play & Creativity and health

Intellectual Capital DevelopmentIntellectual Capital Development Contributing to training, development, retention Contributing to training, development, retention

and recognition of tomorrow’s European scientists and recognition of tomorrow’s European scientists

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Computational SciencesComputational Sciences

Build new tools for ‘doing science’ in 2010: Scientific Build new tools for ‘doing science’ in 2010: Scientific computing workbench – “Office for Science”computing workbench – “Office for Science”

Research to create a ‘Virtual scientist’ capable of Research to create a ‘Virtual scientist’ capable of conducting & analysing experiments by 2010conducting & analysing experiments by 2010

Advancing the urgent need to understand & protect our Advancing the urgent need to understand & protect our life support system – the Earth’s Biodiversitylife support system – the Earth’s Biodiversity

Call for Proposals: Call for Proposals: Computational tools for advancing science Computational tools for advancing science

Workshop: University of Trento Workshop: University of Trento Conference on Converging SciencesConference on Converging Sciences

Computation is revolutionising the sciences and promises to Computation is revolutionising the sciences and promises to transform society, but the ‘new kinds’ of science it is creating transform society, but the ‘new kinds’ of science it is creating is outstripping ability of scientists, Outstripping ability of is outstripping ability of scientists, Outstripping ability of computingcomputing

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Non-classical computation Non-classical computation

Biomimetic Architectures Biomimetic Architectures Based on lessons from nature’s 3Bn years of R&DBased on lessons from nature’s 3Bn years of R&D For example, drawing inspiration from computational For example, drawing inspiration from computational

biology rather than current naïve ‘biologically-biology rather than current naïve ‘biologically-inspired’ algorithmsinspired’ algorithms

Advanced, Ubiquitous ComputingAdvanced, Ubiquitous Computing Complexity problem from 100s of millions of PCs to Complexity problem from 100s of millions of PCs to

100s of 100s of BillionsBillions of ‘invisible computers’ of ‘invisible computers’ Exploration into solutions based on e.g., interstitial Exploration into solutions based on e.g., interstitial

functions as a specification for context-awareness, functions as a specification for context-awareness, Network ‘Motifs’, Network ‘Motifs’, -calculi based models-calculi based models

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Social centric applications of Social centric applications of technologytechnology The aim is the creation of novel, social The aim is the creation of novel, social

centric applications of technology that can centric applications of technology that can improve life and allow the technologies of improve life and allow the technologies of tomorrow to be easily accessible to tomorrow to be easily accessible to everybody everybody

Seek to advance society and ‘quality of life’ Seek to advance society and ‘quality of life’ through innovative use of its current and through innovative use of its current and future technologies and research. future technologies and research.

Call for proposal: Call for proposal: ‘Create, play and learn’‘Create, play and learn’ Deadline December 15Deadline December 15

Forum: Less is More, Simple Computing in Forum: Less is More, Simple Computing in an age of Complexity, April 2005an age of Complexity, April 2005

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Intellectual capital Intellectual capital development development Programmes to train, develop, retain and Programmes to train, develop, retain and

recognise tomorrow’s scientists in Europerecognise tomorrow’s scientists in Europe

PhD Studentships ProgrammePhD Studentships Programme Career Development Fellowship ProgramCareer Development Fellowship Program Details online by the end of the yearDetails online by the end of the year

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Looking forwardLooking forward

Networking and mobility becoming even Networking and mobility becoming even more important and pervasive more important and pervasive Network InferenceNetwork Inference:: Networking in the home Networking in the home CCωω: programming language for network : programming language for network

applicationsapplications SenseCam, mobile data collectionSenseCam, mobile data collection Computational Sciences, large distributed Computational Sciences, large distributed

amount of interdisciplinary dataamount of interdisciplinary data

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Looking forwardLooking forward

HCI is becoming more importantHCI is becoming more important I2II2I Network Inference:Network Inference: networking in the home networking in the home SenseCamSenseCam Social-centric Applications of technologySocial-centric Applications of technology Search and visualization technologies need Search and visualization technologies need

to allow humans to comprehend and to allow humans to comprehend and manipulate the amount of datamanipulate the amount of data

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SummarySummary

MSRC aims to be one of the most MSRC aims to be one of the most productive research centers worldwideproductive research centers worldwide building on a long history of research and building on a long history of research and

expertise within Europeexpertise within Europe

The research strengths of the lab are The research strengths of the lab are becoming more important and relevant becoming more important and relevant

Interdisciplinary collaborative research is Interdisciplinary collaborative research is a focus of our external activitiesa focus of our external activities

Questions?Questions?