Who's That? - Ubiquitous Computing System Enhancing Serendipitous Social Interaction

Our team "*bOOp" designed a complete pervasive computing environment using Bluetooth, QR Code, smartphones, public displays in North Quad residential community of University of Michigan. The system is context-aware and facilitates serendipitous social interactions. I used a variety of research methods, including diary study, survey, observation, storyboarding, speed-dating & user testing, to identify and validate user's real needs. I also created low-fi, hi-fi, video and final interactive prototypes on three platforms (web, mobile app and public display).

Milestone 1: Concept

In the concept phase, we brainstorm and expand on ideas based on problems we identified from field research. We came up with 3 ideas and chose the one I am presenting now, given the technological limitations.

Milestone 2: Formative Study and Refined Concept

See Research Results Presentation and Audience Feedback

We conducted interviews, observations and an online survey to gain insights into physical space, and current social atmosphere, needs, desires and current behavior of undergraduates in North Quad.

Interviews

I, with our team, conducted 5 interviews with North Quad residents to identify their interests, after-school life, dorm usage, current social interactions, etc.

Field Observations

I observed residents in elevator lobbies during high and low traffic hours and used loggin sheet to record them to gain insights into current behaviors and interactions in this environment.

Survey

To expand our research range, we designed and distributed an online survey to undergraduate students who currently live or have lived in a dorm. I analyzed the data using R to formulate a report.

Milestone 3: Low-Fi Prototypes and User Testing

Needs Validation

View Storyboards, Methods and Major Takeaways

We presented our storyboards to testers and let them describe and compare different scenarios to confirm the requirements that North Quad residents have for our system intended to help users meet one another. The test was composed to better understand the impact of physical context and environment, implementation & means of interaction, and profile content.

User Enactment/Testing

We as a group explored critical design issues (in this case, the nature of the content: interaction, image & layout) identified through inviting real users to use our low-fi system. We found that types of content and user's social goals had a profound impact on the perception of playfulness and usefulness.

Milestone 4: Video Prototype

Based on user-research findings, we developed 3 scenarios which depict (with some playful humor) plausible scenarios of user interaction to illustrate and contextualize our concept. I actively participated in filming of all scenarios and edited & integrated it using Adobe Premier.

Milestone 5: Interactive Prototype and User Testing

We created an interactive prototype, including main Flash app, mobile web app, QR code scanner and Bluetooth detectors, for the final usability testing. I participated in all designs and individually created the workable mobile web app prototype.

Usability Testing

I conducted formal user tests examining the user’s comfort with and understanding of the pervasive system and how they use the system. I also conducted passive tests (observations) that evaluates the system’s ability to grab user attention and initiate interaction. Our system performed rather well in all tests.

Milestone 6: Final Video Prototype & Implementation

A complete implementation contains 6 components: Flash Application for Public Displays, Bluetooth Detector, QR Code App, Mobile Web App, Web App and Database. We've also made an Implementation Guide and System Architecture, should the system be implemented.

The live demo is not accessible through web interface due to its multi-platform nature, but you can always watch the video!

Results

Our project received overwhelming positive feedback from University Housing staff and professor. I received A+ for this course project. Quote from the Professor Mark Newman: "Your group made the North Quad facility manager cry." They are hoping to implement this system once the obstacles of pervasive technologies (in-door cables, smartphone market share, Bluetooth technology, etc.) are not problems any more.