Context and action: A unitary vision within a logic-based multi-agent environment

Abstract

Interactive ICT products falling under the umbrella of the 3rd paradigm of the HCI are posing significant challenges to designers. Context-and the way in which it has to be conceptually and epistemologically addressed-is one of the issues central in the general debate around ubiquitous computing and phenomenologically situated interaction: Context strays from being yet another non-technological aspect affecting the design to become a central component not separable from activities carried on by means of the interactive application. This paper addresses design issues related to this debate within the case-study of the exploration of a dynamically changing territory upon occurrence of some kind of catastrophic event (e.g. earthquake, fire, flooding), by proposing a logic-based multiagent-oriented framework allowing affordable and flexible planning capabilities, in which dynamic knowledge on environment and activity plans are seamlessly integrated.