Project Oxygen aims to create a human-centered computing environment where computation is freely available everywhere through configurable generic devices. It seeks to allow users to communicate naturally using speech and gestures rather than requiring interaction on computers' terms. The project involves developing technologies like handheld and embedded devices (H21 and E21), self-configuring networks (N21), and speech, vision, automation and collaboration tools to realize this vision. Several challenges around pervasive, embedded, nomadic and adaptive computing must be addressed. The project is a $50 million multi-company effort started in 1999, but key concepts like N21 and INS remain difficult to implement practically.