Organizational Unit:

School of Interactive Computing

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https://hdl.handle.net/1853/70783

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Organizational Unit

College of Computing

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https://finding-aids.library.gatech.edu/agents/corporate_entities/1113

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Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 26

FIDO—Facilitating interactions for dogs with occupations: wearable communication interfaces for working dogs

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2015-01) Jackson, Melody Moore ; Valentin, Giancarlo ; Freil, Larry ; Burkeen, Lily ; Zeagler, Clint ; Gilliland, Scott ; Currier, Barbara ; Starner, Thad

Working dogs have improved the lives of thousands of people throughout history. However, communication between human and canine partners is currently limited. The main goal of the FIDO project is to research fundamental aspects of wearable technologies to support communication between working dogs and their handlers. In this study, the FIDO team investigated on-body interfaces for dogs in the form of wearable technology integrated into assistance dog vests. We created five different sensors that dogs could activate based on natural dog behaviors such as biting, tugging, and nose touches. We then tested the sensors on-body with eight dogs previously trained for a variety of occupations and compared their effectiveness in several dimensions. We were able to demonstrate that it is possible to create wearable sensors that dogs can reliably activate on command, and to determine cognitive and physical factors that affect dogs’ success with body–worn interaction technology.
Special Editorial from Michael Best

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2012) Best, Michael L.
From the Editors

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011) Best, Michael L. ; Bar, François
Exploring Facets of Community

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011) Best, Michael L. ; Bar, François
The Contribution of User-Based Subsidies to the Impact and Sustainability of Telecenters: The eCenter Project in Kyrgyzstan

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010) Best, Michael L. ; Thakur, Dhanaraj ; Kolko, Beth

We examine the extent to which user-based subsidies can promote the financial/social sustainability and development impact of telecenters. We do this by looking at a coupon scheme used by the USAID funded eCenter network in Kyrgyzstan. We found that user-based subsidies have, to a certain degree, aided financial sustainability by bringing new users to the center. However, the distribution of the coupons did not improve social sustainability since, for instance, the process favored more regular users of the eCenters. Finally, the coupon program had a limited development impact on participating communities. We argue that, if the eCenters had narrowly targeted particular participants for the coupon programs, it is likely that the benefits of the program could have been enhanced. A method of incentivizing eCenter management to perform such targeting is probably required.
Building on Seven Years of Collaborative Effort

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010) Best, Michael L. ; Tomaya, Kentaro ; Bar, François
Uses of Mobile Phones in Post-Conflict Liberia

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010) Best, Michael L. ; Smyth, Thomas N. ; Etherton, John ; Wornyo, Edem

Liberia is a country emerging from years of protracted and devastating civil conflict. Left without any fixed-line telephone infrastructure, it relies solely on the mobile phone for telephony. This study investigates the usage of mobile phones in this immediate post-conflict setting. In particular, we adopt the uses and gratifications approach to media research, giving focus to both instrumental and intrinsic motivations for use. We surveyed 85 mobile phone users in both the capital city of Monrovia and various rural areas, as well as interviewing experts from two major service providers and the industry regulator. Users were interviewed using the Q methodology, which identified distinct perspectives within these urban and rural groups. These identified perspectives included sets of users who saw their phones as productivity enhancers, means of connectivity to family and friends, essential business tools, technological curiosities, and sources of personal security. The idea of a phone as a stylish object was markedly rejected, especially in rural areas. Expert interviews confirmed and supplemented these findings. We contrast these results from Liberia with previous work from Kigali, Rwanda, finding differences especially as related to security.
Understanding Our Knowledge Gaps: Or, Do We Have an ICT4D Field? And Do We Want One?

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010) Best, Michael L.
Forward

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010) Best, Michael L. ; Bar, François
Crossing the Disciplines

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009) Best, Michael L. ; Bar, François