http://dl.gi.de/handle/20.500.12116/16710 2026-07-22T22:10:58Z 2026-07-22T22:10:58Z Pfeiffer, Thies Pfeiffer-Leßmann, Nadine http://dl.gi.de/handle/20.500.12116/16717 2018-08-11T08:25:43Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Virtual Prototyping of Mixed Reality Interfaces with Internet of Things (IoT) Connectivity Pfeiffer, Thies; Pfeiffer-Leßmann, Nadine One key aspect of the Internet of Things (IoT) is, that human machine interfaces are disentangled from the physicality of the devices. This provides designers with more freedom, but also may lead to more abstract interfaces, as they lack the natural context created by the presence of the machine. Mixed Reality (MR) on the other hand, is a key technology that enables designers to create user interfaces anywhere, either linked to a physical context (augmented reality, AR) or embedded in a virtual context (virtual reality, VR). Especially today, designing MR interfaces is a challenge, as there is not yet a common design language nor a set of standard functionalities or patterns. In addition to that, neither customers nor future users have substantial experiences in using MR interfaces. Prototypes can contribute to overcome this gap, as they continuously provide user experiences of increasing realism along the design process. We present ExProtoVAR, a tool that supports quick and lightweight prototyping of MR interfaces for IoT using VR technology.

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z Koch, Daniel Maaß, Susanne http://dl.gi.de/handle/20.500.12116/16716 2018-08-11T08:25:43Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Digital Probes Kit Koch, Daniel; Maaß, Susanne (Cultural) probes have been used in various software design projects and HCI contexts over the last years. With the ubiquity of smartphones today, there are new ways to design probes material as digital probes. Smartphones allow to document everyday life in situ in mobile contexts and provide a permanent channel for communication between researchers and participants. Based on an analysis of strengths and weaknesses of traditional probes, we propose a concept for a Digital Probes Kit in the form of a digital diary and describe its potential.

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z Berger, Arne Kurze, Albrecht Totzauer, Sören Storz, Michael Lefeuvre, Kevin Bischof, Andreas Freiermuth, Mira http://dl.gi.de/handle/20.500.12116/16715 2018-08-11T08:25:43Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Sensing Home: Designing an Open Tool That Lets People Collect and Interpret Simple Sensor Data from Their Homes Berger, Arne; Kurze, Albrecht; Totzauer, Sören; Storz, Michael; Lefeuvre, Kevin; Bischof, Andreas; Freiermuth, Mira The Internet of Things in the home is a design space with huge potential. With sensors getting smaller and cheaper, smart sensor equipped objects will become an integral, preinstalled part of the future home. With this article we will reflect on Sensing Home, a design tool to explore sensors in the home together with people. Sensing Home allows people to integrate sensors and connectivity into mundane domestic products in order to make them smart. As such, it can be used by people to experience and explore sensors in the home and daily life. They may explore possible use cases, appropriate sensor technology, and learn about this technology through use. At the same time people may also be empowered to understand the issues and implications of sensors in the home. We present the design rationale of Sensing Home, five usage examples of how Sensing Home allowed people to explore sensor technology, and the deployment of Sensing Home together with a self-developed group discussion method to empower people to understand the benefits and pitfalls of sensors in their home. The article ends with a brief reflection whether Sensing Home is a probe or a toolkit.

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z Maaß, Susanne Buchmüller, Sandra http://dl.gi.de/handle/20.500.12116/16713 2018-08-11T08:25:43Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

The Crucial Role of Cultural Probes in Participatory Design for and with Older Adults Maaß, Susanne; Buchmüller, Sandra Software systems meant to support older adults often are not well accepted as they do not meet the expectations and requirements of the target group. An involvement of older adults in system design seems imperative. The project ParTec investigated and evaluated techniques for participatory software development with regard to their suitability for communication and equal cooperation with older adults. With a group of 15 retirees we developed concepts for an online neighbourhood platform. Using various participatory techniques researchers and participants developed a deep common understanding of everyday life in early retirement, determined requirements and co-created design ideas and concepts. We will show that the use of cultural probes with subsequent qualitative interviews forms an ideal starting point and a strong fundament for a participatory design process with older adults.

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z