HICSS-36
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES TRACK


Co-Chair: Ralph H. Sprague, Jr.
University of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
Phone: (808) 956-7082 Fax: (808) 956-9889
sprague@cba.hawaii.edu

  Co-Chair: Hesham El-Rewini
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, Texas 75275-3085
Phone: (214) 768-3278
Fax: (214) 768-3085
Email: rewini@engr.smu.edu

 

Augmented Cognition and Human-Robot Interaction

The technical area and topics that this mini-track addresses is the need for research on how people interact with computer systems to facilitate their tasks. We particularly seek papers that describe studies related to facets of augmented cognition and human-robot interaction.

Different levels of expertise and aptitude mean different people vary greatly in cognitive capabilities. These capabilities of any one person can vary greatly over time because of stress, fatigue, injuries, attention lapses, and distractions. In order to augment the cognition of any individual, one must first assess the real-time cognitive capabilities of that individual and then tailor the augmentation to the individual's current cognitive capabilities.

Research is needed to develop and test algorithms that combine ways to create metrics to assess cognitive load and to best adapt augmented cognition systems when a person's cognitive load changes. A computer system can employ a user model to reduce the information load by presenting only data that is relevant to the user's current task (user-model-based information-filtering). Research is needed to develop and test algorithms for adaptive information filtering in order to develop cognitive design criteria for more effective augmented cognition human-computer systems.

In the domain of human-robot interaction, several new design approaches are emerging. One problem is the amount of effort needed for humans to supervise mobile robots. While Unmanned Air Vehicles have been successful, mobile ground robots have major obstacles to overcome in dealing with the physical world. While human-robot interactions are moving to speech and gesture interactions, many robots use teleoperation as a default control mechanism. In order to increase efficiency, one approach currently undertaken by the robotic community to make more robust algorithms for sensing the physical world. Another approach is to look at making the human- robot interactions more efficient so that the operator or supervisor would be able to quickly recognize situations, and the appropriate information would be available for diagnosing and acting under those circumstances. The effects of these might be measured by technologies that give researchers new cost-effective tools for evaluation of how people work and learn while interacting with computer systems.

We seek papers related to all facets of augmented cognition and human-robot interaction. Empirical studies, field studies or case studies are appropriate. Topics may include but are not limited to the following:

- Evaluation methodologies for augmented cognition or human-robotic interactions
- measures of cognitive load
- evaluation of user models
- user-model-based information-filtering
- mixed initiative dialogs (humans and robots)
- taxonomies of human- robot interactions
- modalities used for human-robot interactions
- Modification of robotic architectures to include humans
- Domain specific challenges for augmented cognition or human-robotic interaction

Martha E. Crosby (primary contact)
Department of Information and Computer Sciences
University of Hawaii at Manoa
1680 East West Center Road POST 317
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-3493
Fax: (808) 956-3548
crosby@hawaii.edu

Jean Scholtz
Visualization and Usability Group
NIST, MS 8940
100 Bureau Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
Tel: 301-975-2520
jean.scholtz@nist.gov

Traci H. Downs
Novasol
1100 Alakea Plaza, 23rd Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813
Tel: (808) 441-3607
Fax: (808) 441-3601
traci@nova-sol.com

 

IT-enabled Management of Government
(e-Gov-Management)

Citizens expect and demand governmental services matching private-sector services in every aspect of quality, quantity, and availability in a 24/7 and year-round fashion. Governments are struggling to meet these expectations and demands. However, local, state, and federal agencies around the world are deploying information systems and services that have the capacity to meet the service needs and demands of citizens. This minitrack invites papers that report on the characteristics, development, implementation, and uses of such systems.   

Jon P. Gant
School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Indiana University
1315 East Tenth St.
Bloomington IN 47405
Tel: (812) 855-0732 or 0734
jgant@indiana.edu

Matthias Günter
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
Einsteinstrasse 2
CH-3003 Bern
Switzerland
Tel: +41 (31) 325 25 25
Fax: +41 (31) 325 25 26
matthias.guenter@ipi.ch

Theresa A. Pardo
Center for Technology in Government
University at Albany
1535 Western Avenue
Albany NY 12203-3513
Tel: (518) 442-3892
Fax: (518) 442-3886
tpardo@ctg.albany.edu

 

Policy for IT-enabled Public Administration (e-Policy)

This minitrack is a direct successor to the previous e-Policy minitrack. It will address access rights, privacy protection, public safety, security, and information dissemination in the context of government information systems. The digital divide and other infrastructure and educational issues are also addressed by this minitrack.

Bianca von Bredow
University of Zurich
Department of Information Technology,
Winterthurerstr. 190
CH-8057 Zürich
Switzerland
Tel: +41-1-635 43 28
bvonbred@ifi.unizh.ch

Anthony Cresswell
Center for Technology in Government
University at Albany
1535 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203-3513
Tel: (518) 442-3892
Fax: (518) 442-3886
tcresswell@ctg.albany.edu

Maria Wimmer
University of Linz
Institute of Applied Computer Science
Altenbergerstr. 69
A-4040 Linz
Austria
Tel: +43-732-2468 9586
mw@ifs.uni-linz.ac.at

 

IT-enabled Democracy (e-Democracy)

 Information technology, in general, and the Internet, in particular, has changed citizens' expectations regarding the degree of involvement and the immediacy of participation in the public sector. Electronic voting, virtual town meetings, public monitoring of elected officials, and new approaches to authenticating personal identity are examples of opportunities for enhancement but also of potential threats to civil liberties. This minitrack attracts studies on enabling technologies for IT-enabled democracy and also on the policy implications of such technologies.

Sharon S. Dawes
Center for Technology in Government
University at Albany
1535 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203-3513
Tel: (518) 442-3892
Fax: (518) 442-3886
sdawes@ctg.albany.edu

Michael Gisler
Federal Department of Computer Sciences and Telecommunication
Monbijoustrasse 74
CH-3003 Bern
Switzerland
Tel: +031 325 90 11
Tel: +031 325 90 30
michael.gisler@bit.admin.ch

Eric Welch
Department of Public Administration
University of Illinois at Chicago
412 South Peoria Street, Room 140
Chicago IL 60607
Tel: (312) 413-2416
Fax: (312) 996-8804
ewwelch@uic.edu

 

IT-enabled Government Services (e-Gov-Services)

 Citizens expect and demand governmental services matching private-sector services in every aspect of quality, quantity, and availability in a 24/7 and year-round fashion. Governments are struggling to meet these expectations and demands. However, local, state, and federal agencies around the world are deploying information systems and services that have the capacity to meet the service needs and demands of citizens. This minitrack invites papers that report on the characteristics, development, implementation, and uses of such systems.

Heide Bruecher
CCeGov
Institute for Business and Administration
University of Applied Sciences of Berne
Eigerplatz 5
CH-3007 Bern
Switzerland
Tel: +41 (31) 370 00 20
Fax: +41 (31) 370 00 21
heide.bruecher@hsw.bfh.ch

Ralf Klischewski
Hamburg University
Department for Informatics
Vogt-Koelln-Str. 30
22527 Hamburg
Germany
Tel: +49-40-42883-2299/2310 (fax: -2303)
klischewski@informatik.uni-hamburg.de

Hans J. (Jochen) Scholl
Center for Technology in Government
University at Albany
1535 Western Avenue
Albany NY 12203-3513
Tel: (518) 442-3937
Fax: (518) 442-3886
jscholl@ctg.albany.edu

 

Telecommunication and Network Convergence: Theory and Practice

Introduction of digital technologies, telecommunications deregulation and significant advances in broadband networking are fueling convergence of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), PC-based enterprise data networks and the Internet. Only a few years ago, computing, telecommunications, broadcasting and media were completely separate industries each following distinct business logic and building on technologies that had little overlap. Today the Internet Protocol (IP) is clearly becoming a common global packet-platform over which several new and exciting applications and services can be offered. The rapid emergence of “converged networks” is already having far reaching impact on business processes.  As the Internet continues to evolve into a critical global infrastructure, there is a clear need to understand the technical, economic and regulatory issues posed by convergence, before it can be used effectively for competitive advantage.

This minitrack seeks papers that address different aspects of the phenomenon of network convergence, including technology, strategy and policy.  By network convergence we imply the integration of several media applications (data, voice, video, images) onto a common packet-based platform provided by IP (Internet Protocol) with the global Internet now becoming a true multi-service infrastructure. Theoretical and simulation models, case studies, or field experiences are all welcome.

Topics include but are not limited to:

For additional information or to submit abstracts, please contact:

 Samir Chatterjee                                                Amitava Dutta
Associate Professor                                               Eakin Endowed Chair in E-Commerce
School of Information Science                                School of Management 
Claremont Graduate University                               George Mason University   
Claremont CA 91711                                            Fairfax VA 22030                     
Tel:  (909) 607-4651                                             Tel: (703) 993-1779
Fax:  (909) 621-8564                                            Fax: (703) 993-1809                                     
samir.chatterjee@cgu.edu                                      adutta@som.gmu.edu

 

Web-Based Education (Wbe) Diffussion Across Disciplines and Global Boundaries

 

The main objective of this proposed minitrack is to learn from faculty and administrator’s experiences. Many faculty have suggested and are currently offering courses on the web, but there is no pool of knowledge available that would be useful for beginners. At this point, information is sporadic and disorganized, and in many cases does not exist. No models, theories or practical experiments have yet emerged. This track would address the many trends and issues associated with Web-Based Education, and explore the opportunities and problems confronting colleges and universities to effectively utilize and manage WBE in their teaching environments.

The minitrack will focus on the conceptual design, implementation, use, and evaluation of IT systems in both controlled and organizational settings. We will encourage a wide variety of research topics and research approaches, particularly those that are likely to promote discussion. These include, but are not limited to:

Anil Aggarwal                                         Ron Legon
Lockheed Martin Research                       Professor Provost & Director eLearning
Merrick School of Business                       Merrick School of Business  
University of Baltimore                              University of Baltimore
1420 N. Charles Street                             1420 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201                               Baltimore, MD 21201
Tel: 410 837-5275                                    Tel: 410-837-5244
Fax: 410 837 5722                                   Fax: 410-837-5249
Email: aaggarwal@ubmail.ubalt.edu            rlegon@ubmail.ubalt.edu