Ubiquitous computing: Developing and evaluating near field communication applications

Abstract

The term ubiquitous computing (Ubicomp) describes a reality in which numerous computers are woven into the fabric of daily life. Radio Frequency Technology (RFID) is considered the primary micro-processing technology driving the Ubicomp vision. Similar technologically to RFID, Near Field Communication (NFC) was first introduced to markets in 2005. NFC is a standardized interface technology for the exchange of data between electronic devices such as PCs, mobile telephones, and RFID tags. The use of NFC in mobile phones is the focus of this thesis. A subset of RFID technology, NFC has the potential to directly impact vast numbers of mobile phone users worldwide. But not much is known about how users will react to NFC technology when introduced to markets on a large scale. The challenges for companies interested in developing and marketing NFC applications lie in: being able to justify the high initial investments in NFC infrastructure, not knowing whether users will accept the technology, not knowing which technology future users will employ in their daily lives, and recognizing that consumers need to experiment with NFC to get a better idea of what it has to offer. So that companies may respond to these challenges, this thesis presents a directed process for developing and evaluating NFC applications from initial idea to final product, and introduces a set of guidelines for designing future applications. The focus of the research lies in developing and evaluating NFC-based Ubicomp applications. It combines existing theories of Ubicomp, human-computer interaction, and technology acceptance in proposing an iterative process model: the ubiquitous computing application development and evaluation process model (UCAN) as a utility theory for developing and evaluating NFC applications. To test the process model the thesis uses three NFC-based artifacts from specific case studies, all of which solve a general domain-specific problem and target the end-user. To answer the research problem the thesis makes use of the paradigm of design science. In employing this problem-solving paradigm, artifacts are developed within the framework of a utility theory. The utility theory, or process model, is in this case UCAN. The three artifacts are embedded within case studies that are subjected to the UCAN process. The case studies are: "Easymeeting" (office), "Mobile Prosumer" (retail), and "Public Transport Company" (ticketing). To analyze the artifacts, multiple methods were used and compared during the evaluation process. UCAN is used to determine which evaluation methods are applicable to each phase of the process-it is theorized and refined throughout the thesis. In addition to the UCAN process model, a set of guidelines for designing NFC-based Ubicomp applications are the two primary results of this thesis. UCAN covers four phases: from initial idea, to low-fidelity prototype, to working prototype, up to the final product, and specifies evaluation methods for each prototype phase. These methods are: expert interviews, focus groups, talking-out-loud, and a survey that employs the UTAUT technology acceptance model. Companies can use the process model to determine various requirements for building successful NFC-based applications. The guidelines for designing NFC applications apply to four categories: NFC technology, tag infrastructure, devices, and human factors. The guidelines provide recommendations for how to approach designing NFC systems in terms of: process, promotion, privacy and security concerns, implementation of services, relevance, tag appearance, tag distribution, target groups, simplicity, haptic feedback, and existing infrastructures. The guidelines make possible initiating the development process of NFC according to user desires. This work adds to the growing scientific body of Ubicomp knowledge by contributing the empirical results from three case studies and providing new theoretical insights. The thesis expands upon existing research in the ubiquitous computing field. It presents a view of Ubicomp through the lens of the relatively new technology NFC, and makes use of several evaluation methods, including a technology acceptance model (UTAUT), in developing the research. In particular, the artifact studied in relation to public transportation was measured at three points during the evaluation process. The case study featured a significant sample size and was conducted in the field. It was the largest NFC-based pilot test conducted in Germany. This thesis is the first to research NFC on a large-scale. The thesis addresses practitioners by offering them a directed process model for developing NFC-based Ubicomp applications. The process model provides specific evaluation methods for each phase of development. Companies can use these methods to design successful applications. Because of the structure of the UCAN process, it is possible to determine unnecessary and even unwanted functions at a very early phase of application development. Furthermore, it allows changes to be made to the product at later developmental stages before significant investment in infrastructure has taken place. The applied UTAUT model helps companies to determine how to better market their products to consumers and how to improve the final NFC-based Ubicomp product. With UCAN and the set of design guidelines, a company has two solid resources that it can use to justify initial investments in NFC infrastructure, forecast whether users will accept the technology, and allow consumers to experiment with NFC to determine what it has to offer from the very beginning. The research setup of this thesis has three limitations: the selection of the case studies, the extent of the research process, and the addition of added methodologies for analyzing the artifact. Future research needs to examine in more detail (also quantitatively) user-centered design approaches and acceptance models for Ubicomp applications. The following questions represent potential areas of future research: Is the UCAN process model developed here meeting the needs of Ubicomp application developers and does it enhance the development process? And: Do the developed NFC guidelines have a direct influence on technology acceptance, product success, and system usage? © Gabler Verlag Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH 2010. All rights reserved.