Cost 219ter

Delivering Ambient Intelligent Services to users with disabilities

The key to delivering ambient intelligence to users is being able to provide what is wanted, when, where and how it is wanted. All aspects are important so that the user receives the right information, at the right time and in the right way so the person can make use of this information. However user control is paramount so they can decide what information they want and whether or not they want to receive it at any given point.

Users must not have to understand the technology to use it and most will have no desire to think about it. Information should be delivered to the users on their own existing devices (such as a mobile phone). Therefore interfaces must be straightforward and meaningful without the user being overwhelmed by options and menus. Ambient intelligent systems must be intuitive and easy to use so that the individual can interact with the services without effort.

The involvement of users throughout the design and development of services and products cannot be over emphasised. It is vital that ideas and concepts are tested as well as prototypes and the final product. As a rule users are not always aware of the products and services they will take up until they have experienced them. User testing and evaluation centred on real life implementation rather than conceptual technology driven ideas are the key to achieving products and services that meet real user needs.

A tourist carrying heavy suitcases visiting a city will have different needs once checked in, and exploring the sights. A working mother will want to interact with ambient intelligent systems at different levels when meeting business clients or navigating public transport with young children and shopping. These examples share a common theme – that of changing requirements as a result of changing circumstances. A truly intelligent agent/ environment will remember all previous preferences as well as deriving new information based on what appears to be a change in behaviour. This will form part of an evolving preference storing system which tracks a user’s decisions over time to make a more informed choice at the next stage. It will make intelligent ‘guesses’ about what is needed and when it is needed as a personal friend would.

So will individuals embrace ambient intelligence? An intelligent service will only be used if it is seen to be of benefit without effort and with no risk of compromising privacy. This will require resources to be devoted to educating people with disabilities about the possibilities and limitations of various ambient intelligent systems.

However a service will need to be provided to help people with disabilities identify which options will best meet their individual needs, configure systems to be usable by that individual, and provide training and support in the use of these services.

 

Chapter 4

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