Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, includes detecting one of an absence of a virtual universe (VU) occurrence in a VU within a predetermined time period, a special event in the VU and a change of real world status from a previous real world status. Additionally, the method includes determining a VU asset of a VU resident relevant to the VU occurrence, the special event or the previous real world status. Further, the method includes performing an automated asset reduction of the VU asset based on the determining.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, includes detecting one of an absence of a virtual universe (VU) occurrence in a VU within a predetermined time period, a special event in the VU and a change of real world status from a previous real world status. Additionally, the method includes determining a VU asset of a VU resident relevant to the VU occurrence, the special event or the previous real world status. Further, the method includes performing an automated asset reduction of the VU asset based on the determining.

Abstract: A method deploys a remotely-maneuverable rolling platform from a faulty self-driving vehicle (SDV). The method detects a driving problem severity level for the faulty self-driving vehicle (SDV), where the driving problem severity level describes an amount of danger that is posed to other vehicles by the faulty SDV, and assesses environmental conditions at the location of the faulty SDV. The method determines an opportune position for deploying one or more road safety flares by the faulty SDV based on the environmental conditions at the location of the faulty SDV and the driving problem severity level, and then deploys a remotely-maneuverable rolling platform, from the faulty SDV to the opportune position, based on the amount of danger that is posed to the other vehicles by the faulty SDV, where the one or more road safety flares are coupled to the remotely-maneuverable rolling platform.

Abstract: A method for implementing a program that modifies playback of media content to fit an estimated travel time of a user. The method includes receiving an estimated playback time of the media content and an estimated travel time of a user to reach a destination. The method further includes generating one or more multimedia playback options for the media content based on the length of the media content and the estimated travel time of the user to reach the destination, and modifying the one or more multimedia playback options for the media content to fit an updated travel time of the user.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating the autonomous presentation of a self-driving vehicle are provided. In one example, a method can include a system operatively coupled to a processor, where the system: determines a feature of a self-driving vehicle based on information regarding an entity in a pending transaction; determines a task to be performed by the self-driving vehicle based on the feature; and generates an instruction for the self-driving vehicle to perform the task.

Abstract: Aspects include a method, system and computer program product for alleviating an episode of a movement disorder condition for a patient. The method comprises deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to a location of a patient based on an occurrence of an episode of a movement disorder condition. A first gross sensory change stimulus is selected with a processor. The first gross sensory change stimulus is projected from the UAV. An attempt to alleviate the episode of the movement disorder condition is performed based at least in part on the projecting of the first gross sensory change stimulus from the UAV. The alleviating of the episode of the movement disorder condition is detected based on the gross sensory change stimulus from the UAV.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle for aerial transportation of delivery items. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes an attachment device to fasten and unfasten one or more delivery items to the unmanned aerial vehicle, a motor to aerially transport the one or more delivery items along a delivery route, a sensor mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle to detect at least one environmental variable during the delivery route, and an alert system to generate a status associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle along the delivery route to an observer when the environmental variable exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Approaches presented herein enable challenge-response authentication of a user based on information captured by devices associated with the user. Specifically, in one approach, a plurality of devices associated with the user that each dynamically track and store on-device data points over a period of time are identified. A request initiated by a party claiming to be the user is received to authenticate the party as the user. An authentication question is generated in a natural language, the answer to which is a data point selected from data points on at least one device of the plurality, wherein the selected data point is discoverable by viewing data points on the at least one device. The requesting party is prompted to find the data point by presenting the authentication question to the requesting party. In the case that the requesting party returns the answer, the requesting party is authenticated as the user.

Abstract: Selecting and displaying a profile photo may include determining viewer characteristics of a viewer who is triggering an action to open an image file that shows a photo image. A context associated with viewing of the profile photo and photo image characteristics of a plurality of photos may be determined. Based on the viewer characteristics, the photo image characteristics and the context associated with viewing of the profile photo, a photo from the plurality of photos may be selected. Responsive to determining that the selected photo is to be transformed, a transformed version of the photo image may be generated and displayed.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a machine. The system includes an aerial vehicle configured to fly to a lubrication location proximate the machine. A supply of friction minimizing material is carried by the aerial vehicle. A controller is configured to deliver at least part of the supply of friction minimizing material to the machine when the aerial vehicle is at the lubrication location.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the rendering of one or more objects based on payment and account options. The system includes a computer infrastructure configured to control enhancement rendering of an object in a virtual universe by providing at least one augmentation attribute to a tag of the object. The method includes providing enhancement rendering of an object in a virtual universe by augmenting the object based on a status of a user viewing the object.

Abstract: A method and system for managing shared inventory in a virtual universe. A received owner request from an owner of an inventory item designates the inventory item as a shared inventory item. The owner request specifies terms and conditions under which the inventory item may be shared for use by users other than the owner. In response to receiving the owner request, metadata comprising the terms and conditions is generated. It is ascertained that the terms and conditions in the received metadata permit use of the shared inventory item by a particular user from whom a user request to use the shared inventory item had been received and in response, the shared inventory item for use of the shared inventory item by the particular user is rendered. The particular user is not the owner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for advertising, and, more particularly, systems and methods for managing ephemeral locations in a virtual universe. A method for managing ephemeral locations in a virtual universe (VU) includes causing a computer infrastructure to: render an ephemeral location upon a triggering in the VU; teleport a VU user avatar to the ephemeral location; permit the user avatar to interact in the ephemeral location; teleport the user avatar out of the ephemeral location; and un-render the ephemeral location.

Abstract: A system and method for energy conservation in a virtual universe, the method comprising: determining, at a server, available energy conservation options associated with an avatar of the virtual universe; determining, at the server, selected energy conservation options of the available energy conservation options; and applying, at the server, the selected energy conservation options to portions of the virtual universe associated with the avatar.

Abstract: A computer-implemented air quality amelioration method, computer program product, and system for a self-driving vehicle, the method including detecting a value of an air quality within a cabin of the self-driving vehicle and performing an amelioration action to improve the value of the air quality based on the detection of the value of the air quality being less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Information relating to at least one of a user and a user environment is acquired. A user cognitive state is determined based on the acquired information. A graphical control element is automatically configured based on the user cognitive state. The graphical control element is automatically presented on a display interface of a user device to control viewing of content displayed on the user device.

Abstract: A method controls an operational mode of a self-driving vehicle (SDV). One or more physical detectors detect an erratically driven vehicle (EDV) that is being operated in an unsafe manner within a predetermined distance of an SDV that is initially being operated in an evasive autonomous mode. One or more processors retrieve traffic pattern data for other SDVs, and examine the traffic pattern data to 1) determine a first traffic flow of the other SDVs while operating in the evasive autonomous mode, and 2) determine a second traffic flow of the other SDVs while operating in a manual mode. In response to determining that the first traffic flow has a higher accident rate than the second traffic flow, an operational mode device changes the operational mode of the SDV from the evasive autonomous mode to the manual mode.

Abstract: Approaches presented herein enable challenge-response authentication of a user based on information captured by a personal internet of things (IoT) device set associated with the user. Specifically, in one approach, a personal IoT device set comprising at least one device records and stores data associated with a user. The data is synchronized and stored to a computerized authentication system, which prompts the user with an authentication question based on the synchronized and stored data. The user may find an answer to the authentication question by reviewing data recorded and stored in the device of the personal IoT device set. The user may then enter the found answer to the authentication question, thereby authenticating the user. The personal IoT device set may comprise a single device or may comprise a plurality of devices, the information of one of which may be selected as the basis of the authentication question.

Abstract: A region of interest is determined by a location and an orientation of a device, wherein the region of interest is proximate to the device. A set of locations of items of interest is determined with respect to the region of interest. A background and a first set of representations against the background is presented on the device display according to the location and orientation of the device. Each representation is of a respective item of interest located in the region of interest. The region of interest is adjusted with a pinch gesture on the background, however, the presenting of the background does not change in response to the pinch gesture. Instead, the set of locations of one or more items of interest is determined with respect to the adjusted region of interest, and a second set of representations is presented against the background. Each representation of a respective item of interest is located in the adjusted region of interest.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for inserting artificial intelligence (AI) content into a user content stream in a microblog service. A system is provided that includes an AI agent builder that builds and refines an AI agent for a user based on attributes and data associated with a user; a courtship system that periodically measures an affiliation level between the user and the AI agent; and an AI content manager that provides AI content for insertion into a content stream of the user within a microblog service, wherein the AI content is curated based on the affiliation level and a triggering event detected by the AI agent.