Fraunhofer Fit Seeks Student Researcher For Ubicomp Prototyping

Student Job Serious Games: prototyping ubiquitous computing Background Fraunhofer FIT is developing a system for prototyping ubiquitous computing (UbiComp) applications. This system allows users to try UbiComp prototypes both in a virtual environment and the real world, with the prototypes being either completely virtual, completely real, or a mix of both. The prototypes’ functionality as well as environmental conditions may be partly simulated, making it possible to try and evaluate prototypes that are yet impossible or impractical to build or use. The core of the system is a distributed multiplayer environment through which both real and virtual clients can interact with a mixed-reality simulation. One application focus for the system is ICT support for emergency situations, including fires, earthquakes and large-scale incidents. The dedicated system for this purpose is called FireSim. For example, FireSim is currently being used to investigate navigational support systems for firefighters. See www.firesim.eu.

Job Description This job is focused on implementing prototypes with the UbiComp prototyping system. Most importantly, the prototypes have to be actually usable by the targeted user groups, which currently are mostly emergency response professionals such as firefighters and earthquake response teams. Therefore, the engineering focus is on creating appropriate interfaces and interactions. The job also includes programming the behaviour and interactions of prototypes both in the virtual environment and for physical UbiComp systems. From an engineering perspective, this includes interfacing with the UbiComp prototyping system through c++ and writing the software for the prototypes in either c++ or other languages appropriate for the hardware platform. The programming requires good software engineering in terms of extensibility, flexibility, consistency, and performance. From a conceptual perspective, the job includes understanding the work practices of the targeted users to be supported by the UbiComp systems and participating in the design and evaluation of appropriate interfaces and forms of interaction. It also includes addressing the methodological questions of mixed-reality UbiComp prototyping. The job is located at Fraunhofer FIT, Sankt Augustin.

Skills Required: z software engineering z object-oriented analysis and design z interest in ubiquitous computing z interest in human-computer interaction z structured and independent working style z active communication Advantageous: z c++ z interface and interaction design z interest in user studies

Benefits z Learning from experienced researchers and developers z Participation in on-going research projects z Option to participate in user studies across Europe z Option to carry out a master or diploma thesis in collaboration with RWTH Informatik 5 z Option to co-publish on the work z Well-equipped working environment

Questions and Applications Markus Klann Fraunhofer FIT Schloss Birlinghoven 53754 Sankt Augustin [email protected]

www.firesim.eu