Federated Device Assemblies (FDX) allow to federate device functionality across organisational boundaries based on Web service technologies. This is achieved by describing devices functionality in a machine readable abstraction. Using Web service technologies allows to access e.g. already existing security concepts.

Microsoft Research Cambridge supports MWRG to conduct the project “Software Engineering for Information Appliances at Home” (codenamed Capricorn). The project is concerned with applying Web technologies and service-oriented infrastructures to enable scenarios of ubiquitous devices usage in domestic environments. One major outcome will be the Home Center Web portal that enables the federation of family and friends’ networks through heterogeneous information appliances.