Search Results (101)

Field workers require expeditious and pertinent access to information to execute their duties, frequently in arduous environments. Conventional document search interfaces are ill-suited to these contexts, while fully automated approaches often lack the capacity to adapt to the variability of situations. This article explores a hybrid approach based on the use of specialized small language models (SLMs), combining natural language interaction, context awareness (static and dynamic), and structured command generation. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of providing contextualized assistance for mobile agents using an intelligent conversational agent, while ensuring that reasonable resource consumption is maintained. The present case study pertains to the supervision of illumination systems on a university campus by technical agents. The static and the dynamic contexts are integrated into the user command to generate a prompt that queries a previously fine-tuned SLM. The methodology employed, the construction of five datasets for the purposes of evaluation, and the refinement of selected SLMs are presented herein. The findings indicate that models of smaller scale demonstrate the capacity to comprehend natural language queries and generate responses that can be effectively utilized by a tangible system. This work opens prospects for intelligent, resource-efficient, and contextualized assistance in industrial or constrained environments. Full article

This paper critiques Hava Tirosh-Samuelson’s view of transhumanism as techno-idolatry by applying Derrida’s notion of the unconditional “to-come” and the generalized fetish. While acknowledging Tirosh-Samuelson’s stance that fetishes should not be reduced to idols, I argue that she fails to extend this understanding to transhumanism, instead depicting its fetishes as fixed idols. Drawing on Derrida’s notion of the generalized fetish, I argue that religious objects in Judaism (like the shofar or tefillin) function not as objects of worship but as material mediators of divine relation—tangible signs that carry symbolic, spiritual, and covenantal meaning while gesturing toward the divine without claiming to contain or represent it. Similarly, in transhumanism, brain-computer interfaces and AI act as fetishes that extend human capability and potential while remaining open to future reinterpretation. These fetishes, reflecting Derrida’s idea of the unconditional “to-come,” resist closure and allow for ongoing change and reinterpretation. By reducing transhumanism to mere idolatry, Tirosh-Samuelson overlooks how technological fetishes function as dynamic supplements, open to future possibilities and ongoing reinterpretation, which can be both beneficial and harmful to humanity now and in the future. Full article

A principal factor of the fourth Industrial Revolution is the Internet of Things (IoT), a network of “smart” objects that communicate by exchanging helpful information about themselves and their environment. Our research aims to address the gaps in the existing literature regarding the educational and technological affordances of IoT applications in learning environments in secondary education. Our systematic review using the PRISMA method allowed us to extract 25 empirical studies from the last 10 years. We present the categorization of educational and technological affordances, as well as the devices used in these environments. Moreover, our findings indicate widespread adoption of organized educational activities and design-based learning, often incorporating tangible interfaces, smart objects, and IoT applications, which enhance student engagement and interaction. Additionally, we identify the impact of IoT-based learning on knowledge building, autonomous learning, student attitude, and motivation. The results suggest that the IoT can facilitate personalized and experiential learning, fostering a more immersive and adaptive educational experience. Based on these findings, we discuss key recommendations for educators, policymakers, and researchers, while also addressing this study’s limitations and potential directions for future research. Full article

Museums serve as essential cultural centers, yet their mostly visual exhibits restrict access for blind and partially sighted (BPS) individuals. While recent technological advances have started to bridge this gap, many accessibility solutions focus mainly on basic inclusion rather than promoting independent exploration. This research addresses this limitation by creating features that enable visitors’ independence through customizable interaction patterns and self-paced exploration. It improved upon existing interactive tangible user interfaces (ITUIs) by enhancing their audio content and adding more flexible user control options. A mixed-methods approach evaluated the ITUI’s usability, ability to be used independently, and user satisfaction. Quantitative data were gathered using ITUI-specific satisfaction, usability, comparison, and general preference scales, while insights were obtained through notes taken during a think-aloud protocol as participants interacted with the ITUIs, direct observation, and analysis of video recordings of the experiment. The results showed a strong preference for a Pushbutton-based ITUI, which scored highest in usability (M = 87.5), perceived independence (72%), and user control (76%). Participants stressed the importance of tactile interaction, clear feedback, and customizable audio features like volume and playback speed. These findings underscore the vital role of user control and precise feedback in designing accessible museum experiences. Full article

This article examines the evolution and potential cross-cultural adaptations of the “Goddess of the Flaming Mouth”, Jvālāmukhī (Skt.) or Kha ‘bar ma (Tib.), in Indic and Tibetan traditions. A minor figure in medieval Hindu Tantras, Jvālāmukhī is today best known through her tangible manifestation as natural flames in a West Himalayan temple complex in the valley of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. The gap between her sparse portrayal in Tantric texts and her enduring presence at this local “seat of power” (śakti pīṭha) raises questions regarding her historical development and sectarian affiliations. To address these questions, we examine mentions of Jvālāmukhī’s Tibetan counterpart, Kha ‘bar ma, across a wide range of textual sources: canonical Buddhist texts, original Tibetan works of the Bön and Buddhist traditions, and texts on sacred geography. Regarded as a queen of ghost spirits (pretas) and field protector (kṣetrapāla) in Buddhist sources, her portrayal in Bön texts contain archaic motifs that hint at autochthonous and/or non-Buddhist origins. The assessment of Indic material in conjunction with Tibetan texts point to possible transformations of the goddess across these culturally proximate Himalayan settings. In presenting and contextualizing these transitions, this article contributes critical data to ongoing efforts to map the development, adaptation, and localization of Tantric deities along the Indo-Tibetan interface. Full article

Extended-reality (XR) tools are increasingly used to revitalise museum experiences, but typical head-mounted or smartphone solutions tend to fragment audiences and suppress the social dialogue that makes cultural heritage memorable. This article addresses that gap on two fronts. First, it proposes a four-phase design methodology—spanning artifact selection, narrative framing, tangible-interface fabrication, spatial installation, software integration, validation, and deployment—that helps curators, designers, and technologists to co-create XR exhibitions in which co-presence, embodied action, and multisensory cues are treated as primary design goals rather than afterthoughts. Second, the paper reports LanternXR, a proof-of-concept built with the methodology: visitors share a 3D-printed replica of the fourteenth-century Virgin of Boixadors while wielding a tracked “camera” and a candle-like lantern that lets them illuminate, photograph, and annotate the sculpture inside a life-sized Gothic nave rendered on large 4K displays with spatial audio and responsive lighting. To validate the approach, the article presents an analytical synthesis of feedback from curators, museologists, and XR technologists, underscoring the system’s capacity to foster collaboration, deepen engagement, and broaden accessibility. The findings show how XR can move museum audiences from isolated immersion to collective, multisensory exploration. Full article

This research explored the integration of the real-time machine learning classification of motor imagery data with a brain–machine interface, leveraging prefabricated exoskeletons and an EEG headset integrated with virtual reality (VR). By combining these technologies, the study aimed to develop practical and scalable therapeutic applications for rehabilitation and daily motor training. The project showcased an optimized system designed to assess and train cognitive–motor functions in elderly individuals. Key innovations included a motor imagery EEG acquisition protocol for data classification and a machine learning framework leveraging deep learning with a wavelet packet transform for feature extraction. Comparative analyses were conducted with traditional models such as Support Vector Machines (SVMs), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. The performance was further enhanced through a random hyperparameter search, optimizing feature extraction and learning parameters to achieve high classification accuracy (89.23%). A novel VR fishing game was developed to dynamically respond to EEG outputs, enabling the performance of interactive motor imagery tasks in coordination with upper limb exoskeleton arms. While clinical testing is ongoing, the system demonstrates potential for increasing ERD/ERS polarization rates in alpha and beta waves among elderly users after several weeks of training. This integrated approach offers a tangible step forward in creating effective, user-friendly solutions for motor function rehabilitation. Full article

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, as well as memory and language comprehension difficulties. This study investigated the effects of a storytelling paradigm on language comprehension and memory skills in children with ASD. A traditional approach, using an illustrated book to deliver the narrative, was compared to a novel paradigm based on Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) combined with multisensory stimulation. A group of 28 children (ages between 6 and 10 years old) was asked to listen to a story over four weeks, two times a week, in two different experimental conditions. The experimental group (n = 14) engaged with the story using TUIs, while the control group (n = 14) interacted with a corresponding illustrated book. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using NEPSY-II subtests on language comprehension and memory. At the end of the intervention, a trend of improved performance was found. In particular, a greater number of subjects benefited from the intervention in the experimental group compared with the control group in instruction comprehension and narrative memory-cued recall. These preliminary findings suggest that TUIs may enhance learning outcomes for children with ASD, warranting further investigation into their potential benefits. Full article

We introduce ShapeBand, a new shape-changing wristband designed for exploring multisensory and interactive anxiety regulation with soft materials and physiological sensing. Our approach takes a core principle of self-help psychotherapeutic intervention, aiming to help users to recognize anxiety triggers and engage in regulation with attentional distraction. We conducted user-centered design activities to iteratively refine our design requirements and delve into users’ rich experiences, preferences, and feelings. With ShapeBand, we explored bidirectional and dynamic interaction flow in anxiety regulation and subjective factors influencing its use. Our findings suggest that integrating both active and passive modulations can significantly enhance user engagement for effective anxiety intervention. Further, different interactions, characterized by dynamic alterations in bubbles and water flow in the ShapeBand, can provide users with a gamified experience and convey more potent effects. This study provides valuable insights into the future design of tangible anxiety regulation interfaces that can be tailored to subjective feelings and individual needs. Full article

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently experience impairments in a range of abilities. Due to their poor attention and concentration, they find it challenging to stay focused when learning. They need help to retain the directions given by teachers and are very animated. Focus issues, hyperactivity, and attention problems may hamper learning. The needs and challenges of children with ADHD have been addressed by numerous digital solutions over the years. These solutions support a variety of needs (e.g., diagnosing versus treating), aim to address a variety of goals (e.g., addressing inattention, impulsivity, working memory, executive functions, emotion regulation), and employ a wide range of technologies, including video games, PC, mobile, web, AR, VR, tangible interfaces, wearables, robots, and BCI/neurofeedback, occasionally even in tandem. According to studies on the psychological impacts of serious games, immersive games can potentially be valuable tools for treating ADHD. This research investigates using PC, mobile/tablet applications, augmented reality, virtual reality, and brain–computer interfaces to develop executive functions and metacognitive and emotional competencies in children with ADHD through serious games. Following PRISMA 2020 criteria, this systematic review includes a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. The database search provided 784 records, and 30 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that serious games assisted by multiple technologies could significantly improve a wide range of cognitive and socioemotional meta-competencies among children with ADHD, including visuospatial working memory, attention, inhibition control, cognitive flexibility, planning/organizing, problem-solving, social communication, and emotional regulation. The results of this review may provide positive feedback for creating more inclusive digital training environments for the treatment of ADHD children. Full article

This paper examines the current generation of displays, as found primarily in smartphones, laptops and tablet computers, from an interaction design perspective. Today’s displays are multifunctional, versatile devices with a standardized, rectangular shape and a standardized interaction. We distinguish two pitfalls. First, they facilitate an interaction that is isolated and detached from the physical environment in which they are used. Second, their multi-touch interface provides users with few tangible clues and handles. From our background in embodied interaction, we establish an alternate, hypothetical vision of displays: the content-specific display. The content-specific display is defined as a display designed for one specific function and one type of on-screen content. We explore this concept in three student projects from the First Year Master’s program at Product Development, University of Antwerp, and present two key themes that emerge from it: causality and transformation. Both themes reside in the field of coupling, a concept well-known within the field of embodied interaction, and aim at a more seamless integration of on-screen content within the physical world. Finally, we discuss how the content-specific display influences the design process of digital products, and how it fosters collaboration between product designers and designers of graphical user interfaces. Full article

Every texture in the real world provides us with the essential information to identify the physical characteristics of real objects. In addition to sight, humans use the sense of touch to explore their environment. Through haptic interaction we obtain unique and distinct information about the texture and the shape of objects. In this paper, we enhance X3D 3D graphics files with haptic features to create 3D objects with haptic feedback. We propose haptic attributes such as static and dynamic friction, stiffness, and maximum altitude that provide the optimal user experience in a virtual haptic environment. After numerous optimization attempts on the haptic textures, we propose various haptic geometrical textures for creating a virtual 3D haptic environment for the tactile Internet. These tangible geometrical textures can be attached to any geometric shape, enhancing the haptic sense. We conducted a study of user interaction with a virtual environment consisting of 3D objects enhanced with haptic textures to evaluate performance and user experience. The goal is to evaluate the realism and recognition accuracy of each generated texture. The findings of the study aid visually impaired individuals to better understand their physical environment, using haptic devices in conjunction with the enhanced haptic textures. Full article

Energy modelling plays a crucial role in assisting governmental and policymaking bodies to strategise long-term investments within the context of energy transition. Among the well-established open-source optimisation models, OSeMOSYS—the Open-Source Energy Modelling System—stands out. This paper introduces clicSAND, a novel user interface designed for OSeMOSYS, aimed at reducing the learning curve and supporting novice energy modelers in efficiently conducting long-term investment analyses. clicSAND, freely available and open-source, features a user-friendly Excel interface for data input, integrated solvers, and a visualisation dashboard for result interpretation. The outcomes, projected up to 2070, hold the potential to inform policy decisions and mobilise financial resources for sustainable development endeavors, such as ensuring affordable and secure energy supply and mitigating climate change impacts. This advancement not only democratises access to energy modelling tools but also empowers policymakers and stakeholders to conduct thorough long-term investment analyses with ease. This paper elaborates on clicSAND’s key advantages, architecture, and functionalities. Additionally, it discusses the evolutionary journey from clicSAND 1.0 to 3.0, emphasising a commitment to continuous improvement and user-centric adaptation, thereby enhancing its utility and relevance. The inclusion of a South African case study, conducted during the EMP-A (Energy Modelling Platform for Africa) 2021 international capacity-building event, showcases clicSAND’s efficacy in facilitating knowledge transfer and skill development among inexperienced users, while providing a tangible example of its application in addressing specific regional energy challenges and policy contexts. Finally, current applications and future extensions of the software are also presented. Full article

This research examines the potential of digital twin (DT) technology for reformation within China’s traditional solid-wood-panel processing industry, which currently suffers from production inefficiencies and the slow adoption of digital technology. The research centers around developing a digital twin system, elucidating improvements in manufacturing efficiency, waste management, process simulation, and real-time monitoring. These capabilities facilitate immediate problem solving and offer transparency in the process. The digital twin system is comprised of physical, transport, virtual, and application layers, employing a MySQL database and using the Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) protocol for communication. The application of this system has led to heightened production efficiency and better material use in the solid-wood-panel manufacturing line. Integrating the dynamic selection adaptive genetic algorithm (DSAGA) into the virtual layer drives the system’s efficiency forward. This evolved approach has allowed for an enhancement of 8.93% in the scheduling efficiency of DSAGA compared to traditional genetic algorithms (GAs), thereby contributing to increased system productivity. Real-time mapping and an advanced simulation interface have strengthened the system’s monitoring aspect. These additions enrich data visualization, leading to better comprehension and a holistic process view. This research has ignited improvements in solid-wood-panel production, illustrating the tangible benefits and representing progress in incorporating digital technology into traditional industries. This research sets a path for transforming these industries into smart manufacturing by effectively bridging the gap between physical production and digital monitoring. Furthermore, the adjustability of this approach extends beyond solid-wood-panel production, indicating the capability to expedite movement towards intelligent production in various other manufacturing sectors. Full article

This paper presents a narrative review of the current practices in assessing learners’ cognitive abilities and the limitations of traditional intelligence tests in capturing a comprehensive understanding of a child’s learning potential. Referencing prior research, it explores the concept of dynamic assessment (DA) as a promising yet underutilised alternative that focuses on a child’s responsiveness to learning opportunities. The paper highlights the potential of novel technologies, in particular tangible user interfaces (TUIs), in integrating computational science with DA to improve the access and accuracy of assessment results, especially for children with communication support needs (CSN), as a catalyst for abetting critical communicative competencies. However, existing research in this area has mainly focused on the automated mediation of DA, neglecting the human element that is crucial for effective solutions in special education. A framework is proposed to address these issues, combining pedagogical and sociocultural elements alongside adaptive information technology solutions in an assessment system informed by user-centred design principles to fully support teachers/facilitators and learners with CSN within the special education ecosystem. Full article