• User agency: The self-perceived abilities of users to operate and control their devices.
• Device agency: The capacities that users attribute to their smart devices.

The study introduces four agency profiles that characterize different types of human-smart device relationships:

1. Controller: High user agency, low device agency
2. Collaborator: High user agency, high device agency
3. Victim: Low user agency, high device agency
4. Detached: Low user agency, low device agency

Figure below presents an intuitive idea of the research:

The researcher is validated by conducting an exploratory factorial analysis, tag cloud analysis, and sentiment analysis on survey data to investigate these agency profiles. In this work we examined also how various background variables (such as age, gender, education, and device type) relate to user and device agency.

Key findings include:

1. The type of smart device significantly affected user agency, with household cleaning device users reporting the highest user agency and personal assistant device users reporting the lowest.
2. Most background variables (age, gender, education, professional field, work experience) did not significantly impact user or device agency.
3. The tag cloud analysis revealed distinct patterns of language use associated with each agency profile, providing insights into how users perceive their relationships with smart devices.

This research contributes to the fields of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Information Systems (IS) by offering a framework for understanding the varied ways humans interact with and perceive smart devices. The findings have implications for designing more effective and user-friendly smart device interfaces and experiences. The impact of this paper on human-smart device relationships and related fields includes:

1. Theoretical contribution: The study introduces a novel framework for understanding human-smart device relationships through the lens of user and device agency. This conceptualization provides a new perspective for researchers in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Information Systems (IS).
2. Design implications: The findings can inform the design of smart devices and their interfaces. By understanding different agency profiles, designers can create more user-friendly and effective devices that cater to various user perceptions and needs.
3. User experience enhancement: The research helps in identifying factors that influence user satisfaction and engagement with smart devices. This knowledge can be applied to improve overall user experience.
4. Industry relevance: The study’s insights are valuable for companies developing and marketing smart devices. Understanding user perceptions can guide product development and marketing strategies.
5. Educational impact: The research provides a foundation for educating users about their relationship with smart devices, potentially leading to more informed and empowered consumers.
6. Future research directions: The paper opens up new avenues for research in human-smart device interactions, encouraging further exploration of agency concepts in technology adoption and use.
7. Societal implications: By shedding light on how people perceive and interact with smart devices, the study contributes to broader discussions about the role of technology in society and its impact on human behavior.
8. Methodological contribution: The combination of exploratory factorial analysis, tag cloud analysis, and sentiment analysis provides a multi-faceted approach to studying human-smart device relationships, which can be applied in future studies.

This research has the potential to influence how we design, use, and think about smart devices, ultimately advancing our understanding the human-technology interactions. Overall, you should read this paper for several compelling reasons:

• Novel perspective: The paper introduces a unique framework for understanding human-smart device relationships through the concepts of user agency and device agency. This approach offers a fresh perspective on how people interact with and perceive their smart devices.
• Practical implications and industry relevance: The research has direct applications for designers and developers of smart devices. By understanding different agency profiles, they can create more user-friendly and effective products that cater to various user perceptions and needs. Thus facilitating the development and marketing of smart devices.
• Insight into user experience: The study provides valuable insights into factors that influence user satisfaction and engagement with smart devices. This knowledge can be applied to enhance overall user experience across different types of smart devices.
• Societal impact: The research contributes to broader discussions about the role of technology in society and its impact on human behavior. It helps us understand how people perceive and interact with increasingly prevalent smart devices.
• Methodological innovation: The paper employs a multi-faceted approach combining exploratory factorial analysis, tag cloud analysis, and sentiment analysis. This methodology provides a comprehensive understanding of human-smart device relationships and could be applied in future studies.
• Future research directions: The study opens up new avenues for research in human-smart device interactions, encouraging further exploration of agency concepts in technology adoption and use.

In summary, by reading this paper, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between humans and smart devices, which is increasingly relevant in our technology-driven world. The insights provided can be valuable whether you’re a researcher, designer, industry professional, or simply interested in how technology shapes our daily lives.

Link to the paper: https://doi.org/10.3390/fi16030090

Dataset for the study of Human and Device Agency

The relationship we have with our smart devices is more complex than we think! This research reveals how user and device agency influence our interactions. #TechResearch #HCI #IoT #AI
Share on X

The post The Varieties of Agency in Human–Smart Device Relationships: The Four Agency Profiles appeared first on Francesco Lelli.

Human-computer interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field that explores the interaction between humans and computers, emphasizing especially the design and use of computer technology. Within this domain, the notion of sense of agency, usually defined as the users perceiving their actions as influencing the system, is of crucial importance. Another central notion is that of socio-technical systems, referring to the interplay between social and technical elements. In this work, we delve into users’ perceptions of their interactions with smart devices, drawing insights from a dataset collected during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.

The dataset, gathered through an expansive survey, was distributed in professional and personal networks, offers a window into the perspectives of 587 respondents, predominantly highly educated professionals with significant technological familiarity. While the sample’s specificity limits the generalizability of findings, it offers valuable insights into how tech-savvy users perceive their interactions with smart devices, illuminating the nuanced dynamics of HCI within socio-technical contexts.

One of the survey’s notable aspects was its focus on users’ choice of a single smart device to consider throughout their responses. This deliberate framing encourages a deeper exploration of users’ relationships with specific technologies, shedding light on the intricacies of their interactions. For respondents who did not own multiple smart devices, the instruction was to choose their primary device, such as a computer or mobile phone, thus ensuring consistency in the examination of user experiences.

Within the dataset, various dimensions of users’ interactions with smart devices emerged, encompassing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects. Users’ perceptions of agency, defined as their sense of control and influence over the device, are particularly intriguing. Analysis of the dataset reveals diverse manifestations of agency, ranging from feelings of empowerment and efficiency to frustrations stemming from perceived limitations or complexities in device operation.

Moreover, the socio-technical lens allows us to delve deeper into the contextual factors shaping users’ interactions. The dataset captures not only users’ individual experiences but also the broader socio-cultural and technological landscapes influencing these interactions. Factors such as educational background, professional expertise, age, and gender are among the variables examined, offering insights into how these socio-demographic factors intersect with users’ perceptions of smart device interactions.

The dataset’s utilization in previous research endeavors underscores its significance in advancing our understanding of human-computer interaction, user behavior analysis, and agency. By building upon existing research and leveraging the data available, researchers can uncover deeper insights into the complexities of smart device interactions and contribute to the development of more user-centered technologies.

The COVID-19 context during which the data were collected adds another layer of complexity to the analysis. Due to the increased time spent at home and the increase in remote work, the global pandemic catalyzed increased reliance on technology for work, education, and socialization. Understanding users’ interactions with smart devices within this unique context provides valuable implications for designing technologies that accommodate evolving user needs and preferences.

In conclusion, users’ notions of their interactions with smart devices offer a rich tapestry of insights that intersect with key concepts in HCI, including agency and socio-technical systems. Through the analysis of a dataset collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, we gain valuable insights into users’ perceptions, behaviors, and experiences with smart devices within the context of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. This dataset serves as a springboard for further exploration in the field, driving forward our understanding of human-computer interactions in an increasingly digital world.

Where to find more:

• Agency in Human-Smart Device Relationship: A work in progress description of a research done with this dataset

Initial call for collecting the responses

Link to the dataset (Open Access)

https://doi.org/10.3390/data9040056

https://doi.org/10.34894/traony

Main Personal Related Publication

https://doi.org/10.3390/fi16030090

The post Understanding Users’ Experiences of Interaction with Smart Devices: A Socio-Technical Perspective appeared first on Francesco Lelli.

At a first look these questions look really obvious, to the point that they do not really need to be answered. However, “the obvious” is what most often shapes our behavior without us being aware of it. In particular, our relation with the objects around us, from an anthropological perspective, is what literally allowed us to become humans and helped us in interacting and modifying the surrounding environment.

This study intends to provide an introspective analysis of the way we approach the relationship we have with “things”. As a result, this study may foster a deeper understanding of ourselves and help us in prioritizing what we need, what we want and what we desire in life.

Dr. Heidi Toivonen and me decided to develop a multidisciplinary research on human-smart devices interaction that will try to answer some of these questions in a scientifically sound manner.  

In this respect we need your help! In particular, we are inviting you to take part in a little survey regarding your relationship with smart devices. In taking this survey, you will be able to reflect on how you relate to technology. At the same time you will be contributing to a study that aims to foster a deeper understanding of human interaction with personal smart devices that are becoming a more and more pervasive element of our everyday life. 

We sincerely appreciate your support and collaboration. 

Completing the survey will take you no more than 5 minutes.

Follow this link to the Survey:
Human-Smart Device Interaction

You are also welcome to extend this invitation to anybody you think may be interested in participating in this research. Please share this link and help us spread the voice!

Participate to a scientific #research that will #help #understanding the #interactive #relationships between #humans and smart devices. It takes only 5 minutes of your time! #IoT #HCI #psychology #AI #BigData
Share on X

You can contact us if you have any questions or feedback to share. In addition, if you have done work that you believe is relevant for this research, we look forward to learning from you! 

Thanks for your contribution to science!

The post Human and Smart Device Interaction: Help Wanted appeared first on Francesco Lelli.

Web 2.0 communities emerge regularly with the growing need for domain-specific programming over Web APIs. Even though Web mashups provide access to Web APIs, they ignore domain-specific programming needs. On the other hand, developing domain-specific languages (DSLs) is costly and not feasible for such ad hoc communities. We propose User Language Domain (ULD): an intermediate Web based architecture using a domain-specific embedded languages approach that reduces the cost of DSL development to plugging the Web APIs into a host end user programming language. We have implemented the proposed architecture in the context of smart devices, where we plug the functionality of different Lego Mindstorms devices into a Web-based visual programming language. We expect that several domains, such as smart homes or wearable computers can use the ULD architecture to reduce development effort.

Some relevant Key words: domain specific languages, Web 2.0 communities, end user programming, plugin architecture, smart devices, ubiquitous computing.

Our case study of smart devices helps to show the promise of separating functionality from the end user programming language in end user programming. Currently, web based artifacts are released together with a set of open APIs that can be used by their customers for building extensions. Our solution allows an efficient way of embedding these APIs into a customizable wed based end user programming environment. Based on this case study we note that:

• The idea of adopting a plugin architecture introduces a tradeoff between (i) having a standardized and uniform access to different APIs and (ii) having a completely free set of methods. In the first case the realization of the Application Domains Library is simpler and portable. However, the introduction of domain dedicated features is more complex.
• In the realized prototype we have considered the possibility of separating the functionality from the visualization. However, we could also embed in the APIs a set of metadata for the visualization of the instructions and this will result in a more uniform adoption across possible domain languages.
• The end user programming language developed in this case study runs completely on the client side of the Web browser. By using JavaScript as the assembly language of the Web, the underlying compiler of the programming language compiles the visual language into the complete JavaScript application. Since JavaScript is an event-based programming language, the compiler is forced to map the visual programming language to an event-based language.
• In our case study, the provided visual language consists of methods that can be treated as events and be triggered upon calling them; hence it is straightforward to map this language to an event-based language. However, in case of need for other programming paradigms, such as functional programming or data-flow programming, the mapping to an event-based language is more complex.
• Server-side execution of end user developed applications creates a trade-off between flexibility and interactivity. Although server-side compilation and execution increases the flexibility on possible technologies and methods to be used for compilation and execution, it hampers interactivity during application execution, which is important in domains such as scientific simulations and games. A hybrid solution between client and server-side execution has to be chosen according to the domain.

In this paper we propose ULD, a Web-based architecture to separate the domain functionality from the programming language to support programming in the highly dynamic ecosystem of Web 2.0 communities. We devise a plugin architecture for an end user programming language to be used as a host language into which the functionality of multiple domains can be plugged. We apply our architecture in the context of smart devices. As a result, end users are provided with a visual programming environment to program different Lego Mindstorms devices. The visual programming interface is automatically generated from the device functionality and embedded into the programming environment. The adoption of the Web for end user programming opens new frontiers for collaborative developments. The developed case study will serve as a testbed where we will evaluate different collaborative end user programming tools and methods in order to assess the potential of end user programming in online social environments and understanding their challenges.

Full article available at the following link:

Supporting Domain-Specific Programming in Web 2.0: a Case Study of Smart Devices: https://doi.org/10.1109/ASWEC.2010.36

Read the paper at this link

Your help in sharing the idea is very welcome!

Cite this paper as:

N. Ahmadi, F. Lelli and M. Jazayeri Supporting Domain-Specific Programming in Web 2.0: a Case Study of Smart Devices, In proc of 21st Australian Software Engineering Conference (ASWEC), Auckland, New Zealand, April 2010

Related Article:

• The Many Faces of the Integration of Instruments and the Grid

Supporting #domain Specific #programming in #Web 2.0: a #casestudy of #Smart Devices ( #IoT ).
Share on X

• Full list of Articles
• Full list of Journal Publications
• Full list of Conference Publications

The post Supporting Domain-Specific Programming in Web 2.0: a Case Study of Smart Devices appeared first on Francesco Lelli.