The DFKI Evaluation Center for Language Technology

Recent Work

Multitasking with Xybernaut

• Nature of the system:
  • Small handheld PC with a basic indoor navigation system based on infrared sensors
    • REAL software developed by the Department of Computer Science, Saarbrücken University
  • Directions via maps visible to the user from the system screen
• The system is configured for a planned route in the Computer Science department at Saarbrücken University
• Questions:
• How can a user manage multitasking with a mobile system?
• How do users combine the following tasks:
  • Walking
  • Scrolling
  • View room
• Study performed with the ASL Model 501 mobile eye tracker
• See the videos recorded during the study
• Results:
  • PERT diagrams (click on the picture / link to enlarge the diagram)

    		Walking
    		Scrolling
    		View Room
    		The Challenge of Multitasking

  • Event tables (generated from the videos recorded during the session)
    • Main differences in subjects:
      • Event-driven
        
        • Interested in starting to perform the task
        • Once there was an event, the user adjusted their plan to solve the task
      • Plan-driven
        
        • Developing a strategy for each task through map dragging
        • Having an understanding how they are positioned on the map relative to the environment
• Publications on this subject: see Norlien (2002)