Users want simple control over device selection

Abstract

When users want to combine various resources in an ambient intelligent environment in an ad hoc manner, they need to be able to identify and select these resources. We conducted an experiment to study various user interaction styles for combining input and output devices in an ambient intelligent environment. The results show that the test subjects prefer to press a designated button on a device to select it. They least prefer an automatic selection. The main conclusion is that our subjects are willing to spend a bit of time and effort in order to gain control over their environment. This supports the claim that users acting in ambient intelligent environments should always be kept in the loop; systems should take care not to alienate their users when making decisions for them.