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Past Projects

COBI - Community Behaviour Models in User-Content Interaction

The main objective of the COBI-project is to bring the communities' perspective in designing new products in the field of personal content management. As there seems to be an inherent need for sharing content, the motivations for sharing and behaviour patterns in small and close communities need to be studied. The project will combine knowledge from the fields of usability, personal content management and social sciences to develop novel UI design ideas for personal content management systems. The user study results will be used for composing new UI design guidelines and mini UI concepts. With these, the aim is to provide tools for designing content management systems that are easy to use, offer real value for the users and lower users' threshold in introduction of these systems that deal with users' precious memories.

CoFE - Community Framework Evaluation

The objective of Cofe is to evaluate a Community Framework for analyzing on-line communities and designing new services for them. As the framework is new and has not been validated yet, this project aims to evaluate, iterate and validate it. By doing this we aim at understand better the building blocks of successful on-line community services. Privacy, as one of the critical elements of the model, will be emphasized. Research methods will include both qualitative user studies and an Internet survey to reveal the most important factors affecting perception of privacy and in the framework in general.

  • Funding: Nokia Research Center
  • Research Partners: TUT/IHTE and Nokia Research Center
  • Duration: 15.1.2008 - 30.06.2008
  • Contact: Project manager Thomas Olsson

CroMeX - Cross Media Experience

The CroMeX-project studies how to exploit the user environment of mobile phone in media services and user experiences related to this.

  • Funding: NRC
  • Research Partners: TUT/IHTE, NRC
  • Duration: 1.2.2008 - 31.12.2008
  • Contact: Tuula Kärkkäinen

Experienced Multimodal Quality

Projects of this research theme aim to understand the experienced aspects of perceived multimodal quality. We approach experienced quality broadly by taking into account user's characteristics, consumed content, context of use for certain application field. We develop new evaluation methods to assess quality of service or signal quality in novel application fields in which the quality optimization is crucial and can negatively impact on experience. We also explore the ways to evade technical limitations from the side of users, contents and context of use.

Our main application fields are mobile TV and mobile 3DTV.

INTO / REAL-IN-HT

Research and Education Alliance in Humane Technology REAL-IN-HT (Finnish acronym is INTO) alliance project is one of the top 12 projects to be funded by the University Alliance Finland. The general aim of INTO is to create a multidisciplinary and internationally recognized consortium for research and education including graduate and especially postgraduate level in the area of human-technology interaction.
Project partners are Tampere Unit for Computer-Human Interaction (TAUCHI) at the Department of Computer Sciences in University of Tampere, the Human-Centered Technology Unit (Finnish acronym IHTE) at the Department of Software Systems in Tampere University of Technology, and the User-friendly Information Technology Program at the Department of Computer and Information Systems in the University of Jyväskylä.

  • Funding: Yliopistoalliansi / OPM
  • Duration: 2008 - 2011
  • Contacts: Teija Vainio

KASTE - Human centered methods as part of multifunctional machinery automation design

KASTE develops and applies methods which help companies in integrating activities promoting usability as part of their product development processes. The goal is to establish and develop good automation design practices that pay attention to all user groups. Particular attention is paid in strengthening multifuncional design culture and innovativeness in the companies. A central application field in the project is teleoperation in machinery and automation industry. See also UsabilityMate.

  • Funding: TEKES, John Deere, Kalmar Industries, Kone, Metso Automation and Metso Minerals
  • Duration: 1.5.2007 - 31.5.2010
  • Contact: Jarmo Palviainen

MEMO - Metadata management in mobile device user interfaces

MEMO-projektissa tavoitteena on tutkia metadatan hallintaa mobiililaitteiden käyttöliittymissä.

  • Funding: Nokia Research Center, TEKES
  • Research Partners: TUT, NRC
  • Duration: 18.6.2007 - 31.12.2007
  • Contact: Teija Vainio

MoBiS - A usability and productivity measurement toolbox to develop successful mobile business services

In MoBiS project knowledge from the fields of usability and business performance is combined in order to develop, implement and deploy the tools for measuring the success of mobile business services. The approach in MoBiS is multidisciplinary. We combine existing measurement traditions from the fields of usability and business performance measurement to provide a holistic view on the success of mobile business services. In addition, strategies and practices to apply the tools in the companies are developed. The goals of MoBiS project build on the results of the MOMENTO project (2006-2007).

  • Funding: Tekes and partners
  • Research Partners: TUT / Department of Software Systems: IHTE, TUT/Department of Business Information Management and Logistics: Performance management team and VTT
  • Duration: 1.1.2008 - 31.12.2009
  • Contact: Project manager Heli Wigelius

MoI – Mobile Immersion: Spatial Haptics

The MoI -project studies the possibilities and restrictions of novel interaction techniques based on haptic human-computer interaction. The goal is to design comprehensive prototypes/concepts (form + technology + applications) which enable various kinds of use cases. Moreover, it is essential to study the early user experience of the designed prototypes/concepts in order to provide information for further developing proper product concepts. The focus area is set on human-human communication based on haptic interfaces.

The role of IHTE is to conduct qualitative user studies, focusing especially on user needs and expectations, which affect the general acceptability of systems based on haptic interaction.

  • Funding: Nokia Research Center
  • Research Partners: IHTE, TUT/Department of Electronics, University of Tampere/Department of Computer Sciences (TAUCHI) and NRC
  • Duration: 14.5.2008 - 28.02.2009
  • Contact: Project manager Thomas Olsson

MOMENTO - Ensuring the success of mobile services for business usage by multidisciplinary measurement tools

The project combines knowledge from the fields of usability and business performance to develop tools for measuring the success mobile business services. In MOMENTO, the success of the service refers to good performance at different levels, from the individual worker to business networks. For the individual worker, successful service can be one that makes the work tasks pleasant and efficient to perform, while for the company deploying the service, successful service may be one that increases the productivity of the company. In the level of business networks, successful mobile business services can result in an improved performance of the whole business networks.

  • Funding: TEKES, Nokia Oyj, TeliaSonera Oyj, Buildercom Oy, Mobisoft Oy, IdeanResearch Oy
  • Research Partners: IHTE, The Institute of Business Information Management (TUT), VTT
  • Duration: 1.1.2006 - 31.12.2007
  • Contact: Project Manager Teija Vainio

KUKA - Käyttäjäkeskeisen tutkimuksen kaupallistaminen

Hankkeen tavoitteena on saada yliopisto-osaajat ja kokeneet liiketoiminnan kehittäjät nykyistä tiiviimpään ja pitkäjänteisempään yhteistyöhön tutkimusprojektien koko elinkaareksi. Hankkeessa rakennetaan toimintamalli hedelmälliselle yhteistyölle, joka sisältää kaupallistamisprosessin. Kaupallistamisen case-tapaukset liittyvät käyttäjäkeskeiseen tutkimukseen.

  • Funding: Tekes
  • Research Partners: TUT, University of Tampere, Tuotekehitys Oy Tamlink, Professia Oy
  • Duration: 1.6.2006 - 31.12.2007
  • Contact: Suvi Melakoski-Vistbacka

KOKOS - Kone ja automaatiojärjestelmien käyttäjäkeskeinen ohjelmistosuunnittelu

KOKOS project aims to develop and select user centered software design methods and usability methods for machinery automation systems. These systems differ from big process control systems, since they are often operated in harsh conditions and the operators may be assigned many other tasks besides operating the systems opposed to eg. process industry where dedicated operators work in control rooms. Designing automation systems is more and more about designing interaction between humans and the system.

  • Funding: Tekes, John Deere, Metso Minerals and Plenware
  • Duration: 1.3.2005 - 30.4.2007
  • Contact: Jarmo Palviainen

PALTI - Human-centered design of the work processes and technology of service networks

The aim of the project is to support the design and development of mobile systems and services by providing in-depth understanding of the factors affecting user experience. We approach user experience as a dynamic phenomenon, which is affected by the characteristics of the user, the components and qualities of the mobile system and service as well as the contextual aspects beyond the moment of interaction. We apply contextual inquiry in the development of the systems. User experience as perceived by the users is studied in real usage contexts and situations.

  • Funding: Ministry of Education, Finland
  • Duration: 1.1.2007 - 31.12.2009
  • Contact: Heli Väätäjä

PROFCOM - Product Internationalization with Firm-Hosted Online Communities

The goal of the project is to study how firm-hosted online communities can support the success and internationalization of products. The research project is multidisciplinary and combines social, technological and economical viewpoints on online communities. The practica$ goal of the project is to develop and publish knowledge about building of online-communities and their success factors.

IHTE focuses on user-centered approach to online communities and their success factors:

  • User needs, motives and meanings concerning the participation in online communities.
  • Attraction factors and successful guiding policies that create and maintain the sense of community.

Project aims to improve the social interaction and support users' content production and self-expression in online communities$

  • Funding: TEKES, 3 corporate partners
  • Research Partners: TUT, IHTE and LUT, Technology Business Research Center
  • Duration: 1.3.2008 - 30.4.2011
  • Contact: Sanna Malinen

SharMe - Creating, Managing and Sharing Memories with Mobile Phones

The main objective of the project was to bring the end-users' perspective to the development of the SharMe concept. SharMe touches the very personal parts of people's lives - their memories - and thus it is especially crucial to understand the in-depth needs, fears and requirements of potential users of such system. Fluent and pleasant interaction with the system must be possible in the mobile and stationary usage contexts, in order to provide satisfying user experience to the diverse consumer groups. The most concrete goal was to refine the initial concept in a direction that suits the users, and to create a prototype of the developed concept iteration to be evaluated with users.

SUXES - User experience evaluation for supporting international competitiveness

The main objective of this research project is to develop practices for evaluating and designing for user experience in order to improve business know-how. Implementing the practice with relevant tools will lead to more effective means to anticipate and react to the changes in the present and emerging markets. A successful practice to design for user experience has two main steps: (i) to gather customer/user feedback data from desired markets systematically and efficiently, and (ii) to utilize the data in the product development process and marketing. The concept of user experience includes both pragmatic and emotional/hedonic aspects of product use, and thus, design for user experience aims to satisfy human needs beyond the merely instrumental. During this research project, tools, measures and guidelines will be developed to carry out the tasks successfully. Special emphasis will be given to cultural issues affecting user experience, and ways to reach the remote customers effectively will be explored.

TERVI – Multimodal gaming environment promoting awareness of health in a social and positive way

The goal of the multidisciplinary TERVI project is to develop health-enhancing, social and positive games for adolescents. The target group is children aged 13-16 years, who will also participate in the game ideation and evaluation at different phases of the project. The primary responsibilities of IHTE in the project include the evaluation of gaming experience and also the support for the development of game concepts by conducting user research.

The project includes research in the fields of computer science, interactive technology, usability, signal processing, audiovisual representation and public health, with a goal to combine the expertise of these different sciences to ensure the functionality and effectiveness of the developed games. The project includes research on new software technology which enables multimodal gaming experience based on visual, auditory and haptic interaction.

  • Funding: Tekes, Beneway Oy, Lu$ ProgICT Oy, Finnish Federation of the Hard of Hearing, Cancer Society of Finland and Finnish Centre for Health Promotion. Project is also sponsored by Hermia Business Development and Finnish Science Centre Heureka.
  • Research Partners: TUT (Unit of Human-Centred Technology IHTE and Department of Biomedical Engineering), University of Tampere (TAUCHI-unit and eHealth research group / Department of Computer Sciences and School of Public Health), TAMK and PirAMK
  • International Research Partners: University of$ Santa Barbara (UCSB), Stanford University, Sendai-Finland Wellbeing Center (FWBC), Tohoku University, Tohoku Fukushi University and Okayama University.
  • Duration: 2008 - 2010
  • Contact: Heli Väätäjä, Kaisa Väänänen-Vainio-Mattila

TOPI - Collaboration with Tampere Unit for Computer-Human Interaction

The goal of TOPI project is to collaborate with Tampere Unit for Computer-Human Interaction (TAUCHI) on the research field of human computer interaction to offer high quality education for university students and to carry out internationally known HCI research.

  • Funding: Ministry of Education
  • Duration: 1.9.2007 - 31.12.2008
  • Contact: Teija Vainio

TUTKA - Tuotannonohjauksen Uudet Teknologiat tehokkaaseen Käyttöön

TUTKA-hankkeessa tutkitaan sosioteknisten mallien soveltuvuutta tuotantoteknologioiden käytön ja käyttöönoton suunnitteluun. Hankkeessa kehitetään malleja ja suosituksia teknologian käyttöönottoon ja liittämiseksi tuotannonohjausjärjestelmiin. Hankkeessa kartoitetaan uusien ICT-teknologioiden hyödyntämistä tuotannossa sekä suunnitellaan uusia tuotannonohjausperiaatteita käyttäjäkeskeisesti.

  • Funding: TEKES, 8 corporate partners
  • Research Partners: TUT, IHTE and Department of Industrial Management
  • Duration: 1.6.2006 - 31.05.2008
  • Contact: Project Manager Inka Vilpola

TÄPLÄ - Teknologiat Ääneen, moniaistisuuteen ja Puheeseen perustuvaan Läsnä-Älyyn

Hankkeessa kehitetään ääneen, puheeseen, konenäköön ja moniaistisuuteen perustuvia menetelmiä uudentyyppisiin jokapaikan tietotekniikan sovelluksiin. Tutkimuskohteina ovat teknologia, sovellukset ja käytettävyys. Ratkaisujen avulla halutaan parantaa turvallisuutta, viihtyvyyttä, järjestelmien automaattista toimintaa, edullisuutta sekä sovellusten loppukäyttäjälle näkyvän toiminnan laatua. Hanke esittelee sekä niitä ratkaisuja, jotka ovat toteutettavissa tällä hetkellä että tulevaisuuden ratkaisuja, jotka mahdollistuvat lähitulevaisuudessa tekniikan kypsymisen myötä. Projektissa kehitetään prototyyppitasolle sovelluksia, jotka kiinnostavat kuluttajia ja toimivat luonnollisena osana ympäristöä. Tutkimus keskittyy kahteen painopistealueeseen, joista toinen keskittyy äänipohjaisiin teknologioihin, ja toinen puheeseen ja moniaistisuuteen pohjautuviin teknologioihin. Painopistealueiden välillä on kiinteä vuorovaikutus koko hankkeen keston ajan.

  • Funding: TEKES
  • Research Partners: TUT / IHTE and Department of Signal Processing, UTa/Department of Computer Sciences, TAUCHI
  • Duration: 1.10.2007 - 31.9.2009
  • Contact: Hannu Soronen

UDOI - User Driven Open Innovation Booster

Involving users has emerged as an important point when developing new products and services. Involving users in innovation work is also relatively new tendency in producing services and products but it is seen as a possible way to find out users needs and ideas even in very early stages of design process.

User Driven Open Innovation Booster (UDOI) project especially concentrates on user creativity and the role of the user in service design. Our work in the project focuses on methods and tools for user driven open innovation and service user experience.

  • Funding: Tekes (TIVIT, ICT-shock)
  • Research Partners: Nokia/ NRC, TUT, UTA, Forum Virium, Medineuvo, Laurea, CKIR/HSE, TAIK, HIIT, TKK , VTT
  • Duration: 1.6.2008-31.5.2010
  • Contact: Jari Halonen

VALU - Tools for Identifying Users' Needs and Values in Designing Successful Techonology Products

The goal of the project is to improve the understanding of users' technology related needs and values and their role in product and service development work. The research goal is to investigate how technology companies can identify user needs and values for product and service development purposes. In order to reach the goal, the project will first develop a model describing user values and needs related to use of technological products or services and then develop tools, guidelines and practices to identify the user needs and values in practical development work. The information on user values is particularly useful in defining user requirements when developing new consumer product concepts and evaluating the value impact of design solutions. The project will be focusing on consumer products and mobile services and technologies.

  • Funding: TEKES, 5 corporate partners
  • Research Partners: TUT, IHTE and HANKEN, Svenska handelshögskolan
  • Duration: 1.1.2007 - 31.3.2009
  • Contact: Project manager Piia Nurkka

ÄES - Älykkäiden ympäristöjen ekologinen suunnittelu

Hankkeessa selvitetään älykkäiden ympäristöjen ekologiaa ihmisen, tekniikan, ympäristöjen ja suunnittelumenetelmien näkökulmasta. Hankkeessa laaditaan hyvän älykkään ympäristön tunnusmerkit ja kehitetään menetelmiä, joiden avulla voidaan suunnitella, toteuttaa ja ottaa käyttöön hyviä älykkäitä ympäristöjä.

Julkaisu: Älykkäiden ympäristöjen suunnittelu - Kohti ekologista systeemiajattelua

  • Funding: Tekes
  • Duration 1.1.2005 - 31.12.2006
  • Contact: Hannu Soronen
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