However, all these fancy sensors and tags need software to make sense of the data they deliver. Just knowing that a piece of machinery is running hot does not help much. GE uses sophisticated statistical methods and historical data to decide whether it is a clogged fuel filter or just bad weather that has reduced a locomotive's horsepower. Similar tools tell a railway company how many of its locomotives need servicing at any one time so that it can schedule the work at its maintenance centres.

All these sensors will generate a phenomenal quantity of data, raising the spectre of a huge information overload. One solution is to make the sensors smart enough to communicate with each other and process much of the information automatically. Mr Pister and his Berkeley colleagues have developed an operating system for their smart-dust motes that lets them form wireless networks without human intervention.

Such self-organising technology might one day make another futurologists' dream come true. Sensors will combine their skills with effectors, tiny devices that can manipulate matter, making it possible to create "smartifacts"—smart materials and intelligent artifacts. One example often mentioned is turbulence-reducing aeroplane wings covered in billions of silicon microflaps and tiny wind sensors. Another is bridges made earthquake-safe using arrays of effectors and sensors. These sound highly desirable, but other potential uses of sensors are less benign.

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