Smart Spaces: Challenges and Opportunities of BLE-Centered Mobile Systems for Public Environments

📝 Abstract

The application of mobile computing is currently altering patterns of our behavior to a greater degree than perhaps any other invention. In combination with the introduction of BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and similar technologies enabling context-awareness, designers are today finding themselves empowered to build experiences and facilitate interactions with our physical surroundings in ways not possible before. The aim of this thesis is to present a research project, currently underway at the University of Cambridge, which is dealing with implementation of a BLE system into a museum environment. By assessing the technology, describing the design decisions as well as presenting a qualitative evaluation, this paper seeks to provide insight into some of the challenges and possible solutions connected to the process of developing ubiquitous BLE computing systems for public spaces. The project outcome revealed the potential use of BLE to engage whole new groups of audiences as well as made me argue in favor of a more seamful approach to the design of these systems.

💡 Analysis

The application of mobile computing is currently altering patterns of our behavior to a greater degree than perhaps any other invention. In combination with the introduction of BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and similar technologies enabling context-awareness, designers are today finding themselves empowered to build experiences and facilitate interactions with our physical surroundings in ways not possible before. The aim of this thesis is to present a research project, currently underway at the University of Cambridge, which is dealing with implementation of a BLE system into a museum environment. By assessing the technology, describing the design decisions as well as presenting a qualitative evaluation, this paper seeks to provide insight into some of the challenges and possible solutions connected to the process of developing ubiquitous BLE computing systems for public spaces. The project outcome revealed the potential use of BLE to engage whole new groups of audiences as well as made me argue in favor of a more seamful approach to the design of these systems.

📄 Content

Smart Spaces Challenges and Opportunities of BLE-Centered Mobile Systems for Public Environments Tommy Nilsson Department of informatics Cross Media Interaction Design Master thesis 2-year level, 30 credits SPM 2014.11 Smart Spaces –Challenges and Opportunities of BLE-Centered Mobile Systems for Public Environments Abstract The application of mobile computing is currently altering patterns of our behavior to a greater degree than perhaps any other invention. In combination with the introduction of BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and similar technologies enabling context-awareness, designers are today finding themselves empowered to build experiences and facilitate interactions with our physical surroundings in ways not possible before. The aim of this thesis is to present a research project, currently underway at the University of Cambridge, which is dealing with implementation of a BLE system into a museum environment. By assessing the technology, describing the design decisions as well as presenting a qualitative evaluation, this paper seeks to provide insight into some of the challenges and possible solutions connected to the process of developing ubiquitous BLE computing systems for public spaces. The project outcome revealed the potential use of BLE to engage whole new groups of audiences as well as made me argue in favor of a more seamful approach to the design of these systems. Keywords: Bluetooth Low Energy, Computer Aided Learning, Human-Centered Design, Internet of Things, Seamful Design, Ubiquitous Computing, Urban Computing

1. Introduction Probably no other technology in the history of mankind has caused such rapid and dramatic changes in our lives and abilities as the computer. During just the last few decades these devices have evolved from machines large as houses, used in a handful of military and research facilities, into relatively small and affordable tools present in nearly every household. Due to continuing erosion of cost and size related constraints of computing technology, mainstream consumers are today beginning to abandon traditional computers in favor of more versatile and lighter devices, such as smartphones. Consequently we are now in the process of leaving the desktop age behind us in order to embrace a more convenient paradigm in the form of mobile and wearable computing. Multiple studies are confirming this by showing that mobile platforms are starting to surpass traditional desktop computers in popularity (e.g. Büsching, Schildt & Wolf, 2012). Today the implications of this development are however beginning to be felt far beyond just the proliferation of mobile devices. The reduced cost and size of computing technology has in turn allowed it to become increasingly ubiquitous. Computational capabilities are no 1 longer exclusive to traditional or mobile computers, but rather being implemented to enhance the functionality of a growing spectrum of tools everywhere around us ranging from self-adjusting runner shoes all the way to fridges capable of downloading and displaying recipes (Kuniavsky, 2010). Moreover, by interconnecting these smart things with each other into larger systems, a whole new range of possible uses is being enabled. Essentially any artifact equipped with an identifier and wireless connectivity can today become a part of this emerging network, sometimes referred to as the Internet of Things or simply IoT (Golding, 2011). The concept of IoT has however its fair share of problems. Issues such as high power consumption and a resulting short longevity have traditionally been an important limiting factor holding back the process of equipping physical items with such wireless connectivity (Kamath & Lindh, 2012). As the latest generation of Bluetooth standard, aptly called Bluetooth Low Energy (henceforth BLE), is about to make entrance, hopes are high that these limitations might to some extent be addressed. Unlike its Bluetooth predecessor, BLE has a significantly reduced power consumption, with multiple sources claiming that a BLE transmitter can operate continuously for over two years using only a single coin battery (Kamath & Lindh, 2012). In combination with its small size, these factors could very well establish BLE as the dominant technology in the practice of granting physical items wireless connection and building a functioning IoT landscape. Although in many ways replacing traditional computers, it would be a mistake to think of modern mobile devices simply as smaller and more convenient versions of their desktop counterparts. The development of mobile cameras and sensors, such as QR readers, gyroscopes or radio signal receivers, has granted the contemporary smartphones a substantial degree of context awareness. Whereas traditional desktop computers had to rely predominantly on data contained on their hard drives, our sma

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