The integration of automated vehicle technology into our transportation infrastructure is ongoing, yet the precise timeline for the introduction of fully automated vehicles remains ambiguous. This technological transition necessitates the creation of in-vehicle displays tailored to emergent user needs and concerns. Notably, driving-induced anxiety, already a concern, is projected to assume greater significance in this context, although it remains inadequately researched. This dissertation sought to delve into the phenomenon of anxiety in driving, assess its implications in future transportation modalities, elucidate design considerations for distinct demographics like the youth and elderly, and design and evaluate an affective in-vehicle system to alleviate anxiety in automated driving through four studies. The first study involved two workshops with automotive experts, who underscored anxiety as pivotal to sustaining trust and system acceptance. The second study was a qualitative focus group analysis incorporating both young and older drivers, aiming to distill anxiety-inducing scenarios in automated driving and pinpoint potential intervention strategies and feedback modalities. This was followed by two driving simulator evaluations. The third study was observational, seeking to discern correlations among personality attributes, anxiety, and trust in automated driving systems. The fourth study employed cognitive reappraisal for anxiety reduction in automated driving. Analysis indicated the efficacy of the empathic interface leveraging cognitive reappraisal as an effective anxiety amelioration tool. Particularly in the self-efficacy reappraisal context, this influence influenced trust, user experience, and anxiety markers. Cumulatively, this dissertation provides key design guidelines for anxiety mitigation in automated driving, and highlights design elements pivotal to augmenting user experiences in scenarios where drivers relinquish vehicular control. / Doctor of Philosophy / An extent amount of research has uncovered how negative affect, most prominently driving anger and road rage, impairs driving performance and experience. However, as driving automation will gradually relegate drivers to the position of vehicle occupants, a need exists to identify the impact of other negative emotions on driving experience. Some research suggests that anxiety could negatively influence trust and acceptance of automation, though it is still unclear how exactly this influence changes based on user profiles nor how to adequately respond to it in a vehicle. This dissertation aims at understanding the impact of anxiety on automated driving experience and trust, and how researchers can apply empathic interface design to mitigate its effects. A series of studies evaluated the impact of anxiety in automated driving, user concerns and needs in anxious driving situations, and the influence of an empathic interface seeking anxiety mitigation in automated driving. The voice-agent enabled interface that used cognitive reappraisal had a significant impact on user experience and trust in automated vehicles.

El objetivo de esta investigación consistió en diseñar un proceso de producción de camillas automáticas convertibles en sillas de ruedas para satisfacer las necesidades del mercado. Para ello, se establecieron objetivos que incluyeron un estudio de mercado, el diseño del proceso de producción y una evaluación económica y financiera del proyecto. Se empleó una metodología de investigación descriptiva, utilizando un enfoque cuantitativo y descriptivo, complementado con un diseño exploratorio. Los resultados revelaron una creciente aceptación de las sillas eléctricas entre las personas con discapacidades físicas, con un aumento anual del 14% en la demanda de estos productos. Se proyecta un crecimiento del 8% en la oferta para el año 2027, con el objetivo de cubrir el 0,5% de la demanda del proyecto. El diseño y simulación se realizaron utilizando el software SolidWorks, basándose en las características demandadas por el mercado. Se desarrolló un diagrama de flujo y un DAP, lo que permitió determinar un Takt time de 120 minutos, un tiempo de ciclo de 100 minutos por unidad y una eficiencia del 95%. En cuanto al aspecto económico, se encontró que la TIR alcanzó un valor del 93,58%, la TMAR fue del 24,66% y el VAN fue de S/1 797 598. Además, se obtuvo un índice de costo beneficio de 1,2.

Résumé : Pour assister efficacement les personnes en perte d'autonomie dans le contexte des habitats intelligents, il est essentiel d'identifier les difficultés auxquelles ces personnes sont confrontées dans leur quotidien. L'objectif de ce travail est d'observer les processus exécutifs durant les activités de la vie quotidienne, ainsi que leur dysfonctionnement lors du vieillissement cognitif (normal ou lié à la maladie d'Alzheimer), puis d'élaborer un modèle théorique et informatique capable de simuler les comportements observés. Une phase d'observation et de qualification des processus de contrôle exécutif (capacités de régulation de l'action, de correction et d'adaptation lors de situations imprévues) a d'abord été réalisée, dornnant lieu à la spécification d'un modèle théorique fondé sur le modèle de contrôle attentionnel de l'action de Norman et Shallice. Le modèle théorique a ensuite été implémenté informatiquement et permet de simuler une activité quotidienne spécifique. // Abstract : In order to assist patients who are loosing their autonomy, smart homes and cognitive assistance systems have to be based on a good knowledge of people's disorders and on the difficulties they are likely to encounter in daily life. The specific objective of this PhD is to observe executive processes involved in the completion of daily activities and their impairment during ageing and dementia of the Alzheimer's type, and then to design both theoretical and computational models which are able to generate the observed behaviours. An observation and a qualification phase, allowing to observe executive control processes (action regulation, correction and adaptation when unexpected situations occur) have been first realized, leading to the specification of a theoretical model based on the Norman and Shallice model. This theoretical model has then been implemented to obtain a computational model, which allows the simulation of a specific activity of daily living.

This research was conducted on inclusive education in HEIs of Ethiopia. Its main purpose was to investigate, as case studies, the learning experiences of students with visual impairments (SVI) in two HEIs. The study was undertaken having realized the research gap that exists in the area of the inclusiveness of HEIs in Ethiopia. In order to conduct the research, a qualitative methodology was followed. The data collection methods used were individual interviews and observations. Data were collected from students with visual impairments, their instructors, department/school heads, college deans and disability centre coordinators. In addition, observations were made in library facilities and classes. The process of data analysis was started by considering the major curriculum elements as general categories following LeCompte and Preissle‟s typological analysis strategy. Atlas.ti computer software was used to code, categorize and manage the data. The theory that was primarily used to examine and understand the learning experiences of SVI in the higher education context was Bronfenbrenner's bio-ecological systems theory. In addition, the biopsychosocial model of disability and the accommodation model (in contrast to the UDL model) were considered. The study resulted in the following major findings: SVI, in many cases, were not assigned to the departments of their interest; the curricula of the HEIs were highly inflexible and did not consider SVI needs; there was limited access to curricular materials in assessment formats; there was limited use of assistive technology; assessment practices were largely unfair to SVI; the learning environment was less friendly to SVI; the support SVI get from their institutions was inadequate and disorganized; and instructors made little effort to accommodate the learning needs of SVI during class teaching. The findings also showed that there were no significant differences of perceptions among SVI of the two institutions. Based on the findings of the research some conclusions are drawn. In addition, some recommendations were suggested to improve policy and practice based on SVI responses and the researcher's own reflections on the study‟s findings. Recommendations for future research were also made. / Inclusive Education / D. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

To better understand the difficulties and strengths associated with both high and low functioning individuals with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), the hyper-systemising theory has been proposed by Baron-Cohen and colleagues. It explains the social and communication difficulties in autism and Asperger syndrome (AS) by reference to delays and deficits in empathy, whilst explaining the areas of strength by reference to intact or even superior skill in systemising (Baron-Cohen, 2002). The evidence for hypersystemising alongside hypo-empathising in autism, suggests a corresponding desire to systemise the social world. Based on this theory, the use of technology in supporting the development of social and communication skills in children with an ASD is discussed. Technology and computers rely on strict, predictable systems made up of sets of rules that can be programmed, determined and understood. Use of such technology to assist in the development of social skills in an individual with an ASD utilises an existing area of strength and engages a person in an often existing area of interest and/or obsession. This thesis describes an exploratory study using non-humanoid robots with a group of young people with either high-functioning autism (HFA) or AS, which aimed to use robots as a focus of shared attention in a more naturally occurring and systemisable environment; thus promoting more implicit learning of social skills for this clinical group. Ten children attended the ‘robot club’ for eight sessions enabling a design using a series of single case studies pooled together for multiple and individual base line comparisons. The results indicate improvements as rated by parents and the young people themselves (although not by teachers), with some evidence of statistical and clinically significant changes, for example, in communication skills specifically and with general difficulties associated with autism. The results were found to be affected by total number of sessions attended, but not by age or academic functioning. Possible implications of the findings are presented in line with theory and for clinical practise. Limitations of the study are discussed and suggestions for future research made.

Zwischenmenschliches Vertrauen spielt in Beziehungen eine wichtige Rolle und beinhaltet die Erwartung, dass auf das Wort des Anderen Verlass ist (Rotter, 1967). Auch im Zusammenhang mit Automation und Mensch-Maschine-Systemen erlangt die Betrachtung von Vertrauen in den vergangenen Jahren immer größere Bedeutung. In den Bereichen automatisierte Fahrzeugsteuerung oder militärische Freund-Feind-Erkennung wurde bereits eine Vielzahl von Erhebungen durchgeführt. Einen Forschungsgegenstand, der bislang jedoch weitestgehend unbeachtet geblieben ist, stellen Heim-Automatisierungen und Unterstützungstechnologien für ältere Personen dar. Die vorliegende Dissertation möchte einen Anstoß für die Forschungsaktivitäten im Kontext von Vertrauen in Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) Systeme geben und gleichzeitig die Möglichkeiten von Unterstützungs-technologien (für beeinträchtigte Personen) im Wohnumfeld aufzeigen. Im Fokus der Untersuchung steht dabei das Vertrauen älterer Personen, als potentielle Endnutzer, in AAL Systeme. Nach Durchführung der Literaturanalyse, wurden mittels einer Fragebogenstudie zunächst verschiedene Einflussfaktoren auf das Vertrauen in AAL sowie die Nutzungsabsicht der senioren Zielgruppe erforscht. Unter Einbeziehung der Variablen des Technology Acceptance Modells (TAM) (Davis, 1989) werden Personen mit und ohne täglichem Unterstützungsbedarf befragt. Basierend auf den dadurch gewonnenen Erkenntnissen wurden zwei Experimente durchgeführt. Die Probanden der beiden Experimente, die jeweils eine seniore Testgruppe und eine junge Kontrollgruppe umfassten, sollten mittels eines Mock-Ups auf einem Tablet-Computer verschiedene Aufgaben im Wohnumfeld bearbeiten. Im ersten Experiment wurde zusätzlich zu der Standard-Bedienoberfläche der AAL Technologie, entweder persönliche Unterstützung via Operateur oder eine technische Unterstützung zur Verfügung gestellt. Das zweite Experiment untersuchte drei unterschiedliche Stufen von Zuverlässigkeit einer AAL Applikation. / Interpersonal trust as “expectancy that the verbal statements of others can be relied upon” (Rotter, 1967; p. 651) plays an important role in human relationships. But even in the context of automation and man-machine systems, the consideration of trust has acquired even greater importance in recent years. In the field of automated vehicle control systems or military friend-or-foe recognition, a large number of surveys relating to trust have been conducted. An area of research that, to date, has not been well-investigated is home automation, such as smart home and assistive technologies for older people. The present thesis aims to initiate such research activities in the context of trust in Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) systems, as well as to demonstrate the opportunities that assistive technologies present for impaired persons in the living environment. The focus of the present survey is on the trust of older people, as potential end-users, in AAL systems. To establish an understanding of the state of this research field, a literature review has been conducted. Subsequently, the various factors influencing trust in AAL and usage intention of the elderly target group are examined via a written questionnaire study. Taking into account the variables of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (Davis, 1989), persons with and without need for daily support are interviewed. Based on the obtained results, two subsequent experiments were carried out. The participants in the two experiments, each including a senior test group and a young control group, worked on various tasks through a mock-up on a tablet-computer in the living environment. In the first experiment, in addition to the standard user interface of the AAL technology, either personal support via operator or a technical embedded support was provided to test the differential impact on the trust of the participants in AAL. The second experiment included three different levels of reliability of an AAL application.

Submitted by SBI Biblioteca Digital (sbi.bibliotecadigital@puc-campinas.edu.br) on 2018-02-16T17:42:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LEANDRO NASCIMENTO ORTIZ.pdf: 4107446 bytes, checksum: 47444f3c5b943769c34cbf6d2985ef88 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-16T17:42:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LEANDRO NASCIMENTO ORTIZ.pdf: 4107446 bytes, checksum: 47444f3c5b943769c34cbf6d2985ef88 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-11-22 / People with disabilities can benefit from personal assistive technology products or urban assistive infrastructures in everyday life. However, they could benefit even more from the integration of personal assistive products with urban assistive infrastructure. This work proposes a case of integration, applied to visual impairment, together with the development of a proof of concept for the proposal, resulting in an on-line platform (Infratech), two systems (TagMaps and CityDevices) and a smart cane. / As pessoas com defici?ncia podem usufruir de produtos pessoais de tecnologia assistivas ou de infraestruturas urbanas assistivas para aux?lio no cotidiano. Entretanto, elas poderiam usufruir ainda mais com a integra??o dos produtos assistivos pessoais com a infraestrutura assistiva urbana. Neste trabalho, prop?e-se um caso de integra??o, aplicada ? defici?ncia visual, juntamente com o desenvolvimento de uma prova de conceito da proposta, resultando em uma plataforma on-line (Infratech), dois sistemas (TagMaps e CityDevices) e uma bengala inteligente

INTRODUÇÃO: O modelo \'prática baseada em evidência na tecnologia assistiva\', possui como objetivo agregar os objetivos dos clientes integrando a experiência dos profissionais às melhores evidências disponíveis da pesquisa sistemática para a escolha do produto. Para o campo da tecnologia assistiva (TA), isso implica uma ênfase na pesquisa de resultados que discute sobre as contribuições dos dispositivos e os serviços relacionados à vida diária dos usuários. No Brasil, existe uma falta de modelos que articulem o uso da TA, diminuindo o abandono dos dispositivos. Com os modelos e os instrumentos de medida, é possível obter dados, comparar os resultados entre populações distintas, adquirir medidas de resultado confiáveis e válidas, de forma econômica e eficaz, e transformar medidas subjetivas em dados objetivos, que podem ser quantificados e analisados. Isso possibilita que se verifiquem os impactos nos processos de intervenção em saúde e se comparem os produtos com menos recursos financeiros. OBJETIVO: Este estudo tem dois objetivos distintos, mas que se entrelaçam ao dar suporte à sua justificativa e que aqui são chamados de Fase A e Fase B. O primeiro, consiste em identificar através da realização de uma revisão sistemática da literatura os diferentes questionários utilizados para selecionar itens de TA. O segundo, realizar o processo de adaptação transcultural do quadro de estruturação para a modelagem conceitual de resultados de dispositivos de TA (QEMCRDTA) para ser utilizado no Brasil. MÉTODO: Para selecionar e escolher o modelo utilizado nesta pesquisa, visando alcançar os objetivos descritos, foram efetuados dois estudos, divididos aqui em fase A e B. Na Fase A, procedeu-se a uma revisão sistemática da literatura nacional e internacional, com o objetivo de identificar os diferentes questionários utilizados para selecionar itens de TA, descrever e avaliar os procedimentos adotados para fazer a adaptação transcultural, com as características e os domínios temáticos de cada artigo, avaliar o processo de adaptação cultural adotado e descrever as propriedades psicométricas encontradas nos trabalhos. A Fase B compreendeu as etapas de: 1) tradução/síntese das traduções; 2) retrotradução (back translation); 3) Análise pelo comitê de especialistas; 4) Teste da versão pré-final conforme diretrizes internacionais. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados da fase A mostraram que dentre os 560 artigos encontrados, Apenas 05 pesquisas foram incluídas na síntese qualitativa atendendo os critérios de inclusão. O QUEST pode ser considerado o instrumento mais traduzido e adaptado para outras culturas. Os achados da Fase B, expõem um alto índice da validade do conteúdo certificando a qualidade dos itens que representam o conceito mensurado. Todos os itens que passaram pelo processo de adaptação transcultural foram classificados como de fácil entendimento e nenhum item foi acrescentado ou retirado do Quadro de Estruturação para a Modelagem Conceitual de Resultados de Dispositivos de TA (QEMCRDTA) / INTRODUCTION: The model is based on assistive technology, whose main objective is to choose the professionals for the best results of the systematic research to choose the product. For the TA field, this implies an emphasis on researching results on applications and services related to users\' daily life. In Brazil, there is a lack of models that address the use of assistive technology, reducing the abandonment of devices. With models and measuring instruments, it is possible to obtain data, to compare results between distinctions, to obtain expected and variable measures of results, on a temporary and efficient basis, and to carry out the application of objective data, which can be quantified and analyzed. This enables the results of health and health process studies to be compared with other financial resources. PURPOSE: This study has two distinct objectives, but they are intertwined with support for its justification and are called Phase A and Phase B. The first is to identify through the systematic review of the literature the different questionnaires used to select Assistive Technology items. The second was the process of cross-cultural adaptation of the framework for a conceptual modeling of assistive technology resources for use in Brazil. METHOD: To obtain the number of sequential actions, the index was corrected in two years, divided into two years, divided into stages A and B. In Phase A, a systematic review of the national and international literature was carried out, with the Abstract Keywords of different questions for users to change such as trends, the as described and assessor of the evaluation of adaptive studies to discover the cross-cultural characteristics, and the psychiatric strategies processes to adaptability in the works. Phase B comprised the steps of: 1) translation / synthesis of translations; 2) back translation (reverse translation); 3) Analysis by the committee of experts; 4) Testing the pre-final relationship according to international guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: the results of the phase A change that are among the 560 articles found, only 05 were inserted in the qualitative synthesis in proposing inclusion. QUEST can be considered the most translated and adapted instrument for other cultures. The findings of Phase B, expose a high index of content validity, certifying the quality of the items that represent the concept measured. All cases that received the cross-cultural adaptation process were classified as easy to understand and no item was included or removed from the Structuring Framework for a Conceptual Modeling of Assistive Technology Devices Results

Submitted by Sara Ribeiro (sara.ribeiro@ucb.br) on 2018-08-09T19:11:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 RoseMariTessimaDissertacao2018.pdf: 1081652 bytes, checksum: 7f7ef89d8ae46f3e8effe828853d2532 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Sara Ribeiro (sara.ribeiro@ucb.br) on 2018-08-09T19:11:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 RoseMariTessimaDissertacao2018.pdf: 1081652 bytes, checksum: 7f7ef89d8ae46f3e8effe828853d2532 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T19:11:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RoseMariTessimaDissertacao2018.pdf: 1081652 bytes, checksum: 7f7ef89d8ae46f3e8effe828853d2532 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-26 / People with disabilities use banking services, however, in the empirical literature little evidence has been found linking the issue of the Person with disability and the accessibility with the offer of banking services. To characterize the theme, a literature review was carried out which emphasized: the technical standards. The legislation on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the various segments of society. Their rights and obligations. The technological development that provides greater independence to the Person with Disabilities. Assistive technologies. Credit lines provided by banks for the acquisition of equipment, orthoses, prostheses and financing of architectural projects for residential accessibility. Banking applications for the segments of the Person with Disabilities. In this review it was found that there is a good evolution in the development of assistive technologies that seek to offer a better quality of life for the People with Disabilities. Brazil has good legislation regarding the rights and obligations of the Person with Disabilities, but there is still a way to be followed so that this legislation is understood, respected and fulfilled by Brazilian society, but this is a matter of cultural evolution that still lacks some time to consolidate. It was also found that there is a line of credit available to People with Disabilities, but it does not serve the entire population of people with disabilities. Banks are using technologies to provide care for this audience, such as screen reader, biometrics for customer identification, extracts in braille. Participants in the survey were People with Disabilities, with disabilities: physical, visual and auditory, who are clients of banks, not having been a profile of persons with associated disabilities. Having ascertained with the interviewees that they see their relationship with banks and banking products as "normal", not characterizing as good or bad, but very similar to what any ordinary citizen receives from banks, that many of his observations are common to other customers. / Pessoas com deficiência utilizam serviços bancários, entretanto, na literatura tem-se encontrado pouca evidência que relacione a questão da Pessoa com Deficiência e a acessibilidade com a oferta de serviços bancários. Para caracterizar a temática realizou-se uma revisão de literatura e análise documental que enfatizou: as normas técnicas; a legislação referente a Inclusão da Pessoa com Deficiência nos diversos segmentos da sociedade; seus direitos e obrigações; o desenvolvimento tecnológico que propicia maior independência a Pessoa com Deficiência; as tecnologias assistivas; linhas de crédito disponibilizadas pelos bancos para aquisição de equipamentos, órteses, próteses e financiamento de projetos de arquitetônicos de acessibilidade residencial; aplicativos bancários destinados ao segmento de Pessoa com Deficiência. Na análise, apurou-se que existe uma boa evolução no desenvolvimento de tecnologias assistivas que buscam oferecer melhor qualidade de vida para as Pessoas com Deficiência. Apesar do Brasil ter uma boa legislação no que se refere aos direitos e obrigações da Pessoa com Deficiência, ainda existe um caminho a ser percorrido para que esta legislação seja entendida, respeitada e cumprida pela sociedade brasileira, mas esta é uma questão de evolução cultural que ainda carece de certo tempo para se consolidar. Identificamos a existência de uma linha de crédito dedicada para as Pessoas com Deficiência, mas que não atende a toda esta população de pessoas com deficiência devido as regras de utilização. Observamos que os bancos estão utilizando novas tecnologias para oferecer atendimento para este público, tais como leitor de tela, biometria para identificação do cliente, extratos em braile. Participaram da pesquisa Pessoas com Deficiência, com deficiência: física, visual e auditiva, que são clientes de bancos, não tendo sido perfil pessoas com deficiência associada. Foi apurado junto aos entrevistados que eles vêm sua relação com os bancos e produtos bancários como “normal”, não caracterizando como bom nem como ruim, mas bem parecido com o que qualquer cidadão comum recebe dos bancos, que muitas de suas observações são comuns aos demais clientes.

Interfaces cérebro-computador ou Interfaces cérebro-máquina (BCIs/BMIs do inglês Brain-computer interface/Brain-machine interface) são dispositivos que permitem ao usuário interagir com o ambiente ao seu redor sem que seja necessário ativar seus músculos esqueléticos. Estes dispositivos são de extrema valia para indivíduos portadores de deficiências motoras. Esta dissertação ambiciona revisar a literatura acerca de BMIs e expor diferentes técnicas de pré-processamento, extração de características e classificação de sinais neurofisiológicos. Em particular, uma maior ênfase será dada à Máquina de vetor de suporte (SVM do inglês Support-Vector machine), método de classificação baseado no princípio da minimização do risco estrutural. Será apresentado um estudo de caso, que ilustra o funcionamento de uma BMI, a qual permite ao usuário escolher um dentre seis objetos mostrados em uma tela de computador. Esta capacidade da BMI é conseqüência da implementação, através da SVM de um sistema capaz de detectar o potencial evocado P300 nos sinais de eletroencefalograma (EEG). A simulação será realizada em Matlab usando, como sinais de entrada, amostras de EEG de quatro indivíduos saudáveis e quatro deficientes. A análise estatística mostrou que o bom desempenho obtido pela BMI (80,73% de acerto em média) foi promovido pela aplicação da média coerente aos sinais, o que melhorou a relação sinal-ruído do EEG. / Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) or Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) technology provide users with the ability to communicate and control their environment without employing normal output pathway of peripheral nerves and muscles. This technology can be especially valuable for highly paralyzed patients. This thesis reviews BMI research, techniques for preprocessing, feature extracting and classifying neurophysiological signals. In particular, emphasis will be given to Support-Vector Machine (SVM), a classification technique, which is based on structural risk minimization. Additionally, a case study will illustrate the working principles of a BMI which analyzes electroencephalographic signals in the time domain as means to decide which one of the six images shown on a computer screen the user chose. The images were selected according to a scenario where users can control six electrical appliances via a BMI system. This was done by exploiting the Support-Vector Machine ability to recognize a specific EEG pattern (the so-called P300). The study was conducted offline within the Matlab environment and used EEG datasets recorded from four disabled and four able-bodied subjects. A statistical survey of the results has shown that the good performance attained (80,73%) was due to signal averaging method, which enhanced EEG signal-to-noise ratio.