ICT and New Human-machine Interactions for Trucks and Buses of the Future - Human-Computer Interactions in Transport - page 161

RFID 1 labels [FIN 03], ad hoc networks, WiFi, IR (infrared) or ZigBee. All these
elements contribute to the set up of the RAE. We will comment more specifically on
the main concepts deployed hereafter.
Wearable computing assumes all its importance in this context. It consists of a
recent trend in computing where different devices are “embedded” in the mobile
user and are interconnected via a computer accessory, the heart of the system with
other, often distant, elements. Wearable computing raises new stakes [PLO 04],
[TAP 09].
Augmented reality (AR) is mainly defined as the addition of digital or virtual
elements to objects of the real world. The aim is to create new tools, similar to
everyday tools, but augmented with specific abilities brought about by computing.
Visual augmentation is most often perceived by the user through a visualization
headset allowing the overlay of digital images onto the direct vision of the real
world with the help of a semi-transparent mirror. However AR is not limited to
vision and can involve all the senses: hearing, touch and, why not, smell and taste
on the condition of having ad hoc devices .
Context is a very important notion; we define it in the same way as [DEY 00]
which puts three aspects forward (environment-platform-user preferences) which
translate our concerns very accurately. The consideration of the context is
unavoidable as, once it is captured and interpreted, it enables us to appropriately
assist the user, that is to say by taking into account his situation (place and
preoccupations: environment, platform: the computer accessory he is using, as well
as his personal preferences). It is via this consideration in particular that the user
interface can be adaptable and proactive.
In situ storage is a vital characteristic, for in the mobile applications sensitive to
context it is important to easily access information describing and characterizing this
context. Environmental objects (bar-codes, RFID tags, ZigBee or other markers) can
provide this static information to the mobile devices which detect them, or enable
them to access a richer content by acting as user ID to the distant server, accessible
via the wireless network containing a PDMS (product data management system).
Nonetheless, in certain mobile applications, it is not possible to systematically
count on network access availability and in this case it is necessary to have
contextualized information on site to ensure efficiency. The in situ storage of
dynamic information therefore constitutes an important requirement for certain
1 Radio-identification, most often designated by the acronym RFID ( Radio Frequency
IDentification ), is a method for memorizing and recuperating remote data by using markers
called “radio-labels”.