We are glad to announce our Keynote Speakers for this year:

Yehya Mohamad (Fraunhofer-FIT)

Dr. Yehya Mohamad is a senior researcher & lecturer at Fraunhofer FIT in Sankt Augustin Germany. Dr. Yehya is a computer scientist with experience in multiple scientific disciplines, he is a technologist with extensive experience in compliance, usability and accessibility of information systems, standards, user profiling, internet technologies, web of Things and eHealth. He has been working since 1987 on the development of a variety of information systems in many areas, where he has occupied many positions including training, teaching and supervising of students and  their thesis. His current research activity focusses on support of customers in designing and implementing barrier-free Web solutions, training to industry and interested actors in the field of e-accessibility, development and commercialization of software tools like imergo an automatic accessibility evaluation tool, ehealth systems and biofeedback systems that detect stress level of users.

Yehya’s talk will be “User-Centered design of information systems in a world of emerging technologies”, The User-Centered Computing is a dedicated area where IT systems and technologies are developed with particular focus on their users throughout their complete life cycle. R&D on Human–Computer-Interaction and adaptation to context via web compliance enables us to build intelligent environments and IT systems that satisfy the requirements of usability alike Web compliance and accessibility to situate individuals in their individual context. Ambient assisted living environment allow us to promote solutions for supporting elderly people in need of permanent care. In our everyday life we use a variety of gadgets and information systems, especially electronic devices offering a variety of user interfaces e.g. web-based user interfaces. New technologies bring information systems closer to our surroundings and our bodies, and the boundary between the user and machine is blurring.  We cannot imagine a single day without a mobile phone, TV or a computer. These devices and systems have huge potential to help people to engage with society and their surroundings. However the enormous number of features often turns overwhelming for users in general, and especially for older people or people with disabilities, and may make devices and systems unusable for them. At present there is no way of choosing appropriate accessibility options for different users and media, except on a case by case analysis, which is not a scalable approach. In a world where new devices and services are dominating our lives though smart environment technologies, ensuring inclusiveness and accessibility of such products and services is of outmost importance. At User-Centered Computing at Fraunhofer-FIT we aim for systems that provide effective personalized support for the task at hand and fit perfectly into the work environment. This talk will summarise our wide repertoire of design methods that let us to combine appropriate test-oriented methodologies, from User-Centered Engineering with ethnographic and participatory approaches, so we can involve the users from the start in the planning, design and evolution of their systems. The range of our activities includes usability engineering of products and systems, support for the design of standard-compliant Web and desktop applications as well as the use of sensor technologies and embedded systems in industrial environments. The impact of these techniques, methodologies and activities are considered crucial in the emerging Active and Healthy Ageing (AHA) WoT-enabled where user-centric designs are crucial.

Organised by: