The SmartMMI research project was presented in the Messe Karlsruhe magazine on Baden TV. Our passenger cabin equipped with the smart light rail window received special interest. This passenger cabin will be exhibited at the international conference and trade fair IT-TRANS from March 3 to 5, 2020 (from minute 7:45).
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User study on the usability of icons used on SmartWindow
On Thursday, January 16, 2020, a user study on the usability of the icons used on the SmartWindow took place in the IUMS laboratory. The aim was to find out the understanding and usability of our current interaction and visualization concepts with regard to the use of the icons on the SmartWindow and on the smartphone. The evaluation method “Card-Sorting” from the user experience design was used for this study.
Presentation of the SmartMMI Laboratory Prototype
The delegation of the National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech) consisting of 22 students, four professors and two assistants visited their partner university on July 3 and 4, 2019 at the University of Applied Sciences Karlsruhe. The aim of the visit was the exchange of current research activities of both universities as well as the formulation of joint priorities for future cooperation.
User study to pre-test evaluation methods for the SmartMMI field test
SmartMMI includes the development of a working prototype of a semi-transparent, interactive display for public transport vehicles. In this user study we were able to test several design prototypes in our mockup tram compartment and gained valuable insight on the usability of several aspects of our prototypes.
Additionally, towards the end of our project, a field test is planned. Two prototypical semi-transparent displays will be implemented in a tram of the local public transport provider. We are currently planning the usability evaluation of our system in the field and in order to do that, we conducted a study to test various evaluation methods in the mockup tram department. We wanted to determine the best suitable evaluation methods for subsequent studies in real public transport environments. Based on the results of this study, we developed our evaluation concept for the upcoming field test.
SmartMMI presented at the first UITP training in Karlsruhe
Under the title “Context-Sensitive Travel Companion on Smart Public Displays in Public Transport”, the IUMS presented the first project results from SmartMMI to the participants of the first UITP training in Karlsruhe on 22nd November.
The SmartMMI project focuses on improving the information provision of passengers along their mobility chain. The industry and research partners combine a variety of data sources into an intelligent public transport data platform and explore ways to present the information to passengers on semi-transparent displays (SmartWindows) and on personal mobile devices (smartphones or smartwatches).
Conducting a User Study to Evaluate our SmartMMI Prototype
On Thursday, the second of May 2019, a large user study took place in the IUMS lab. The aim was to find out the usability of our current interaction and visualization concepts at SmartWindow as well as the interaction between SmartWindow and Smartphone. Different evaluation methods were used at different stages of the study.
SmartMMI’s SmartWindow – the Railway Window of the Future
A glance at the train window and the passenger is already informed about passing sights and their connections. What sounds a bit like science fiction is currently being researched in the research project “Model and context-based mobility information on Smart Public Displays and mobile devices in public transport”, or SmartMMI for short. Passengers in public transport want to be well informed in every situation. The project therefore focuses on improving the information supply of passengers along their mobility chain. Depending on the situation, and also on the passenger, the need for information changes – whether in the event of a fault, when plans are changed, to tourist destinations or to services available along the route, SmartMMI is investigating how passengers can be informed as appropriate to the situation as possible.
Completion of the Passenger Cabin Prototype for User Studies in SmartMMI
In the middle of April 2019 our newest SmartMMI Demonstrator was completed. The design and manufacture of the wooden superstructure was performed with a carpenter from Karlsruhe. This demonstrator is a detailed replica of a railway cabin of the Karlsruhe trams. The completed demonstrator is used as an integrative prototype of the second iteration within the SmartMMI research project. This means that the previously developed components come together in this prototype to be thoroughly tested. The tests also include user studies to evaluate the usability of the SmartMMI system and the interaction with it.
Science Festival EFFEKTE 2019: IUMS presents SmartMMI passenger cabin
The passenger cabin from our research project SmartMMI was presented on 6 and 7 July 2019 at the EFFEKTE 2019 science festival in Karlsruhe. IUMS team members showed the visitors the latest visualization and interaction concepts. It was also possible to try out and play with the urban railway Window of the future. The feedback of many visitors was quite positive, they were very open-minded about the use of the new technological facilities. Many visitors are already looking forward to the field test, in which a train equipped with the SmartMMI system will be travelling in the KVV network for six months. The interest of many visitors went beyond just trying out the system. Therefore, they were enrolled in a group of test persons for upcoming user studies. In the future, these test persons can be contacted in order to help User-centered design and try out the future changes.The SmartMMI project will develop multi-stage solutions up to 2020 and will run various users experiments test, so interested persons can contact the institute.
Video of Hochschule Karlsruhe – Technik und Wirtschaft showing the stand at the Science Festival EFFEKTE 2019
First SmartMMI prototype at IT-TRANS 2018
IT-TRANS took place in Karlsruhe from 6 to 8 March – one of the largest trade fairs for IT trends, innovations and intelligent solutions for public transport. The IUMS was represented there at the booth of the Technology Region Karlsruhe (No. 120). Prof. Thomas Schlegel presented the research project SmartMMI on March 7, 2018 in the context of “Karlsruhe moves the world: Cluster for Transport Excellence” in the Market Update Forum A and under the title “Intelligent traveller information systems” in the TRK Forum.