bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Echo State Network for Occupancy Prediction and Pattern Mining in Intelligent Environments
Authors: Mahmoud Sawsan M.  , Lotfi Ahmad  , Sherkat Nasser  , Langensiepen Caroline  , Osman Taha
Published: February 2025

Pattern analysis and prediction of sensory data is becoming an increasing scientific challenge and a massive economical interest supports the need for better pattern mining techniques. The aim of this paper is to investigate efficient mining of useful information from a sensor network representing an ambient intelligence environment. The goal is to extract and predict behavioral patterns of a person in his/her daily activities by analyzing the time series data representing the behaviour of the occupant, generated using occupancy sensors. There are various techniques available for analysis and prediction of a continuous time series signal. However, the occupancy signal is represented by a binary time series where only discrete values of a signal are available. To build the prediction model, recurrent neural networks are investigated. They are proven to be useful tools to solve the difficulties of the temporal relationships of inputs between observations at different time steps, by maintaining internal states that have memory. In this paper, a special form of recurrent neural network, the so-called Echo State Network (ESN) is used in which discrete values of time series can be well processed. Then, a model developed based on ESN is compared with the most popular recurrent neural networks; namely Back Propagation Through Time (BPTT) and Real Time Recurrent Learning (RTRL). The results showed that ESN provides better prediction results compared with BPTT and RTRL. Using ESN, large datasets are learnt in only few minutes or even seconds. It can be concluded that ESN are efficient and valuable tools in binary time series prediction. The results presented in this paper are based on simulated data generated from a simulator representing a person in a 1 bed room flat.
Mining Purchase History to Predict Adoption of Mobile Computing
Authors: Stanford Derek
Published: February 2025

Mobile phones can provide consumers with constant, easy access to the internet, digital content, and a variety of mobile computing services. To explore how consumers choose to begin using these services, we examine purchases made by customers of a mobile carrier in the United States in 2008. We identify and quantify factors associated with adoption of mobile internet and other mobile services. We present measures of customer volatility and results from predictive models based on logistic regression, and we discuss impacts on customer retention and churn. Our results provide insight into mechanisms of consumer demand for mobile computing.
CHAD – Constraint Handling Architecture for Dialogue Management
Authors: Bertrand Gregor  , Heinroth Tobias  , Schmitt Alexander
Published: February 2025

Recent research shows that including logical reasoning into dialogue management could be of enormous benefit for the capabilities of the system. However logical reasoning is to some extent limited in its possibilities to infer or to find a conclusion given certain premises. Furthermore reasoning systems heavily rely on backtracking algorithms which is a great shortcoming concerning performance aspects.
Real time adaptivity from Cybernetics to Intelligent Environments: Rewriting the History of Ubiquitous Computing
Authors: De Vries Katja
Published: February 2025

The historical framework in which a technology is placed can affect the direction of legal, societal and philosophical thought about it. It is explored in which way “Ambient Intelligent” or “Intelligent Environments”-technologies are similar or different from the technologies which arose during the mechanical and the cybernetic revolution. The findings are applied to a possible new understanding of privacy: the protection of a “time of one's own” instead of “a private space of one's own”.
Raising Awareness of Energy Consumption in Smart Living Environments
Authors: Fercher Anton J.  , Hitz Martin  , Leitner Gerhard
Published: February 2025

Studies in economic psychology have repeatedly revealed that energy consumption behavior in the household could be optimized through the provision of frequent and immediate feedback. This aspect is still widely neglected by conventional metering equipment installed in most homes. Energy meters are generally placed at quite hidden locations and reading them only once a year or at best once a month for billing purposes remains the rule. Especially observation of variations or trends over longer periods of time is cumbersome and has to be done on the basis of handwritings or transferring manually read data to applications like spreadsheets. We introduce Perceivable Energy, a system that supports pervasive approaches to raise awareness of energy consumption. More innovative feedback mechanisms like, e.g., ambient displays are backed by a more conventional graphical user interface to provide detailed consumption data on demand. The system is designed to make integration and interconnections of new metering devices and visualizations simple and constitutes a good basis for further research on awareness of energy usage in our (future) living environments.
Technology Trends: A focus on Sensors and Smart Materials in the domain of Care Applications
Authors: Vlaskamp Frank  , Cremers Ger  , Soede Mathijs  , De Witte Luc
Published: February 2025

Mainstream technology development and application development focused on the domain of long-term care are expected to have a large potential for long-term care provision. If we know which care technology is underway, it is better possible to anticipate and adjust the technology under development to care demands.
High Spatial Resolution Dry-Electrode Surface EMG Acquisition System
Authors: Prance Helen  , Watson Philip  , Prance Robert  , Harland Christopher  , Beardsmore-Rust Sam  , Aydin Ahmet
Published: February 2025

A new, non-invasive, sensor technology is applied to the acquisition of surface electromyogram signals. High quality data is presented using this dry electrode technique which is suitable for long term monitoring or motor control applications. No skin or surface preparation techniques are required. Independent two degree of freedom control signals are derived from a three electrode measurement without the use of post processing. In addition, measurements are made using high resolution surface micro-electrodes.
The NADIA Terminal User Interface for People with Motor Disabilities
Authors: Fanucci Luca  , Iacopetti Fabrizio  , Malavasi Massimiliano  , Muscinelli Roberto  , Neccia Francesca  , Rossi Stefano  , Varacalli Giancarlo
Published: February 2025

In this paper, a user terminal interface is described realizing an application allowing autonomous and safe mobility of people on a wheelchair. The application has been developed in the framework of the NADIA research project, funded and promoted by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and implemented by Thales Alenia Space Italia with the collaboration of a mixed team of companies, university and user associations. The project has brought to the realization of a system exploiting the combined use of satellite navigation technologies based on GPS, EGNOS and augmentation signals, of hybridized technologies and of specific and user-oriented services implemented by terrestrial infrastructures. The user terminal selected is a consumer laptop, due to its flexibility, processing power, possibility of connection to other devices needed for the application. The user terminal has been made suitable to provide NADIA services also to wheelchair users presenting different kinds and degrees of upper limb disabilities, by means of a proper hardware solution overcoming limitations of existing technical aids for PC accessibility, not intended to be used in an autonomous mobility scenario. Also thanks to a proper control scheme of the application implemented by the terminal software, users may be provided with NADIA services by means of commercially available switch sensors specifically devoted to exploit user-specific residual abilities. The development of the solution has been constantly guided by hints and feedbacks from user associations, partners in the project. The NADIA prototype system has been successfully tested in several occasions by wheelchair users with upper limb disabilities.
Assistive Robotics in Robotics for Healthcare, Roadmap Study for the EC
Authors: Gelderblom Gert Jan  , De Wilt Monique  , Cremers Ger  , Rensma Arjan
Published: February 2025

To gain understanding in the current status of Robotics in healthcare the European Commission issued a roadmap study into this domain. This paper reports on the main characteristics and results of this study. The study covered the wide domain of Healthcare and in this paper the domains relevant for Assistive Technology are highlighted. The study ultimately resulted in a range of required or foreseen developments foreseen in six areas of Healthcare Robotics regarding societal needs, innovations and technology. These developments were positioned along a timescale running till 2025. This study will guide the policy development regarding Robotics for Healthcare of the 7thand 8thframework of the EC.
Controlling Domotic Appliances via a “Dynamical” P300-based Brain Computer Interface
Authors: Aloise F.  , Ferriero D.  , Ruiu A.  , Santucci G.  , Catarci T.  , Mattia D.  , Babiloni F.  , Cincotti F.
Published: February 2025

The brain computer interface (BCI) technology allows a direct connection between brain and computer without any muscular activity required, and thus it offers a unique opportunity to enhance and/or to restore communication and actions into external word in people with severe motor disability. The P300 potentials recorded from the scalp represent a suitable BCI signal control for applications like environmental control. Here we present a set of findings that confirm the feasibility of a real domotic environmental control operated via P300-based BCI. Furthermore, the relevant issue of a low bit rate of command execution is addressed by the implementation of a dynamical BCI interface whose upgrade is based on a continuous real-time collection of information from the environment.
Visualization of Personal Memory for Cognitive Support
Authors: Kremecek Martin  , Geven Arjan  , Tscheligi Manfred
Published: February 2025

This paper presents an interface to support the visual browsing and searching of extended episodic memory aimed at assisting people in retrieving memory events. The application relies on efficient and effective capturing of information based on a system that records not only the important moments, but also a set of contextual retrieval cues that can be helpful in later retrieving such moments, as effective capturing has to deal with ways to later also effectively being able to retrieve this information.
A Proposal for User Needs' Extractive Methodology in Development of Assistive Technology
Authors: Tsukada Atsushi  , Nishii Takashi  , Inoue Takenobu  , Ogawa Koichi
Published: February 2025

Although many assistive technologies have been developed, users in Japan often do not use such developed devices. One reason is that gaps exist between user needs and engineers' design concepts. Therefore, a methodology based on user-centered design is indispensable for developing assistive technologies. This study proposes a framework for development by collaboration with users, including a group interview method of qualitative research. An original point in this study was to have a group containing users with different disabilities in order to make the variety of users, needs, and their background factors tangible. A group interview of powered-wheelchair users was held, and remarks from users were categorized as “needs,” “situations,” and “suppositions.” To analyze the relationship among these categories, a structural diagram from graph theory was applied. This methodology demonstrated that a variety of users with different needs and disabilities could be grasped systematically and visually.
A Model of Peer to Peer Multi-Agent Information System to Support the Impaired Users Mobility
Authors: Aversa Iolanda  , Bellini Emanuele
Published: February 2025

In this paper we will analyze the state of the art of mobility services for impaired people in the Emilia Romagna region from three main point of view: the city, the operator and the user perspective. We will outline the problems related to on demand mobility service and we will propose a model of multi agent information system for supporting this demand.
Benefits of an On-Line Library of Electronic Assistive Technology on AT Services in Ireland
Authors: Beck Rebecca
Published: February 2025

www.try-it.ie is a multiagency, non-disability specific on-line library of electronic assistive technology (EAT). A consortium of five organisations in the disability sector applied for and was awarded funding on a two-year pilot basis (2007-2009) for an innovative project to address, at least in part, the deficiencies in AT service provision and support in Ireland. The objectives of this initiative are to:
AAC and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Literature Review and Aspects of Quality of Life and Service Delivery
Authors: Trioschi Devis  , Bitelli Claudio  , Hoogerwerf Evert-Jan  , Tanzini Daniela
Published: February 2025

Can alternative communication devices impact on the quality of life of people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? Without pretending to be exhaustive, this paper aims to answer that question through a literature review and a case report. Aspects of service delivery are highlighted and discussed.
Development of Assistive Functions for Joysticks of Electric Wheelchairs
Authors: Omori Kiyohiro  , Sugimoto Yoshimi  , Maeda Satoru  , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes new assistive functions for the joystick of electric wheelchairs in order to reduce some difficulties in the early stage of training. The functions are implemented as three modes, and each mode restricts driving duration or directions of the electric wheelchair. These functions prevent the wheelchair from running out of control, and ensure the safety of the user. Three children who have multiple disabilities without any experience of driving an electric wheelchair were asked to drive the electric wheelchair at their schools. As a result, the assistive functions are effective to the improvement of driving abilities. Additionally, it is found that the electric wheelchair is useful for the teachers because the restriction of driving duration enables to drive it at narrow space. Furthermore, the results give suggestions that the electric wheelchair is available as educational aids of sensory integrations of multiple disabled children.
Visual Tools to Select a Layout for an Adapted Living Area
Authors: Aupetit Sébastien  , Puret Arnaud  , Gaucher Pierre  , Monmarché Nicolas  , Slimane Mohamed
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we present several visual tools used in the HM2PH project in order to include the future occupant in the design of her/his adapted house. The common goal is help the occupant to choose between a set of topological layouts. Each tool presents different characteristics and properties.
Support in Everyday Activities with a Home-based Electronic Memory Aid for Persons with Memory Impairments
Authors: Boman Inga-Lill  , Bartfai Aniko
Published: February 2025

In previous studies we have found that a set of electronic memory aids in a training apartment in a hospital and in two prototype apartments could help persons with memory impairments after acquired brain injury to carry out everyday activities. In this study we have examined the possibilities of a newly developed electronic memory aid with a wireless design and individually spoken reminders as support to carry out everyday activities in the participant's own home. A multiple baseline AB design was used. Five participants with memory impairments after acquired brain injury got reminders for three activities each that they usually forget to carry out during B phase. There were automatic computer registrations of completed activities during the A and the B phase. Assessments of functioning and quality of life were conducted before and after the intervention and at follow-up after 2 months. Four participants improved in completing most of the self-chosen activities when the electronic memory aid was used. Performance and satisfaction with performance and quality of life improved, but there was no memory function improvement. The participants wanted to keep the electronic memory aids after the intervention, even if there were problems with the technology during the intervention. The current flexible wireless design with individually adjusted sensors and reminders proved to be useful. The results indicate that it is important to put high demands on the technical reliability of electronic memory aids. The reliability of the electronic memory aid should first be tested by people without disabilities in multiple home environments, taking into account the complexity of real-world behaviour that is often missing in laboratory environments. There is also a need to increase collaboration with engineers to develop appropriate electronic memory aids that can bridge the gap between the user's expectations and desires and the user's abilities and disabilities.
Design and Outcome Measures in Trials of Assistive Technologies for People with Dementia: Methodological and Ethical Challenges
Authors: Hagen Inger  , Cahill Suzanne
Published: February 2025

The aim of this paper is to raise awareness about methodological challenges and pitfalls in designing trials of assistive technologies for people with dementia. The need for common ethical guidelines for such trials is emphasised.
Development and Reliability Testing of the Nordic Housing Enabler – An Instrument for Accessibility Assessment of the Physical Housing
Authors: Helle Tina  , Brandt Åse
Published: February 2025

For decades, accessibility to the physical housing environment for people with functional limitations has been of interest politically, professionally and for the users. Guidelines and norms on accessible housing design have gradually been developed, however, the built environment shows serious deficits when it comes to accessibility. This study addresses development of a content valid cross-Nordic version of the Housing Enabler and investigation of inter-rater reliability, when used in occupational therapy practice. The instrument was translated from the original Swedish version and adapted according to accessibility norms and guidelines for housing design in Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland. This iterative process involved occupational therapists, architects, building engineers and professional translators, resulting in the Nordic Housing Enabler. For reliability testing, the sample strategy and data collection procedures were the same in all countries. In total, twenty voluntary occupational therapists collected data from 106 cases by means of the Nordic Housing Enabler. Inter-rater reliability was calculated by means of percentage agreement and kappa statistics. Overall good percentage agreement for all parts of the instrument was shown, indicating that the Nordic Housing Enabler is sufficiently reliable for application in practice and research in the Nordic context. The kappa results varied and possible explanations are discussed, which should be kept in mind when interpreting the results.
Analysis of Ground Reaction Forces in Walker Assisted Gait
Authors: Frizera Anselmo  , Abellanas Andrés  , Ceres Ramón  , Pons José Luis
Published: February 2025

The walkers are very popular assistive devices. Nevertheless, the modifications in gait patterns derived by the use of such devices are not clearly described in the literature. Some works performed studies regarding the ground reaction forces (GRF) in walker assisted gait. Modifications on the ground reaction forces were observed but no measurement was taken in order to experimentally validate and quantify the assumptions that justify such modifications – gait speed and gait posture. In this context, one step further is taken in this work by performing a study with two complementary measurement systems in order to obtain kinematic and dynamic parameters during gait experiments with and without walker.
Evaluation of Body Vibrations During Manual Wheelchair Running Over Sidewalk Surfaces and Curbs
Authors: Hashizume Tsutomu  , Kitagawa Hiroshi  , Takami Masatoshi  , Yoneda Ikuo  , Kamata Minoru  , Fujisawa Shoichiro  , Sueda Osamu
Published: February 2025

Wheelchair users are always exposed to the body vibrations in daily life caused by various road conditions. Some extended exposure to such vibrations may cause secondary disorders for the wheelchair users. It is important issue to reduce the vibrations of the wheelchair users and also to improve the walking environments. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the body vibration as a measure of the physical strain for wheelchair users when the manual wheelchair is running over sidewalk and curb. The subjects were asked to drive the wheelchair over the sidewalk surfaces and curbs at the experimental model course, while body vibrations were measured at the seat of wheelchair. It was clarified quantitatively that the sidewalk surface and curb design have a significant influence on the body vibration, and we should pay attentions to reduce such a risk.
A New Evaluation Approach for Sign Language Machine Translation
Authors: Almohimeed Abdulaziz  , Wald Mike  , Damper Robert
Published: February 2025

Sign language machine translation (SLMT) aims to convert text to signs automatically for the benefit of deaf people. This paper proposes a new evaluation approach for SLMT. It aims to achieve good correlation between automatically-generated scores and human judgements of translation accuracy. An Arabic Sign Language (ArSL) corpus has been collected and used for evaluation experiments, which show the superiority of the proposed measure over others considered.
Managing the Process of Design-for-all
Authors: Bühler Christian
Published: February 2025

The Design-for-all concept is available for a notable period of time, but the market penetration is still limited. Design-for-all is accepted as a good idea on a general level, but it often fails to step over into the strategies and design considerations leading to products and services. Obviously, a goal oriented management is required from the conceptualisation of Design-for-all to its implementation in products and services in different areas. Recent policy strategies combine voluntary and mandatory actions, with legislation, standardisation, support actions, monitoring procedures, and research. Companies have recognised the demographic shift and the public request for services for all citizens. They have started to react with strategies, creation of structures and implementations for accessibility. Design-for-all widens the scope from disability orientation to better products and services for all.
CMF
Authors: Leonidis Asterios  , Korozi Maria  , Margetis George  , Stephanidis Constantine
Published: February 2025

CMF4ALL introduces a new approach to designing and developing Content Management Systems for All, by eliminating the requirement for UI design for all experts in order to implement accessible dynamic web sites.
Designing Reasonable Accommodation of the Workplace: a New Methodology Based on Risk Assessment
Authors: Pigini Lucia  , Andrich Renzo  , Liverani Giacomo  , Bucciarelli Paola  , Occhipinti Enrico
Published: February 2025

If working tasks are carried out in inadequate conditions, workers with functional limitations may, over time, risk developing further disabilities. While several validated risk assessment methods exist for able-bodied workers, few studies have been carried out for workers with disabilities. This paper, which reports the findings of a Study funded by the Italian Ministry of Labor, describes a general methodology for the technical and organizational re-design of a worksite, based on risk assessment and irrespective of any worker disability. To this end, a sample of 16 workers, composed of people with mild and severe motor disabilities, was recruited. By using a mix of risk assessment methods and the ICF taxonomy, the worksite was re-designed for each individual worker in the study, and a prospective evaluation was carried out to check whether the new design would eliminate the risks.
User Perspective on Assistive Technology. A Qualitative Analysis of 55 Letters from Citizens Applying for Assistive Technology
Authors: Jensen Lilly
Published: February 2025

This study focuses on user perspectives on assistive technology and is aimed at achieving a deeper knowledge of and establishing core elements related to user perspectives. Naturally occurring data in the form of 55 letters from 33 Danish citizens applying for assistive technology were analyzed using deductive content analysis and an inductive thematic analysis. The study took a constructionist position and had a phenomenological approach. The findings of the study establish the following as core aspects of user perspectives on assistive devices: quality of life, realization of personal goals, keeping up roles, positive self image, personal dignity, independence, activities and participation, self-care and security, lack of access in surroundings, professional domination of assistive device area, cultural stigma of negative symbolic value, and cumbersome standardized devices. Five main categories emerged from the thematic analysis: 1) Obstructions for keeping up daily living. 2) Objectives of life 3) Occupation of daily living 4) Mastering and managing and 5) Assistive technology. ‘Mastering and managing’ was found to be the central aspect and an interactive model for user perspectives on assistive technology was developed. The findings suggest that assistive technology, according to users' perspectives, seems to enhance their mastering and managing abilities so that they can fulfill their objectives of life through adequate occupations. The findings furthermore accentuated that inaccessible surroundings both physical and socio-cultural as well as poor design of the devices seemed to influence user perspectives negatively. Poor service delivery also seems to influence user perspectives negatively. The findings also shed light on the importance of the socio-psychological and spiritual factors, which seemed to be included in user perspectives on assistive technology. The study reveals the knowledge gap regarding user perspectives on assistive technology and clearly indicates that more research is needed in this area.
Music as an Enabler for Social Inclusion and Provision – The UMSIC Approach
Authors: Fredrikson Maija  , Welch Graham  , Porras Jari  , Paananen Pirkko  , Read Janet C  , Elmer Stefanie Stadler  , Heikkinen Kari  , Myllykoski Mikko  , Hedberg Henrik  , Iivari Netta  , Mazzano Emanuela
Published: February 2025

This paper describes the motivation for, and the design of, a mobile device for music making for children that aims to improve inclusion and reduce isolation in groups of children, and especially where some children have attention deficiencies or whose language is different from that of the host country. The paper begins with a summary of the literature that places the research in context, briefly describes the approaches taken by the research team to design the technology, and then outlines the key features of the proposed solution. Finally, the paper outlines some of the challenges that the team expects to face, both from an R and D perspective and also from the point of view of evaluating the impact of the solution, before outlining where the project aims to go next.
Inclusive Education and ICT: Reflecting on Tools and Methods
Authors: Ott Michela  , Pozzi Francesca
Published: February 2025

This paper looks at the issue of e-inclusion in the field of school education. It aims at shedding light on the potential that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) offers to avoid any kind of discrimination between students. The basic idea underpinning the paper is that the process of school inclusion can be fostered by means of new technological tools only if, in parallel, educational approaches, methods and strategies are conveniently revised and improved. Taking the viewpoint of both educational tools and methods, the paper addresses the key issues of the “accessibility” of educational tools and of the “new competences” required by teachers. In order to build up a genuinely inclusive classroom on the one hand it is necessary for mainstream educational tools (including the ICT-based ones) to be barrier-free and fully accessible to all students, and, on the other, for teachers to have the competences to carefully select e-tools and plan/make a good use of them.
Modeling Visitor-Exhibit Interaction at Dynamic Zoo and Aquarium Exhibits for Developing Real-Time Interpretation
Authors: Bruce Carrie M.  , Walker Bruce N.
Published: February 2025

Zoos and aquaria are dynamic informal learning environments that require constant sensory (often visual) access, and are thus often inaccessible to visitors with vision impairments. There remain few guidelines for designing accessible dynamic exhibits. We present a model of mediated visitor-exhibit interaction that begins to address this class of environments. We discuss plans to operationalize and validate the model that should lead to specific design guidelines.
Designing a Location Based Service for Visually Impaired People: MWA Guide
Authors: Biader Ceipidor Ugo  , Ingrosso Andrea  , Marchi Edmondo  , Medaglia Carlo Maria  , Sciarretta Eliseo
Published: February 2025

Mobile Wireless Accessibility is a project designed by IBM Italy, together with Cisco and Nokia. In this paper, the authors describe involvement of CATTID (research Centre for the Applications of Television and Distance Learning Techniques) in the project, which consists in the several steps that lead at the creation of a location based service (LBS) specifically for visually impaired people. First, the authors speak about the advantages for impaired people in using mobile devices and about the state of the art of these devices. After a brief introduction of the MWA platform, the authors report on the development process of MWA Guide, explaining the features created, the technical solutions adopted and the interface designed. Finally a vision of the main problems retrieved in the first version of the application is shown, together with possible solutions to implement in future development.
A Macro Economic Cost-Benefit Model for the Assessment of Assistive Technology Future Development
Authors: D'Amico Antonio Maria  , Corazza Uliana  , Rutkauskaite Dovile
Published: February 2025

This paper aims to define a model for analysis in the field of Assistive Technologies (AT) addressing the issues of user impact and of cost-benefit analysis to support future development of AT based on a socio-economic approach. The paper intends to contribute to the discussion on the paradigm “Users satisfactions and market opportunities” as two central axes for the future development of AT in Europe. The paper will present an analytical and methodological framework based on the key indicators deriving from our methodology for cost–benefit analysis, already tested in several ICT areas. The overall paper will produce a clear picture, based on data gained through enquiries including document research, interviews with a range of key players, citizens and business representatives, local councillors and leaders of local government, NGO and the third sector, regional and national politicians and their advisors. The final considerations will present the results in terms of the cost-benefit opportunity as well as in terms of business and sustainability model for investments in this determinate market. The framework that the paper intends to develop will be informative, flexible and usable in different contexts and environments; it will be based on the state-of-the-art and it will include innovative aspects, which will allow to thoroughly assess the impact and benefits of AT developments.
Design for All for eInclusion
Authors: Emiliani Pier Luigi  , Burzagli Laura  , Gabbanini Francesco  , Bühler Christian  , Klironomos Iosif  , Aalykke Soren  , Schmidt-Belz Barbara  , Knops Harry  , Reichrath Enid  , Whitney Gill
Published: February 2025

Design for All (DfA) refers to the design of mainstream products and services to be accessible by as broad a range of users as possible, including older people and people with disabilities. The coordination action ‘DfA@eInclusion’ contributes towards e-Inclusion through fostering Design for All. It extends and enhances previous efforts targeted to the creation of a sound theoretical framework for universal design of ICT.
Accessible 3D Game for Visually Impaired Students
Authors: Sik Lányi Cecília  , Ódor József  , Szente Attila
Published: February 2025

We developed an accessible VR game for visually impaired players The visual impaired version has different textures and colours. The game was tested in a special school for visual impaired students.
Image Tool for AAC Materials
Authors: Kyyhkynen Kimmo  , Ylätupa Maija  , Ohtonen Marianna
Published: February 2025

The Papunet Image Tool is a free internet-based application for making printable AAC material. It is aimed at AAC professionals, families and other people who make communication boards with pictures or other symbols or signs.
Disability and AT-ICT in Italy, France and Holland
Authors: Davalli Angelo  , Castegnaro Claudio  , Rossi Luigi
Published: February 2025

A comparative research about diffusion of aids and assistive technologies in 3 European countries.
Pedestrian Behaviour Monitoring: Methods and Experiences
Authors: Millonig Alexandra  , Brändle Norbert  , Ray Markus  , Bauer Dietmar  , van der Spek Stefan
Published: February 2025

The investigation of pedestrian spatio-temporal behaviour is of particular interest in many different research fields. Disciplines like travel behaviour research and tourism research, social sciences, artificial intelligence, geoinformation and many others have approached this subject from different perspectives. Depending on the particular research questions, various methods of data collection and analysis have been developed and applied in order to gain insight into specific aspects of human motion behaviour and the determinants influencing spatial activities. In this contribution, we provide a general overview about most commonly used methods for monitoring and analysing human spatio-temporal behaviour. After discussing frequently used empirical methods of data collection and emphasising related advantages and limitations, we present seven case studies concerning the collection and analysis of human motion behaviour following different purposes.
Interpretation of Behaviours from a Viewpoint of Topology
Authors: Kurata Yohei  , Egenhofer Max J.
Published: February 2025

Behavioural monitoring often concerns the interpretation of the motion of an agent with respect to an area of interest. Geometrically, the trajectory of the agent is represented by a directed line segment (DLine) around/over a region. Topological relations between a DLine and a region concern how the DLine intersect with the region and, therefore, these relations are useful for characterizing the motion in association with an area of interest. In this chapter, we introduce a formal model of topological DLine-region relations and the application of these relations for the characterization of motions. We start from a model of topological relations between a non-directed line and a region, called the 9-intersection, reviewing how these line-region relations are associated with spatial predicates. Then, we introduce the 9+-intersection, which distinguishes 26 topological DLine-region relations in, with which we explore several approaches to associating motions with the model of human motion concepts. Finally, we introduce two future research questions: (i) simplification of complex trajectories by segmentation and (ii) mapping between non-planar motion concepts and topological DLine-region relations in.
An AI-Planning based Service Composition Architecture for Ambient Intelligence
Authors: Marquardt Florian  , Uhrmacher Adelinde M.
Published: February 2025

Ambient Intelligence (AmI) is characterized by dynamic ensembles of devices that offer individual services to the user in an unobtrusive manner. For more advanced services often the cooperation of devices is required which can be accomplished by automatic composition of services. AI planning is one possibility to realize service composition. We introduce an architecture containing a service composer that uses AI planning to compose services in AmI environments. The composer can be seen as an enhanced meta planner that uses service technologies. It makes use of three strategies for selecting planners and a heuristic to cancel planners. This design is based on extensive experimental evaluation in which we analyzed the behavior of planners. The overall goal of the design is to balance between runtime of planning processes, used resources, and erroneously not returned planning results.
Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Systems for Context Aware Offices
Authors: Quintero M. Christian G.  , Eljaik G. Jorhabib
Published: February 2025

Our proposal is aimed at achieving a reliable control architecture for intelligent environments. This approach is implemented in a professor's simulated office. To that end, adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy training of Sugeno-type fuzzy inference systems are used. Experimental results and conclusions are shown, stressing the relevance of this approach inspired by the ambient intelligence metaphor in the adaptation of the environment to the professor's physical and emotional conditions.
A Model for the Cooperation between Robots and Smart Environments
Authors: Mastrogiovanni Fulvio  , Sgorbissa Antonio  , Zaccaria Renato
Published: February 2025

This paper introduces an architecture that allows service robots to cooperate with smart environments to fulfill user assigned global tasks, e.g., the transport of various kinds of material in human populated environments, such as hospitals. Specifically, knowledge representation strategies are introduced, which allow to model the coordination between service robots and intelligent appliances. An example of the described methodology is reported.
Why We Need a User Interface Resource Server for Intelligent Environments
Authors: Zimmermann Gottfried  , Wassermann Benjamin
Published: February 2025

For intelligent environments to become broadly adopted, they need to employ advanced user interface technologies. Such user interfaces have to provide support for personalization, accessibility, context-awareness, openness for 3rd-party contributions, agent-based user interfaces and management of user interfaces. In this paper, we introduce the concept of a user interface resource server, and how it supports each of these requirements. We describe related existing systems and how far they go in meeting these requirements, including the global resource server provided by dot UI. Finally, we identify future work.
Feeling Market System: A Rational Support for the Trader
Authors: Martínez Javier  , Prada M. Esther  , Seepold Ralf  , Madrid Natividad Martínez
Published: February 2025

In times of stress it is usual to make decisions in an irrational way, this paper aims to develop a system to increase the real reliability of the decisions made by a stock trader. The excessive pressure that these market professionals are subject to, sometimes implies a loss of perspective of the real situations that they are constantly facing. Consequently, many operations are decided from a disability state which should be designated as panic or euphoria. To reduce this only influence that sometimes governs a specific operational, it is intended to connect a series of sensors that measure the activity of different traders. This information will be used, first, as an indicative staff about the momentary capacity to make decisions. Moreover, biometric data will be sent to a central computer, which will provide a ‘market feeling’ of all the traders connected to the system in real time. In this way, and while the usual statistical studies of market sentiment have the problem of accuracy, the trader keeps an external reference based on biometric parameters measured in real time.
Moving Towards an Ethical Governance of New Emerging Technologies
Authors: Santuccio Alessia  , Marabelli Marco  , Duquenoy Penny  , Goujon Philippe  , Lavelle Sylvain  , Patrignani Norberto
Published: February 2025

One of the main problems of a contemporary ethics of technology and of the institutional structures of democratic governance enabling it to be implemented is the lack of an adequate ethics of collective action. More precisely there is a need for a ethics of co-responsibility – as opposed to an ethics of the individual role responsibility - in the field of scientific and technical innovation. Responsibility is not the only ethical stake of a democratic governance of technology, but it is certainly a pivotal concept of contemporary ethics. Furthermore, it opens up over a wide range of reflections and conditions for an ethical governance of technology to be successfully implemented. An ethics of collective co-responsibility requires four significant conceptual shifts: (1) public debate; (2) technology assessment; (3) constitutional change; (4) foresight and knowledge assessment. The EGAIS project will scrutinize some technological projects in several fields in order to assess their options as well as their advancement in terms of public debate, constitutional change, technology and knowledge assessment. This analysis will take us to the definition of concrete guidelines for embedding ethical consideration in projects with technical development.
An Object Memory Modeling Approach for Product Life Cycle Applications
Authors: Neidig Joerg  , Stephan Peter
Published: February 2025

Today, industrial production and supply chains are facing increased demands regarding flexibility and transparency of processes, caused by a trend for mass-customization and increasingly tighter regulations for the traceability of goods. To fulfill such challenging market demands, auto-ID technologies and semantic product descriptions are becoming part of future value chains. In this paper a modelling approach for a digital object memory (DOM) allowing for the attachment of product life cycle (PLC) information to everyday objects is presented. After reporting on the design aims, memory architecture and data structure, potential benefits of the chosen approach are presented.
Understanding Ethical Issues of Emerging AmI Technologies in Europe (A Framework)
Authors: Stahl Bernd C.  , Rogerson Simon  , Wakunuma Kutoma J.
Published: February 2025

Ambient Intelligence (AmI) is an information technology approach that is interactive, sensitive and responsive to a user's environment. Emerging AmI technologies are intended to be intelligent and intuitive to a user's needs and therefore embedded into a user's everyday life without so much as being obtrusive. However, with any emergent technology such as AmI, ethical concerns arise. It would be desirable to have a better understanding of future technological developments, and in this case, AmI technological developments in order to allow ethical considerations to influence design and implementations of the technologies. However, the unavoidable contingency of future developments provides a fundamental limit to what we can know about the future. With this, this paper attempts to explore how this problem can be addressed by providing a framework of technical developments which include AmI technology developments that one can reasonably expect to materialise in the medium term future of 10 to 15 years and ethical issues that are currently expected to arise within the European Union (EU). This is done by analysing current European research funding documents with a view to exploring the trends, purposes, applications, artefacts, ethical issues, and governance structures that the European Commission foresees. The overall aim of the paper is to provide the conceptual basis of this framework.
Storytelling Memories: A Tangible Connection to Bomber Command Veterans
Authors: Marriott Tanya
Published: February 2025

This paper reports the development of the Storytelling Memories project that formulates an interactive platform of memory immersion and experience within a museum environment. Specifically focusing on the memories of Bomber Command veterans the project utilises a touch sensitive surface as an interface between the viewer and the memories. A physical controller, when placed near the interface surface will “unlock” contained memories, enabling an open-ended storytelling experience. The design encourages the user to interact directly with the memories to create their own dialogue, with the intention of developing a more emotive, personal connection to the Veteran.
Querying Sensor Data for Semantic Product Memories
Authors: Seitz Christian  , Legat Christoph  , Neidig Jörg
Published: February 2025

Today, RFID is used to identify a wide range of work pieces or individual products for tracking their movements through the logistics chain. For future purposes the idea of storing only a single ID must be extended to a Semantic Product Memory. This memory stores data of the complete product life cycle. This paper introduces a middleware for accumulating semantic product memories with sensor data. Our contribution encompasses software modules for a uniform sensor access, a sensor data ontology and a query interface for semantic product memory applications.
Imparting Digital Memory Content Through Game Form
Authors: Lau Candice
Published: February 2025

Taking on the role as an advocate for maintaining memories of displacement and migration for the Estonians, ‘Our New Home’, the Estonian Exhibition in 2007 and 2008 at the Powerhouse Museum of Design and Technology in Sydney, explored the narrative of the journey traversed by these individuals through a series of videos and a collection of artifacts. The objective of this paper is to present a concept of a follow-up exhibition. The focus will be the use of a single object from the Estonian community as a physical interface to open up digital content within a museum space that is augmented by technology. This concept aims to create a more experiential exhibition through visitors' participation.
Scheduling for Numerical Linear Algebra Library at Scale
Authors: Kurzak Jakub  , Ltaief Hatem  , Dongarra Jack J.  , Badia Rosa M.
Published: February 2025

State-of-the-art dense linear algebra software, such as the LAPACK and ScaLAPACK libraries, suffer performance losses on multicore processors due to their inability to fully exploit thread-level parallelism. At the same time the coarse-grain dataflow model gains popularity as a paradigm for programming multicore architectures. This work looks at implementing classic dense linear algebra workloads, Cholesky factorization and QR factorization, using dynamic data-driven execution. Two emerging approaches to implementing coarse-grain dataflow are examined, the model of nested parallelism, represented by the Cilk framework, and the model of parallelism expressed through an arbitrary Direct Acyclic Graph, represented by the SMP Superscalar framework. Performance and coding effort are analyzed and compared agains code manually parallelized at the thread level.