Zidianakis, E., Margetis, G., Paparoulis, S., Toutountzis, T., Stratigi, K., Paparoulis, G., & Stephanidis, C. (2016) Turning an electric cargo vehicle into a portable interactive information kiosk In C. Stephanidis (Ed.), HCI International 2016 - Posters' Extended Abstracts, Part II, Volume 28 of the combined Proceedings of HCI International 2016 (18th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction), Toronto, Canada, 17-22 July, pp. 463–469. Berlin Heidelberg: Communications in Computer and Information Science (CCIS 618).

DOI: http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-40542-1_75

Abstract

This paper presents the conversion of an electric cargo vehicle into a portable platform for interacting with information applications. The cargo vehicle hosts 2 seats for the driver and 1 extra passenger, and 3 interactive systems installed at the cargo’s right, left and back exterior side. The vehicle is intended to follow predefined routes from central ports to the nearest city center, making long term stops. During stops, embedded interactive systems entertain and provide visitors and other passersby with information of local interest. This papers focuses on the vehicle’s conversion process, from the installation of the necessary hardware components needed by the interactive systems to the development of a portable control panel designed to address the driver’s needs.

Margetis, G., Antona, M., & Stephanidis, C. (2015) A Framework for Supporting Natural Interaction with Printed Matter in Ambient Intelligence Environments In the Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Ambient Computing, Applications, Services and Technologies (AMBIENT 2015), Nice, France, 19-24 July (pp. 72-78). USA: IARIA XPS Press.

DOI: https://goo.gl/ysPHFm

Stavroula NtoaAsterios LeonidisMaria KoroziEleni PapadakiIlia AdamiGeorge MargetisMargherita AntonaEmail authorConstantine Stephanidis (2015) Analysis and Design of Three Multimodal Interactive Systems to Support the Everyday Needs of Children with Cognitive Impairments In the Proceedings of the UAHCI 2015: Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. Access to Learning, Health and Well-Being pp 637-648.

DOI: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-20684-4_61

Abstract

The autonomy and independence of users with cognitive impairments can be fostered through cognitive technologies. The use of traditional computer interfaces has however proved to be difficult for these users. This paper proposes three innovative systems to train children with cognitive impairments in three fundamental everyday life activities: (a) familiarizing with the home environments, its objects and activities; (b) learning about money and practicing shopping skills; and (c) learning how to prepare and cook simple meals. All three systems feature multimodal interaction and support multimedia output.

Ntoa, S., Leonidis, A., Korozi, M., Papadaki, E., Margetis, G., Antona, M., & Stephanidis, C. (2015) Analysis and Design of Three Multimodal Interactive Systems to Support the Everyday Needs of Children with Cognitive Impairments In M. Antona & C. Stephanidis (Eds.), Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. Access to Learning, Health and Well-Being – Volume 9 of the combined Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI International 2015), Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2-7 August, pp. 637-648. Berlin Heidelberg: Lecture Notes in Computer Science Series of Springer

DOI: http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-20684-4_61

Abstract

The autonomy and independence of users with cognitive impairments can be fostered through cognitive technologies. The use of traditional computer interfaces has however proved to be difficult for these users. This paper proposes three innovative systems to train children with cognitive impairments in three fundamental everyday life activities: (a) familiarizing with the home environments, its objects and activities; (b) learning about money and practicing shopping skills; and (c) learning how to prepare and cook simple meals. All three systems feature multimodal interaction and support multimedia output.

Partarakis, N., Zidianakis, E., Antona, M., & Stephanidis, C. (2015) Art and Coffee in the Museum In N. Streitz & P. Markopoulos (Eds.), Distributed, Ambient, and Pervasive Interactions – Volume 21 of the combined Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI International 2015), Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2-7 August, pp. 370-381. Berlin Heidelberg: Lecture Notes in Computer Science Series of Springer

DOI: http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-20804-6_34

Abstract

Natural interaction refers to people interacting with technology as they are used to interact with the real world in everyday life, through gestures, expressions, movements, etc., and discovering the world by looking around and manipulating physical objects [16]. In the domain of cultural heritage research has been conducted in a number of directions including (a) Personalised Information in Museums, (b) Interactive Exhibits, (c) Interactive Games Installations in Museums, (d) Museum Mobile Applications, (e) Museums presence on the Web and (f) Museum Social Applications. Most museums target family groups and organize family-oriented events in their programs but how families choose to visit particular museums in response to their leisure needs has rarely been highlighted. This work exploits the possibility of extending the usage of AmI technology, and thus the user experience, within leisure spaces provided by museums such as cafeterias. The Museum Coffee Table is an augmented physical surface where physical objects can be used for accessing information about artists and their creations. At the same entertainment for children is facilitated through the integration of popular games on the surface. As a result, the entire family can seat around the table, drink coffee and complete their visit to the museum acquiring additional knowledge and playing games.

Zabulis, X., Margetis, G., Koutlemanis, P., & Stephanidis, C. (2015) Augmenting Printed Documents

DOI: http://users.ics.forth.gr/~zabulis/augmenteddocs.pdf

Abstract

The “Interactive Documents” system augments documents, books, and leaflets on the surfaces on which they are read. The augmented content complements that of the printed document interactively; the user can touch regions of interest both within the printed matter and the augmented content.

Zidianakis, E., Zidianaki, I., Ioannidi, D., Partarakis, N., Antona, M., Paparoulis, G., & Stephanidis, C. (2015) Employing ambient intelligence technologies to adapt games to children’s playing maturity In International Conference on Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction (pp. 577-589). Springer International Publishing.

DOI: http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-319-20684-4_56

Birliraki, C., Grammenos, D., & Stephanidis, C. (2015) Employing Virtual Humans for Interaction, Assistance and Information Provision in Ambient Intelligence Environments In N. Streitz & P. Markopoulos (Eds.), Distributed, Ambient, and Pervasive Interactions – Volume 21 of the combined Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI International 2015), Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2-7 August, pp. 249-261. Berlin Heidelberg: Lecture Notes in Computer Science Series of Springer

DOI: http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-20804-6_23

Abstract

This paper reports on the design, development and evaluation of a framework which implements virtual humans for information provision. The framework can be used to create interactive multimedia information visualizations (e.g., images, text, audio, videos, 3D models) and provides a dynamic data modeling mechanism for storage and retrieval and implements communication through multimodal interaction techniques. The interaction may involve human-to-agent, agent-to-environment or agent-to-agent communication. The framework supports alternative roles for the virtual agents who may act as assistants for existing systems, standalone “applications” or even as integral parts of emerging smart environments. Finally, an evaluation study was conducted with the participation of 10 people to study the developed system in terms of usability and effectiveness, when it is employed as an assisting mechanism for another application. The evaluation results were highly positive and promising, confirming the system’s usability and encouraging further research in this area.

Leonidis, A., Antona, M., & Stephanidis, C. (2015) Enabling Programmability of Smart Learning Environments by Teachers In N. Streitz & P. Markopoulos (Eds.), Distributed, Ambient, and Pervasive Interactions – Volume 21 of the combined Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI International 2015), Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2-7 August, pp. 62-73. Berlin Heidelberg: Lecture Notes in Computer Science Series of Springer

DOI: http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-20804-6_6

Abstract

The evolution of Information Technology (IT) and the emergence of the Ambient Intelligence paradigm have drastically affected the way users live and learn. Ambient Intelligence is a vision of the future that offers great opportunities to enrich everyday activities (e.g., on the road, at home, at work, etc.) and has been proven to play an important role in education. In smart learning environments, learning activities are enhanced with the use of pervasive and mobile computing. This paper presents an extensible software infrastructure that empowers teachers to design and program purposeful and engaging learning activities for formal and informal learning environments, by combining and orchestrating cloud-based, ambient and pervasive facilities and services.

G. Margetis, X. Zabulis, S. Ntoa, P. Koutlemanis, E. Papadaki, M. Antona, C. Stephanidis (2015) Enhancing education through natural interaction with physical paper Universal Access in the Information Society, Special Issue on “User Experience and Access using Augmented and Multimedia Technologies”, (pp. 427-447)

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10209-014-0365-0

Abstract

Pervasive computing environments have permeated current research and practice, unobtrusively augmenting existing environments with digital content. The present work, following a pervasive computing approach, proposes a framework to augment an educational environment, being a typical classroom or any studying environment. In this context, the work presented in this paper investigates unobtrusive interaction and support of active educational or studying activities through appropriate context-sensitive information. To this end, passive visual sensing is employed in order to unobtrusively perceive the current context and users’ actions, thus providing novel ways to implement natural interaction. The suitability of the proposed interaction technologies and overall approach has been demonstrated through three interactive applications integrated in the framework, each one supporting different interaction techniques and addressing different educational activities. Finally, a user experience evaluation of the three test-bed applications has been carried out, aiming to assess the applicability of the approach and the suitability of each of the proposed technologies to the educational tasks in hand.