Title: Designing a usable ambient intelligence system

Authors: Lorna Uden, Pedro Valderas

Addresses: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology, Staffordshire University, The Octagon Beaconside, Stafford, ST18 OAD, UK. ' Research Center on Software Production Methods, Technical University of Valencia, 46022 Cami de Vera s/n., Valencia, Spain

Abstract: The design of the ambient intelligence service interface should be seen as an evolutionary object that continually changes to adapt to the emerging needs of the users. Context-awareness is a key feature of ambient computing. There is currently very little research conducted on how we can support the design of usable context-aware homes through ambient intelligence. Although principles of traditional interface design can be useful, we need to go beyond usability by looking at design parameters that deal with the contextual issues of these systems. Activity theory incorporates the notions of intentionality, history, mediation, motivation, understanding, culture and community into design. In particular, it provides a framework in which the critical issue of context can be taken into account. This paper studies how activity theory can be used for analysing user needs in order to design an ambient intelligence home.

Keywords: activity theory; ambient intelligence; requirements engineering; usability; smart home systems; context awareness; ambient computing; user needs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWET.2010.038245

International Journal of Web Engineering and Technology, 2010 Vol.6 No.2, pp.189 - 215

Published online: 24 Jan 2011 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article