CHIRA 2020 Abstracts


Area 1 - Human Factors and Information Systems

Full Papers
Paper Nr: 5
Title:

Cognitive Control Modes and Mental Workload: An Experimental Approach

Authors:

Philippe Rauffet, Farida Said, Amine Laouar, Christine Chauvin and Marie-Christine Bressolle

Abstract: This study aims to examine the relationships between cognitive control modes and mental workload. It uses the Multi-Attribute Task Battery (MATB-II) microworld, which reproduced tasks carried out in an aircraft. Twenty participants performed a main task in different conditions defined by the level of complexity and the absence or presence of a secondary task. Two types of physiological data were considered as indicative of mental strain: cardiac activity and oxygenation and deoxygenation of the prefrontal cortex. Besides a classic relationship between mental stress and mental strain, this study draws attention to a relationship between the level of complexity and the control modes, which is highly significant for the tactical mode. Furthermore, this mode is associated with a significantly lower oxygen concentration than that found in the other modes, indicating lower mental strain. Hence, in this study, the tactical mode is found to be the most efficient one, since it is associated with a satisfying performance and with low mental strain. It is also the most impacted by task complexity. This finding should prompt an investigation of possible ways of supporting this mode in naturalistic situations.

Paper Nr: 9
Title:

Tactile Information Coding by Electro-tactile Feedback

Authors:

Peter Schmid, Mona Bader and Thomas Maier

Abstract: Touch user interfaces offer a wide range of interaction and manipulation possibilities. However, when interacting with this technology, the feedback is usually only provided via the visual or audio-visual channel of perception. Therefore, the study investigates how electro-tactile feedback can support the interaction with touch interfaces. The aim is to use electro-tactile feedback to transmit information during an adjustment task on a touch interface. For this purpose, five different types of electro-tactile feedback were investigated in a user study with 15 test persons. During the execution of a main task, a simple adjustment task had to be done in parallel on the electro-tactile touch interface. The electro-tactile feedback supports the execution of a main task and a secondary task, but the study also shows that by concentrating on the electro-tactile feedback the actuation time is extended.

Paper Nr: 28
Title:

Development of a Test Environment for the Evaluation of Human-Technology Interaction in Cockpits of Highly-Automated Vehicles

Authors:

Patrick Schnöll

Abstract: This paper presents a technologically independent framework to describe test environments suitable for the examination of the driver take-over task present in highly-automated vehicles. As part of a structural analysis, typical influencing factors and parameters defining the driver take-over task are discussed. According to literature, existing studies examining the driver take-over task make use of various test environments. However, the comparability of their results is not given without a detailed understanding of these. Hence, based on established literature, a technologically independent framework has been developed which can be used to describe the distinct test environments. It turned out, that the referenced models had to be partially restructured in order to be suitable for the description of such test environments. The focus of the present paper lies on their technical implementation characterized by stimulus materials, which have been holistically examined for the driver take-over task. Since stimulus materials provide the foundation of a specification of test environments, this work presents an initial step towards a test specification aiming on making results obtained from examinations of the driver take-over task comparable.

Short Papers
Paper Nr: 1
Title:

Comparing Creativity, User-experience and Communicability Linked to Digital Tools during the Fuzzy Phases of Innovation

Authors:

Mille Charles, Christmann Olivier, Fleury Sylvain and Richir Simon

Abstract: Innovation is defined by a range of activities having different goals but driven by the same purpose. For example, in the ending phases, the aim will be to put forward precise concepts, while upstream of innovation, the activities are defined by the will to investigate the subject and increase the area of knowledge and concepts helpful for the conception of new products. This study takes place in the latter contexts because these are the ones where tools are the most variable and de facto, the least normalised. Our aim was to study user experience felt by the usage of these tools as well as their impact on creativity and ideas’ communicability. To do this, we led an experimental study with 79 participants comparing four tools: pen & paper, Virtual-Reality (VR) drawing, VRCAD, and traditional CAD. Thanks to the UEQ (Laugwitz et al., 2008) and judges method of Cropley and Cropley (2008), we measured the user-exprience and the creativity. Then we compared the level of creativity, user-experience and communicability induced by each tool. The results reveal that the user experience arising from the tool influences the amount and the quality of the ideas. Moreover, we show that the fewer standardises interactions the tools have, the greater the communicability of ideas.

Paper Nr: 7
Title:

”We’re Doing This Together”: An in-Depth Analysis of the Teamwork between Train Traffic Controllers and Train Drivers

Authors:

Rebecca Cort

Abstract: Operational train traffic is executed by train drivers and traffic controllers operating as a tightly coupled team. Although separated in time and space, their work is intertwined to the degree that the realisation of the train traffic depends on successful coordination and collaboration between them. Prior rail research is mostly focused on either one of these two roles, which leaves the collaboration between them understudied. The controller-driver dyad is at the core of operational train traffic and their relationship is of major interest in creating and maintaining a safe and efficient train traffic system. With the use of observations and interviews, this study investigates and analyses the controller-driver dynamic, how they view each other and their collaboration. The findings highlight team spirit and trust within the relationship, and at the same time reveal an underlying relational distance that affects the relationship and their prerequisites for achieving a successful collaboration. Lack of insights into each other’s work and different priorities generate challenges, just as the implementation of new technology and its effects on information distribution. Findings are discussed in the context of obtaining a holistic perspective of operational train traffic, and the fundamental activities that lie at its core.

Paper Nr: 14
Title:

Smart City Development: Positioning Citizens in the Service Life Cycle (Citizens as Primary Customer)

Authors:

Priyanka Singh, Fiona Lynch and Markus Helfert

Abstract: There has been an enormous discussion around involving the citizens in smart city design and development. However most of the papers discussed citizen’s involvement and their feedback at the initial level of the service design where they intend to support citizen’s ideas with the help of methodologies, tools, templates, online platforms such e-participation, m-gov etc. Nevertheless, there are very few articles which discuss the impact of citizen’s feedback after the deployment of the services. With this systematic literature review we highlight that for the successful smart city development, there is a requirement to obtain citizen’s feedback not only during the initial stages of the service design and planning but also after the deployment of the services in order to recognize if their feedback really had any implication in the actual design process; and if the services are working as they were planned initially with the feedback of the citizens during the initial phases of the service design process.

Paper Nr: 16
Title:

Surveillance based Persuasion: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Authors:

Sanju Ahuja and Jyoti Kumar

Abstract: Surveillance-based persuasive technologies have become ubiquitous in the form of fitness trackers, advertisement engines, recommendation systems and birthday reminder applications. They are also being integrated into socio-economic systems such as insurance, health and education. In reported literature, surveillance has raised significant ethical concerns about privacy and persuasive intentions of technology have come under scrutiny for undermining human autonomy. This paper discusses the ethical implications of persuasive technologies from the perspective of human autonomy and freedom. It begins by acknowledging the reported and possible future advantages of surveillance-based persuasive technologies, with an emphasis on the conditions which make them beneficial (the good). It then discusses the ethical trade-offs involved and the problems with how those trade-offs are designed and implemented in technology (the bad). Lastly, the paper discusses severe ethical concerns which involve coercion or manipulation of users into being persuaded for economic or even paternalistic needs of the technology (the ugly). This paper has argued for designers and businesses to employ an ethical approach to persuasive technology design and has presented possible suggestions for such an approach. These suggestions can help design technologies in a manner more conducive to autonomous decision making and freedom of choice for the users.

Paper Nr: 21
Title:

Randomised Controlled Trial of the Usability of Major Search Engines (Google, Yahoo! and Bing) When using Ambiguous Search Queries

Authors:

Wynand Nel, Lizette de Wet and Robert Schall

Abstract: Performing digital searches, like searching the World Wide Web (WWW), is part of everyday life with the Internet being the primary source of information. The enormous size of the WWW led to the development of search engines, and many researchers use search engines to find specific information. Users generally prefer short queries, potentially causing ambiguity so that the search engine returns a surfeit of results. In this study, the current usability state of the major search engines (Google, Yahoo! and Bing) when ambiguous search queries are used was investigated. Participants completed pre and post-test questionnaires, including a System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire during a usability test. Each participant also performed different searches om three different occasions using three ambiguous search terms (shoot, divide and seal) in a randomised order according to a Graeco-Latin Square design. The study results suggest that the participants perceived the usability of Google to be the highest, followed by Yahoo! and Bing. Tasks that involved navigating more web pages in search of an answer were more difficult, and the order in which the tasks was completed did not have an impact on the results.

Paper Nr: 26
Title:

Can I Just Pass by? Testing Design Principles for Industrial Transport Robots

Authors:

Marijke Bergman, Sandra Bedaf, Goscha van Heel and Janienke Sturm

Abstract: Currently, two types of industrial collaborative robots are emerging: collaborative robot arms and transport robots. For such robots to cooperate with humans, intuitive interaction is required. They have to display behaviour that is predictable and legible and elicits positive emotions. In this paper we examine the application of two general design principles to the design of transport robots: (1) use analogies from nature, and (2)) adhere to social rules. Both are expected to result in better user-experience and understanding of the behaviour and intentions of a transport robot. The current study tests the effects of using 1a) a curved path and 1b) average walking speed in combination with deceleration upon nearing the human, and 2a) swerving to the right and 2b) respecting personal space. The principles tested in this study show positive effects for user experience and legibility. However, predictability is not improved. Options for additional adjustments, such as the use of communicative lights, are discussed.

Paper Nr: 29
Title:

Feeling Hungry: Association of Dietary Patterns with Food Choices using Scene Perception

Authors:

Shoma Berkemeyer and Julius Schöning

Abstract: Studies on nutrition have historically concentrated on food-shortages and over-nutrition. The physiological states of feeling hungry or being satiated and its dynamics in food choices, dietary patterns, and nutritional behavior, have not been the focus of many studies. Currently, visual analytic using easy-to-use tooling offers applicability in a wide-range of disciplines. In this interdisciplinary pilot-study we tested a novel visual analytic software to assess dietary patterns and food choices for greater understanding of nutritional behavior when hungry and when satiated. We developed software toolchain and tested the hypotheses that there is no difference between visual search patterns of dishes 1) when hungry and when satiated and 2) in being vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Results indicate that food choices can be deviant from dietary patterns but correlate slightly with dish-gazing. Further, scene perception probably could vary between being hungry and satiated. Understanding the complicated relationship between scene perception and nutritional behavioral patterns and scaling up this pilot-study to a full-study using our introduced software approaches is indispensable.

Paper Nr: 31
Title:

Personas and Tasks for International Data Space-based Ecosystems

Authors:

Torsten Werkmeister

Abstract: The International Data Space (IDS) is a platform developed for a global data ecosystem, composed of interconnected devices which gather, process, exchange and trade data. IDS and industry data are the research focus of many scientific papers dealing with analysis from a technical and economic point of view (Brost et al., 2018; Graube, 2018). This paper examines the users of the IDS as personas, a method for presenting and communicating stakeholder needs for IDS. By applying a user picture and name, properties and description a persona provides product users and developers with a representation of the design target. Using this research approach, the industry-wide requirements of potential users are analyzed in a task-oriented scientific approach and presented in personas. Applying this task-oriented approach, the new roles and associated new tasks of this domain are essential, as the people and tasks are extremely risky, hard to access and complex. The results provide the prerequisites for designing user-centric interfaces for the IDS.

Paper Nr: 10
Title:

Digital Library "Scientific Heritage of Russia"

Authors:

N. Kalenov, K. Pogorelko, I. Sobolevskaya and A. Sotnikov

Abstract: The article discusses a new version of the digital library "Scientific Heritage of Russia" (DL SHR) presented on the Internet at http://e-heritage.1gb.ru/. The DL SHR contains information about scientists of the 18th, 19th and first half of the 20th centuries who made a significant contribution to the development (Science in Russia). These include both Russian scientists and foreign scientists who worked in Russia. DL content includes structured metadata about scientists, their detailed biography, bibliography, portraits, and full texts of their most important publications, museum and archival information related to them. The article presents the principles underlying the filling of the DL SHR, the architecture of the Library, the blocks included in its structure, describes the user interface, illustrated by examples.

Paper Nr: 20
Title:

Psychographic and Cognitive Human Factor Modeling in Decision Support Systems for Building Personalized Product Ecosystems

Authors:

Alberts Pumpurs

Abstract: There are countless products build and launched every day. A growing number of possibilities for the consumer increases competition between similar products and product developers voluntarily or involuntarily are creating product ecosystems to stay competitive or relevant. As the products tend to form ecosystems, then for users it less decision of which product, instead of more of which ecosystem to buy into. This poses new challenges for product and ecosystem developers, how to comply with true user needs, and which are worth investing in. This position paper discusses the possibility that psychographic and cognitive human factor modeling could be the way to understand users and build personalized ecosystems using the decision support system. Following position, the paper is a proposal for future research in developing such decision support and conceptual model of user data and its relationship is proposed.

Paper Nr: 24
Title:

Development and Test of a New Concept of Interactive Front Counter Designed to Enhance User Experience

Authors:

Simona D’Attanasio and Thierry Sotiropoulos

Abstract: The front counter is the physical contact point between customers and service providers. By embedding technology in this piece of furniture in an aesthetic and an ergonomic design, surprising forms of interaction can be achieved. The combination of smart communicating devices and wood as the main material for integrated interfaces creates a unique atmosphere that can enhance user experience. This paper presents the design of an innovative, modular, low cost, interactive, smart front counter. This system provides customers with personalized information according to their profile, needs and tastes. At the same time, service and/or product providers can collect and visualize data concerning customers in real-time. With the contribution of professionals in woodcraft manufacturing and industrial design, a prototype of interactive front counter integrating a tactile wooden board, a gestural interface, and a wood screen has been developed and tested in the enotourism context with a group of 75 people. The counter was positively evaluated. Results show that the interaction with such a system can provide an attractive and valuable support for both customers and service providers.

Paper Nr: 30
Title:

Web Accessibility of Palestinian Universities: Can We Access Higher Education Information during COVID-19?

Authors:

Iyad A. Doush, Mohammed A. Awadallah and Mohammed A. Al-Betar

Abstract: University web portals are considered one of the main access gateways for universities. Accessibility of university online services is a major issue for undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities. Online registration makes people with disabilities more independent to register courses, add, drop courses, or attend courses independently. Yet, many people with disabilities in Palestine face major challenges when using university websites. In order to understand the issues that face people with disabilities when they use websites of Palestinian universities, this study evaluates the accessibility of the home pages of these universities during COVID-19. In order to evaluate partially the accessibility of Palestinian universities during COVID-19, we apply automatic evaluation on all homepages of eighteen Palestinian universities. The most violated guideline is empty link which is related to success criterion 2.4.4 Link Purpose. The second highest violated error is linked image missing alternative text which is related to the success criterion 1.1.1 Non-text Content. The obtained results show that all the universities websites are not conforming to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 level A.

Paper Nr: 33
Title:

The Design and Evaluation of a Home Health Care System (Teamvisit)

Authors:

Wesam Shishah, Hessah AlJowesir, Omaimah Subh and Ghaida Hassan

Abstract: The usability of computer systems used in health care is a worldwide issue. Poor usability has been reported as one of the most common problems in human-computer interaction, negatively affecting the workflow of health care. Today, the demand for home health care is increasing. It must therefore be supported with a system that is easy to learn and easy to use. The department of home health care at King Abdullah Medical Complex in Jeddah (KAMCJ) uses a semi-manual system. This research introduced a system called “TeamVisit,” which was designed to automate services and to enhance support for workflow management at the KAMCJ. The User Centered Design (UCD) method was applied to design the TeamVisit system. The system was designed in three stages: the first stage identified intended users and tasks, the second stage aimed to confirm whether the system matched user requirements, and the final stage involved initial usability testing of the TeamVisit system. The paper also summarizes the results of each stage. The paper concludes that users were satisfied with the design of the TeamVisit system, finding it easy to use.

Area 2 - Interactive Devices

Full Papers
Paper Nr: 23
Title:

Emerging Complexity: Communication between Agents in a MAS for Shape-shifting TUIs

Authors:

Helen Hasenfuss

Abstract: Communication is an essential component for creating shape-shifting, interactive interfaces. This paper discusses the early stages in constructing a communication protocol for a specific agent (the Dod (Hasenfuss, 2019)), to be used in a multiagent system (MAS). It is part of a larger study focused on developing novel interactive interfaces. Supporting the attempt to create a viable blueprint for an agent design, communication was explored from the perspective of artificial intelligence (AI). The components necessary for communication are tied to deeper constructs that cater for qualities such as coping mechanisms, understanding, interpretation and awareness. In the process of developing aware or conscious agents, the challenges of ethical usage of such technology comes to the foreground. Raising the necessary questions around these issues even in the development of a blueprint, can ensure a more informed and wholesome adaptation of the design once these issues can be resolved (e.g. final application, construction material, working environment, etc.).

Paper Nr: 27
Title:

Developing Music Harmony Awareness in Young Students through an Augmented Reality Approach

Authors:

Federico Avanzini, Adriano Baratè, Mauro Cottini, Luca Andrea Ludovico and Marcella Mandanici

Abstract: This paper presents AREmbody, an augmented-reality mobile application for the development of tonal harmony awareness. Continuing from previous prototypes based on full body and desktop interaction, AREmbody benefits from a very simple portable setup which allows physical interaction and supports the activity of one or more users. The application combines in a single mobile device a video processor, a media player and a movement tracker, opening the way to the design of harmonic games with challenges and recordable scores. Thus the application not only fosters music education activities in the classroom, but also extends them outside the school times and places, promoting educational practices in informal and private contexts.

Paper Nr: 34
Title:

Towards Accurate Browser-based SSVEP Stimuli Generation

Authors:

Alison Camilleri, Chris Porter and Tracey Camilleri

Abstract: Breakthroughs in Brain-Computer Interfacing (BCI) have positively impacted the lives of individuals who suffer from highly-restrictive physical disabilities. BCIs based on Steady State Visually Evoked Potentials (SSVEPs) rely on a neuronal response which takes place in the brain’s visual cortex whenever a person focuses visual attention onto a flickering stimulus. Specialized hardware and software tools exist for stimuli generation, however little to no empirical evidence exists on the applicability of standard web technologies for producing accurate and stable stimuli, for use in BCI applications. With the aim of informing efforts for the development of lightweight, portable and low-cost browser-based BCIs, this paper produces initial evidence on the performance attained by widely-adopted web technologies, namely CSS and WebGL. Results demonstrate that for the square wave approximation method, CSS and WebGL are able to effectively render stable and accurate stimuli on both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

Short Papers
Paper Nr: 32
Title:

The Potential of Telepresence Robots for Intergroup Contact

Authors:

Avner Peled, Teemu Leinonen and Béatrice Hasler

Abstract: We propose the use of telepresence robots as a medium for intergroup contact that aims at reducing prejudice between groups in conflict. We argue for robots as a midpoint between online communication and a face-to-face meeting, combining the flexibility of the virtual world and the depth of physical interactions. We define the basic architecture of telepresence systems and present a conceptual framework for robot-mediated encounters in an intergroup context. We then provide design guidelines for telepresence systems that may guide future implementations of robotic intergroup contact.

Area 3 - Adaptive and Intelligent Systems

Short Papers
Paper Nr: 19
Title:

Exploring Empathetic and Cognitive Interfaces for Autonomous Vehicles

Authors:

Benjamin Chateau, Hélène Unrein and Jean-Marc André

Abstract: The work presented is carried out within the framework of the European SUaaVE project, whose objective is to study different factors of acceptability of the Autonomous Vehicle (AV) and to test different solutions on a simulator. Among these solutions is an interface capable of informing the user at any time about the road situation and reassuring him/her about the information processed by the vehicle. To do this, it benefits from an empathic function to estimate the cognitive and emotional state of the user and offer answers in terms of comfort and information. This capability is based on a cognitive model of the passenger developed in conjunction with the interface. A comfort module (driving dynamics and ambient comfort) and an emotional module (participates in empathy functions) are developed in parallel by project partners. These modules will be integrated once the prototype presented here has been tested by users and adjusted.

Paper Nr: 25
Title:

Automated Sign Language Translation: The Role of Artificial Intelligence Now and in the Future

Authors:

Lea Baumgärtner, Stephanie Jauss, Johannes Maucher and Gottfried Zimmermann

Abstract: Sign languages are the primary language of many people worldwide. To overcome communication barriers between the Deaf and the hearing community, artificial intelligence technologies have been employed, aiming to develop systems for automated sign language recognition and generation. Particularities of sign languages have to be considered - though sharing some characteristics of spoken languages - since they differ in others. After providing the linguistic foundations, this paper gives an overview of state-of-the-art machine learning approaches to develop sign language translation systems and outlines the challenges in this area that have yet to be overcome. Obstacles do not only include technological issues but also interdisciplinary considerations of development, evaluation and adoption of such technologies. Finally, opportunities and future visions of automated sign language translation systems are discussed.

Area 4 - Interaction Design

Full Papers
Paper Nr: 8
Title:

Design of Syllabic Vibration Pattern for Incoming Notification on a Smartphone

Authors:

Masaki Omata and Misa Kuramoto

Abstract: We designed vibration patterns that notify a degree of urgency of an incoming message on a smartphone, a type of communication tool of the message and the sender’ name, while the message is being received on the smartphone. The design assigns segmentations of the vibration to syllables of the words such as “twitter” or “LINE” and sender’s surname. We propose that the patterns are easy-to-memorize and easy-to-discriminate because the vibration syllables imitate the syllabic sounds. Therefore, a user who senses and hears the vibrations can easily discriminate the information without looking at the smartphone screen. Discriminative correctness of the vibrations patterns was tested in a usability study with the smartphone in the user’s hand or trouser pocket. For two degrees of urgency, six types of communication tools and six senders’ names, the average correct answer rate was 78% in the hand and 34% in the pocket.

Short Papers
Paper Nr: 17
Title:

Understanding the Use of Narrative Patterns by Novice Data Storytellers

Authors:

Tom Blount, Laura Koesten, Yuchen Zhao and Elena Simperl

Abstract: Data stories are about communicating data, tailored to a specific audience, with a compelling narrative. Creating them requires a mix of data science and design skills, which can be difficult for beginners. Patterns can help, as they provide tried-and-tested solutions to commonly occurring challenges. ‘Narrative patterns’ are a particular class of patterns that support data-storytellers in structuring the presentation of data within their story, aiding them in effectively communicating with their audience. Our aim is to understand how such patterns are applied in practice and identify ways they could be of greater use, especially for people new to the field. To this end, we conduct a review of 67 data stories, created by both professional data storytellers and by postgraduate university students studying data-science, to analyse their use of narrative patterns. Starting from a collection of narrative patterns from the literature, we explore which patterns are used more often, either on their own or in combination, and which ones beginners struggle with. From the findings we derive recommendations on how to refine some of the less accessible patterns and for training and tool support, which would allow wider audiences to articulate their data insights effectively.

Paper Nr: 35
Title:

Evaluating the Accessibility of Digital Audio Workstations for Blind or Visually Impaired People

Authors:

Gemma Pedrini, Luca Andrea Ludovico and Giorgio Presti

Abstract: This paper proposes a methodology to assess the accessibility for blind or visually impaired people of music production software known as Digital Audio Workstations. The products chosen for the tests are Cockos REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, and Steinberg Cubase, three of the most popular solutions falling in this category. Both Microsoft Windows and macOS versions were tested, since these two operating systems natively integrate assistive technologies which provide a further layer to be considered. The degree of accessibility was evaluated in relation to the possibility for blind or visually impaired people to invoke key functions and perform basic operations. Finally, a focus group with visually impaired professional music producers was organized in order to assess the proposed evaluation methodology.

Paper Nr: 36
Title:

Interaction Design Issues in the Development and Assessment of Stress Management Apps: A Scoping Literature Review and Analysis

Authors:

Elpida Bampouni and Victor Kaptelinin

Abstract: A number of smartphone apps have been developed in recent years to help people cope with stress and promote mental well-being. Such apps have attracted significant attention in current research. However, interaction design issues, such as usability and user experience, have so far been relatively unexplored. This paper presents a meta-analysis of studies of mobile apps for stress management and mental well-being, specifically focusing on interaction design issues. Through a scoping literature search we selected the total of 46 articles, published in the last decade, for qualitative in-depth analysis. The analysis reveals that the main interaction design issues addressed in the papers are ease of use, user engagement, and privacy. Key opportunities and challenges for future work are discussed.