UbiComp in the Office: Examples of ubiquitous computing technologies in office environments

Thesis Type:

The thesis can be done as diploma or master's thesis.

The thesis can be done as semester thesis.

The DUS research group:

The Distributed and Ubiquitous Systems (DUS) research group works together with well-known international partners from research and industry in the field of ubiquitous and pervasive computing systems.

Ubiquitous Computing:

A vision of ubiquitous computing is the invisible computer. Computer as visible elements of our environment disappear. To the human user, the environment or everyday things become the user interface. All in one computing systems are substituted by specialized, well-designed appliances. The user no longer has the feeling to interact with a computing system but with common everyday objects in his environment.

Project Description:

Ubiquitous Computing, the ubiquitous integration of computing technologies in e.g. everyday objects is a recent research field in computer science.

In this thesis 5 (2 if done as semester thesis) example applications of ubiquitous computing technologies have to be realized. The scenario for all applications is a normal office environment. To discover candidate appliances the current work practices and usage of information technology has to be analysed. Together with the members of the DUS research group 5 (2 if done as semester thesis) appliances will be chosen for implementation and deployment. The usability and utility has to be evaluated with a user study.

The implementation of the appliances will be using cParts, uParts or pParts (low-power, small-scale wireless sensor nodes). The nodes will be programmed in C. The application software can be realized in Python and will be running on Linux and Windows computer systems.

Work Context:

We offer:

• Integration in German, European and international projects
• Strong connection to practial problem domains and good industry relationships
• Creative and dynamic working context with a strong international focus
• Direct contact with the computer science institute and with the research group and its members

We request:

• communication skills, creativity, self and time management
• fluent German language skill, English a plus
• Willingness to acquire new knowledge and its application
• Personal initiative and presence in the research lab