OBJECTIVES – ATTENTION AWARE SYSTEMS

Cognitive ICT

The Studio for Pervasive Computing Applications is concerned with the development of innovative interaction modalities for application in future human-machine interaction scenarios. In view of the exponentially growing information density, this must be geared to the underlying human interaction resource – his attention.

The “Cognitive ICT” approach represents a fundamental paradigm shift in the design of innovative ICT systems, in which awareness plays a fundamental role. Existing methods of context and activity awareness are extended and complemented by social structures (Socio-Aware ICT), interpretation of user behaviour and underlying motivations (Socio-Inspired ICT), up to the detection and modelling of qualitative attention states and distributions of users in their interaction with information systems (Cognitive ICT). Instead of all-purpose computers and individual devices, a multitude of small, embedded, spontaneously networked and wirelessly communicating systems are used, which interact in a goal-oriented manner in order to unobtrusively support people in the best possible way in the most diverse activities and to relieve their cognitive burden.

Cognitive ICT-based technologies, for example, enable people to be confronted only with information that is relevant and desired in the current situation, rather than just serving as a medium for the prevailing information overload. In security-relevant activities with high responsibility and cognitive workload, such technologies can detect and avoid distractions and draw attention to critical areas and situations. These technologies make use of different sensory channels to ensure the critical transmission of information even in stressful situations.

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