Mostly Passive Information Delivery – a Prototype

Abstract

In this paper we introduce a new UI paradigm that mimics radio broadcast along with a prototype called Radio One. The approach aims to present useful information from multiple domains to mobile users (e.g. drivers on the go or cell phone users). The information is served in an entertaining manner in a mostly passive style – without the user having to ask for it– as in real radio broadcast. The content is generated on the fly by a machine and integrates a mix of personal (calendar, emails) and publicly available but customized information (news, weather, POIs). Most of the spoken audio output is machine synthesized. The implemented prototype permits passive listening as well as interaction using voice commands or buttons. Initial feedback gathered while testing the prototype while driving indicates good acceptance of the system and relatively low distraction levels.