The AMEBICA Project: Using an agent-based approach to construct an adaptive interface for process control

Prof. James Alty
Dean of the Faculty of Science

Director IMPACT Research Group
Dept of Computer Science
Loughborough University

Tuesday 04 September at 11am

Abstract

The rigidity of conventional process control interfaces is discussed and it is suggested that a more flexible mapping between system and presentation would optimize information presentation and control and thereby improve operator efficiency. It is suggested that a Multi-Agent approach might offer a foundation for developing an adaptive interface architecture because of its modularity, decentralized nature, the ability to react in changing situations, lack of predefined structure, and a potential for representing complex behaviour. The multi-agent architecture of the AMEBICA system is described and a technique for assisting system developers in designing adaptive interfaces is presented. Adaptive triggers based upon process and operator states are used to construct an Adapability Matrix which contains the adaptive functions. A prototype system, developed using the AMEBICA architecture in an Electrical Network application, is briefly described and the results of an evaluation of operator experience

Short resume

Prof James Alty is currently Professor of Computer Science at Loughborough University, UK, where he is also Dean of the Science Faculty. His interests in Human Computer interaction go back 27 years. He has written five books and over 100 research papers. Originally obtaining his PhD in Nuclear Physics, he worked for some years with IBM (UK) Ltd as Systems support and later in Sales. In 1972 he was appointed Director of the Computer Centre, University of Liverpool, and it was early experiences here which led him to become interested in the Human Computer Interface.

In 1982 he becaone Prof. of Computer Science at Strathclyde University and in 1984 was appointed Executive Head of the Turing Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Glasgow, where he also directed the Scottish HCI Centre. In 1990 he moved to Loughborough University

He has had a long interest in Process Control particularly in the design of better interface for operators.

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