Tutorials Programme

The Tutorials and Workshops Final Programme is now available. Click here.

 

This edition of our event will include a number of tutorials co-located with our Workshops programme, each designed to introduce an important cutting-edge theme to people developing their interest in that area, delivered by experts on the following important relevant topics:

  • "Designing Data Visualisations for Intelligent Environments: A Human Factors Primer" by Prof. B.L William Wong (Middlesex University, U.K)
  • "Prototyping IoT-based Applications for Ubiquitous Smart Environments and Healthcare" by Dr. Jeanette Chin & Dr. Alin Tisin (Anglia Ruskin University, U.K)
  • "The Emergence of Affective and Physiological Computing in Ambient User Centred Systems" by Dr. Faiyaz Doctor (Coventry University, U.K)
  • "End-to-End Security for the IoT" by Dr. James Dooley (Andium Ltd, U.K)
  • "Intelligent automation - Smart Manufacturing" by Dr. Raphael Grech (Manufacturing Technology Centre, U.K)
  • "Design and Research for the Advanced Human Augmentation" by Dr. Tiina Kymäläinen (VTT, Finland)

 

Designing Data Visualisations for Intelligent Environments: A Human Factors Primer

Duration: 2 hours

Abstract

An Intelligent Environment is an example of a complex system, “… in which the actions of numerous networked controllers … are orchestrated by self-programming pre-emptive processes … in such a way as to create an interactive holistic functionality that enhances occupants experiences.” (Augusto , 2013). Visualisation of the information produced by the systems is needed by an operator to control the systems and use the environment. Poor visualisations can lead the human operator to poor performance and errors.

The purpose of this tutorial is to provide (i) a framework for considering how visualisations should be designed so that they are optimised for human sense-making, (ii) a discussion of the key human factors principles that affect visualisation design.

Topics will include:

  • Representation Design, for controlling complex systems, black boxes, human factors concepts and principles
  • Cognitive considerations in sense-making, situation awareness, decision making, and task-display compatibility
  • Applying the principles through a design critique. In view of the time constraints, participants will learn how to apply the concepts and principles by evaluating a concrete design example, and discuss how well the human factors concepts and principles have been implemented.

Instructor

Dr B.L. William Wong is Professor of Human-Computer Interaction and Head, Interaction Design Centre, at Middlesex University London. His research interest is in the representation design of information to support sense making, situation awareness, and decision-making in complex dynamic environments such as air traffic control, hydro-electricity power control, emergency ambulance command and control, intelligence analysis, and visual analytics. He is recipient of over US$25.3 million in grants, and has been project coordinator for several US-UK and European Union multi-institution R&D project consortiums, such as VALCRI – an 18-organisation EU FP7 funded project. Together with his students and colleagues, he has published over 100 scientific peer reviewed articles.

References

Juan C Augusto , Vic Callaghan, Diane Cook, Achilles Kameas, Ichiro Satoh (2013). "Intelligent Environments: a manifesto". Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences, December 2013, 3:12

Prototyping IoT-based Applications for Ubiquitous Smart Environments and Healthcare

Duration: 2 hours

Abstract

In this tutorial, key Internet of Things (IoT) concepts will be explored and current industry trend, open technologies and standards that support pervasive IoT applications will be investigated. The tutorial will focus on smart environments and healthcare from a more technical perspective (rather than business models), highlighting the challenges, which include technical, computational, resource usage and sharing, scalability, security, personalisation and privacy. Few examples of such applications based on our current on-going projects will be presented.

Target Audience

Researchers and practitioners from industry and government, developers, UG and PG students, and university staff.

Instructors

Dr Jeannette Chin

Dr Alin Tisan

The Emergence of Affective and Physiological Computing in Ambient User Centred Systems

Duration: 2 hours

Abstract

The vision of AmI systems has been supported by computational and electronic advances and more specifically the deployment of sensors, pervasive and ubiquitous computing, and artificial intelligence. The development of Ambient Intelligent systems calls for the cooperation of different disciplines such as artificial intelligence and ubiquitous computing. Moreover AmI systems have to satisfy a number of key features. According to Cook et al.'s research AmI systems have to be transparent, ubiquitous, and intelligent, at their base. Transparency refers to the integration of the systems and networks into everyday objects, so that they operate in an un-obtrusive way to the user. Ubiquity stems from the wealth of applications that AmI can be applied to, and intelligence refers to the decision making process that the system employs in order to satisfy the user's needs. Moreover in order for AmI systems to aid interaction between humans and their environment they need to be sensitive, responsive, and adaptive. These features are highly dependable upon the context of application of the AmI system. For example sensitivity employs sensors that are able to understand human presence, and detect context specific features. Responsiveness highlights the ability to respond to human needs, and make desirable changes in the environment. And finally adaptability is the ability to process and analyze data (extracted from the user, the environment or other sources) in order to make decisions and generate responses that will benefit the user.

Affective Computing (AC) is an immerging discipline aiming towards the realization of the Ambient Intelligence vision through the incorporation of emotion in human machine interaction. AC can be used in interesting and novel ambient intelligence systems for recognizing, modelling and eliciting affect information, in order to better understand the intentions, and satisfy the needs of modern users. Incorporating emotion in the design of AmI systems will enable the environment to perform the necessary changes in order to meet individual needs and preferences, and produce responses which influence the users' in more effective, intelligent and personalized ways.

In this tutorial we provide a review study aiming to offer an insight in affective computing by exploring all key aspects relating to the development of an effective system, and by identifying open questions and future research directions for this scientific area.

Instructors

Dr. Faiyaz Doctor

End-to-End Security for the IoT

Duration: 2 hours

Abstract

In this tutorial, we will examine what is needed to secure an IoT infrastructure that is composed of embedded systems, routers and cloud services. The challenges of end-to-end security in this field go far beyond encryption and include the use of asymmetric keys, identity, authentication and access control.

Instructor

Dr. James Dooley (Andrium Inc.)

Intelligent Automation - Smart Manufacturing

Duration: 2 hours

Abstract

One of the main challenges with existing manufacturing processes is that they are designed for high volume streamlined products. Existing processes and machinery are unsuitable for handling small batches or bespoke designs due to the time and effort required in tool changeover, complexity in parts handling, logistics flow and the amount of human interaction required.

This tutorial will to look at how intelligent and adaptable automation systems can be developed for advanced manufacturing processes requiring human robot interaction within a safe dynamic environment and how they can be integrated and run alongside existing work practices.

We will look at current and coming technologies on human robot interaction, existing safety standards and where we need to be in order to have a safe and practical human robot collaboration. Advanced robotic manipulators and intelligent sensing technologies would provide increased flexibility to a manufacturing systems, giving them the ability to think and act autonomously in a safe manner.

Instructor

Dr. Raphael Grech

Design and Research for Advanced Human Augmentation

Duration: 2 hours

Abstract

The concept of Augmented Human (AH) builds upon earlier technological visions like ubiquitous computing, wearable computing, augmented reality, autonomous systems and ambient intelligence. These all are various viewpoints to the larger issue of novel human-technology interfaces. The Augmented Human concept takes a human-centric viewpoint with an aim to utilize the existing and envisioned technologies for meaningful human-defined purposes and augmenting humans in appropriate ways.

Many emerging technologies have potential to enhance and augment human life remarkably, but they also require new human-technology interaction solutions. To make the visions a reality, in the short term, wearable and embedded technologies can act as mediators for augmented human sensing and actions, aiming to, e.g., compensate for degraded senses or increase awareness of nearby possibilities. In the long term, direct brain-computer interfaces and autonomous technology may allow augmenting human actions even more directly. The path is open even for organic extensions of what we are and what we are capable of – in all areas of life.

By Human Augmentation people may be empowered with new cognitive abilities and direct connection to global information and services with technology that serves as “external eyes and ears” for sensing the ubiquitous digital information. Augmented Human technologies can improve the quality of life for people with special needs, including the blind, the deaf, people with motor impairment and many others. Decline of senses experienced by elderly people, people with certain illness, and people harmed by accidents may be helped with new solutions that replace or improve deteriorated senses. By these technologies new possibilities for remote existence and new forms of human actions can also be achieved.

Instructor

Dr. Tiina Kymalainen