© Universität Bielefeld
AWAre - Assistiance Workflow Architecture
AWAre stands for Assistiance Workflow Architecture. The assistance platform developed at Bielefeld University serves as a basis for research into human-machine interaction and is based on methods from the fields of software engineering and human-computer interaction.
A particular focus is on the investigation of adaptive adjustment mechanisms of the assistance provided. This topic is analysed from an interdisciplinary perspective: Together with colleagues from the fields of psychology, didactics and pedagogy, we are investigating how automated adaptations of the assistance can ensure users' learning facilitation and autonomy.
User studies in different scenarios have already shown good results for usability and user experience, as well as significant advantages of adaptive assistance over static assistance in terms of learning facilitation.
The system uses graphical process models as the basis for the assisted processes, which structure the assistance information and whose graph-based structure allows automated manipulation with generic adaptation strategies. Depending on the application context, the textual instruction information can be enriched with images, videos, 3D models and more.
The application contexts in which the assistance platform can be used are diverse: from assembly processes in industry, to laboratory practicals in various university courses (e.g. biotechnology, biology, medicine, psychology), to training contexts in the technical and commercial sector. The platform is also deliberately designed to be open in terms of the user interfaces used: Assistance can be provided via mobile devices such as mobile phones or tablets, as well as via AR glasses and permanently installed touch screens and in-situ projections at workstations.