Run-time adaptation of a universal user interface for ambient intelligent production environments

Abstract

The SmartFactory KL is an arbitrarily modifiable and expandable (flexible) intelligent production environment, connecting components from multiple manufacturers (networked), enabling its components to perform context-related tasks autonomously (self-organizing), and emphasizing user-friendliness (user-oriented). This paper presents the results of a research project focusing on the run-time generation and adaptation of a universal task-oriented user interface for such intelligent production environments. It employs a Room-based Use Model (RUM) developed in the context of a continuing research project series on universal remote control devices for intelligent production environments. The SmartFactory KL is the first ambient intelligent production environment for demonstration and development purposes worldwide. After three years of research, a first prototype has been finished that allows for controlling the production line using a single remote user interface able to adapt to varying remote devices according to the actual context of use, in a complex, model-based approach. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.