| Robert Amor's Publications in 2012 |
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Schultz, C., Amor, R. and Guesgen, H.W. (2012) Methodologies for Qualitative Spatial and Temporal Reasoning Application Design, in Qualitative Spatio-Temporal Representation and Reasoning: Trends and Future Directions. Hazarika, S.M. (ed.), IGI Global, USA, ISBN 10: 1616928689, pp. 168-202. |
Abstract: Although a wide range of sophisticated qualitative spatial and temporal reasoning (QSTR) formalisms have now been developed, there are relatively few applications that apply these commonsense methods. To address this problem we are developing methodologies that support QSTR application design. We establish a theoretical foundation for QSTR applications that includes the roles of application designers and users. We adapt formal software requirements that allow a designer to specify the customer's operational requirements and the functional requirements of a QSTR application. We present design patterns for organising the components of QSTR applications, and a methodology for defining high level neighbourhoods that are derived from the system structure. Finally, we develop a methodology for QSTR application validation by defining a complexity metric called H complexity that is used in test coverage analysis for assessing the quality of unit and integration test sets.
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Zarli, A., Fies, B., Egbu, C., Khalfan, M. and Amor, R. (eds) (2012) Proceedings of the 2011 CIB W078-W102 Conference: Computer, Knowledge, Building, Nice, France, 26-28 October, ISBN 978-90-6363-068-3, CIB Publication 365. |
Abstract: The proceedings of the conference reflect the current up-to-date developments and future exploration of the leverage expected from ICT deployment in a very active and moving Construction sector, based on a selection of high quality papers, as well as fruitful and living sessions and dedicated workshops that provide with detailed information on the achievements and trends in research, development, standardisation and industrial implementation of ICT and KM in this industry sector. The 2011 CIB W078 & W102 joint conference received 179 abstracts, and reviewed 147 full papers. It eventually comprises 125 accepted scientific and technical papers, covering numerous research topics in the fields of Construction ICT and KM, and organised in 37 sessions, including 21 papers dedicated to the eeBDM Workshop organized with the support from the European Commission (EC).
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McMeel, D. and Amor, R. (2012) Digital Ecologies: A shifting paradigm for construction, Proceedings of CONVR 2012, Taipei, Taiwan, 1-2 November, pp. 460-466. |
Abstract: Many industries are currently being transformed, through phenomenon driven by what is being described as 'cloud computing' or the emergence of new 'digital ecologies.' Here we explore this concept's potential within the construction industry through the creation of a Revit 'Add-on' created with its proprietary API and an iPad application, which facilitates a direct and immediate exchange of information between people gathering data at the point of work (POW) on site and the central Revit BIM. The paper reflects on some known obstacles to this approach, particularly the latency and inaccuracies that exist between the model and the actual building as well as complexities in transferring the model from a desktop computer to low powered, usable and site friendly devices. We focus on a test case in defect management and expose emergent possibilities for improvement through techniques that are driving 'digital ecology;' we appropriate the Revit API, deposit data on a cloud service and develop a 'single serving' iPad application. We have hypothesised elsewhere, that construction operates through negotiating tensions, frictions and potentials created within its inherent complexity of people, materials and disciplines. In this paper we go further and suggest that construction exhibits the behaviour of an ecology. There is a chequered history of the construction industry gaining advantage from appropriating organisational methods from other disciplines. However, having suggested construction exhibits the behaviour of an ecology, our test case points to opportunities where adopting the 'digital ecology,' making easy to use mobile applications and leveraging localised delivery of site data could potentially improve existing construction and facility management processes.
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Amor, R., McMeel, D., Walker, R., Bang, S.W. and Lim, R. (2012) Snagging: An Investigation of Location-based Services, Proceedings of CIB W78 2012, Beirut, Lebanon, 17-19 October, pp. 59-68. |
Abstract: The proliferation of location aware smartphone and mobile devices enables a rethink and rework of processes on site and within a building. Existing laborious and paper-based processes such as defect identification in an almost completed building (snagging), facility management, etc can be significantly impacted through software on mobile devices which can calculate their exact position on the earth. A framework has been developed which meshes the major services required for such processes. The services investigated for this framework include: the provision and manipulation of 3D models on a mobile device; a number of location identifying approaches (e.g., GPS, Wi-Fi, QR codes); server-based database access to serve and store information; augmented reality (AR) overlays onto video streams; and CAD integration to allow for round-trip information flows between site and the office. To demonstrate the impact of this framework of amalgamated services an application has been developed to handle the snagging process carried out near the completion of a building project. Typically this requires all minor defects to be recorded on paper forms on site and then assigned to the various trades for rectification back in the office. Significant portions of the process are automated and enhanced by utilizing the developed framework.
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Jalil, S.B.A., Huang, J., Markovich, M., Osburn, B., Barley, M. and Amor, R. (2012) Avatars at a Meeting, Proceedings of CHINZ, Dunedin, New Zealand, 2-3 July, pp. 84-87. |
Abstract: The development of remote avatars has recently generated increased research and commercial interest. Current approaches utilize simple remote-user-guided screens to represent the remote participant. Though humanoid robotic systems are significantly more expensive this work investigates the added benefit from utilizing such a robot. Two recent projects examined the potential of humanoid robotic systems to operate as a remote avatar within a meeting context and their impact on meeting dynamics and interactions. These projects identified the utility of human-like gestures as a significant benefit of humanoid robots within such a setting as well as a range of disruptive impacts due to the operational mode of humanoid robots.
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Plimmer, B., Jalil, S.A., Warren, I. and Amor, R. (2012) Considering Visual Aesthetics as a Part of the HCI Curriculum, Presented at CHI 2012 workshop: The Contextualised Curriculum, Austin, Texas, USA, 5-10 May. |
Abstract: The importance of the user interface's aesthetics to the user experience has been acknowledged for some time. Yet visual aesthetics is rarely covered in HCI courses. We have integrated material on aesthetics into our 3rd year HCI course. In this paper we put forward the argument for including visual aesthetics; describe how we have integrated aesthetics into our course; reflect on the first offering of this new module and describe changes underway for the next offering of the course.
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Amor, R. (2012) BIM Now and Forever, Build magazine, August/September, pp. 37-38. |
Abstract: BIM (Building Information Modelling) has been widely proclaimed as one of the most exciting developments in the construction industry. The recent proliferation of BIM products has seen more and more companies and individuals joining the BIM parade. Is this just a passing fad, or a new standard for the industry?
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Amor, R. (2012) IT Defining the Future Workplace, New Zealand Science Teacher, September, 131, pp. 16-18. |
Abstract: Still dreaming of the utopian workplace that was envisaged for humankind in the '60s and '70s? The age of robots and computers offering to take on the drudgery and monotony of our work environment and leaving us with copious leisure time? Asks Robert Amor, Department of Computer Science, University of Auckland.