Immersiveness of Ubiquitous Computing Environments Prototypes: A Case Study

Abstract

The development of ubiquitous computing (ubicomp) environments raises several challenges in terms of their evaluation. Ubicomp virtual reality prototyping tools enable users to experience the system to be developed and are of great help to face those challenges, as they support developers in assessing the consequences of a design decision in the early phases of development. Given the situated nature of ubicomp environments, a particular issue to consider is the level of realism provided by the prototypes. This work presents a case study where two ubicomp prototypes, featuring di↵erent levels of immersion (desktop-based versus CAVE-based), were developed and compared. The goal was to determine the cost/benefits relation of both solutions, which provided better user experience results, and whether or not simpler solutions provide the same user experience results as more elaborate one.

Supporting the Design of an Ambient Assisted Living System Using Virtual Reality Prototypes

“…Several ubicomp prototypes, mostly based on existing physical spaces, have been developed as part of the framework's design and development. Examples include a smart library [10,11] and an AAL system aimed at children who are asthma sufferers [6]. The present paper describes the first time the framework has been used to support a design exercise with real users.…”