From human-computer interaction to human-artefact interaction: Interaction design for smart environments

Abstract

The introduction of computer technology caused a shift away from real objects as sources of information towards desktop computers as the interfaces to information now (re)presented in a digital format. In this paper, I will argue for returning to the real world as the starting point for designing information and communication environments. Our approach is to design environments that exploit the affordances of real world objects and at the same time use the potential of computer-based support. Thus, we move from human-computer interaction to human-artefact interaction. Combining the best of both worlds requires an integration of real and virtual worlds resulting in hybrid worlds. The approach will be demonstrated by sample prototypes we have built as, e.g., the Roomware® components and smart artefacts that were developed in the project "Ambient Agoras: Dynamic Information Clouds in a Hybrid World" which was part of the EU-funded proactive initiative "The Disappearing Computer"(DC). © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.