International Research Partnership

Location Aware Smart Spaces

(2014-2015)

Human Computer Interaction Mobile Computing Internet of Things

Human Computer Interaction (HCI) Mobile Computing (MC) Internet of Things (IoT)

Project Overview

Demonstrated seamful design techniques for BLE-based indoor experiences through the Ghost Detector museum game.

This project explores how Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology enables location-based experiences in public spaces. Rather than eliminating technical limitations, the research advocates a “seamful approach” that exploits signal fluctuations as part of the user experience. Position and orientation of the user in combination with environmental factors, such as crowds of people, were found to cause major fluctuations of the received BLE signal strength.

The project includes two main components:

The Ghost Detector - an educational museum game for children demonstrating seamful design principles, turning signal variability into part of the interaction
Domestic Bluetooth beacon measurements - examining how location sensing functions in home environments, treating context as a socially constructed element rather than a purely technical problem

This research offered insights for future indoor location sensing designs.