Visions, Values, and Videos: Revisiting Envisionings in Service of UbiComp Design for the Home

TL;DR

This paper explores the conflicting visions of future domestic UbiComp technology, balancing calm, passive computing with engaging, active experiences, through public discussions of contrasting scenarios and analyzing human values involved.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach using envisioning and contravisioning with animated videos to examine human values in UbiComp design for the home.

Findings

Identified key human values influencing UbiComp design choices.

Revealed tensions between passive and engaging visions of technology.

Provided practical design questions and challenges for future UbiComp development.

Abstract

UbiComp has been envisioned to bring about a future dominated by calm computing technologies making our everyday lives ever more convenient. Yet the same vision has also attracted criticism for encouraging a solitary and passive lifestyle. The aim of this paper is to explore and elaborate these tensions further by examining the human values surrounding future domestic UbiComp solutions. Drawing on envisioning and contravisioning, we probe members of the public (N=28) through the presentation and focus group discussion of two contrasting animated video scenarios, where one is inspired by "calm" and the other by "engaging" visions of future UbiComp technology. By analysing the reasoning of our participants, we identify and elaborate a number of relevant values involved in balancing the two perspectives. In conclusion, we articulate practically applicable takeaways in the form of a set of key design questions and challenges.