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People-Centred Technologies

Interaction Techniques for Mobile and Wearable Technology

Interaction Techniques for Mobile and Wearable Technology is an NRC-IIT research project which originated in October 2001 within the Department of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow and moved, in part, to NRC in November 2002 where it continues with informal collaboration with its former institution.

The aim of this project is to investigate all facets of alternative interaction techniques for use with mobile and wearable devices. In particular, this project looks at the interaction techniques that best cater to mobile use of such technology. This is typically done via a series of smaller sub-projects or investigations, each looking at very specific elements of mobile interaction.

A specially designed Mobile Human Computer Interaction (HCI) lab at NRC-IIT e-Business in Fredericton has been developed for testing this, and other related, technology. Equipment such as a Mobile Assistant V (MA-V) Wearable computer from Xybernaut contributes to this lab.

Current Research Focus: Enhancing the Mobility of Effective Note Taking

Working on the hypothesis that the effectiveness of use of unistroke alphabets is dictated by personal handwriting style, this current investigative project looks at the difference in accuracy of use of such systems according to mobility of use and handwriting style.

To improve the accuracy of use of such systems, we are looking at the audio enhancement of the technology to support truly eyes-free mobile use of unistroke alphabets so that they might be better used in e-Field Work scenarios. Through rigorous testing, we expect to show that the use of unistroke alphabets, when mobile, can be significantly improved when supported by audio feedback and to examine the manner of audio feedback best suited to such enhancement of unistroke systems. We also hope to be able to reflect on how individual handwriting style affects the accuracy and ease of use of unistroke alphabets to the extent that audio feedback can be tailored to support the needs of specific writing styles.

Opportunities

Research opportunities: Any research related to e-Field work and mobile use of technology in which novel interaction based on gesture and audio would be entertained. If interested, please contact the research contact listed below.
Technical transfer opportunities: Potential transfer to unistroke alphabet providers, but the principles can be applied, with modification, elsewhere. Please contact the Business Development Officer listed below to discuss these opportunities.

Research Contact

Dr. Joanna Lumsden (Jo)
Research Officer
People-Centred Technologies
NRC Institute for Information Technology
46 Dineen Drive
Fredericton, NB E3B 9W4
Telephone: +1 (506) 444-0382
E-mail: Joanna Lumsden

Business Contact

Marc-Alain Mallet
Business Development Officer
Business Development Office, New Brunswick
NRC Institute for Information Technology
46 Dineen Drive
Fredericton, NB E3B 9W4
Telephone: +1 (506) 444-0394
Fax: +1 (506) 452-3859
E-mail: Marc-Alain.Mallet@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca