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Ubiquitous spatial communication (UbiMap)

The new technologies make it possible for geospatial applications to be adapted to support the varying user tasks in specific contexts. In addition to work related tasks, the ubiquitous geospatial information systems may also be utilized as extenders of experience by providing the users with an opportunity to review location based activities afterwards and combine these with other representations. Users may also have new role as content providers as the services also allow them to share location data and place-dependent messages. As a result, the application possibilities for different use of ubiquitous spatial services are immense. The specific goals of this multidisciplinary project funded bu the Finnish Academy, MOTIVE-program are: 1) to gain new knowledge and develop theoretical understanding and research methodology related to ubiquitous spatial communication, 2) to re-conceptualize the map towards a medium for context-sensitive ubiquitous geospatial interaction taking into account the needs of the users, 3) to set up a research prototype service for novel interactive ubiquitous maps linked to an outdoor leisure activity, and 4) to access the effects of the limitations of the human cognitive processing system on the usability of interactive ubiquitous maps. The goal is to achieve improved man-machine communication in ubiquitous context when ‘maps’ and spatial cognition are essential elements in the process. The research contributes from several disciplines: geoinformatics, graphical communication, cognitive science and usability. The research consortium has two partners: The Finnish Geodetic Institute, Dept. of Geoinformatics and Cartography coordinating the project and the Dept. of Cognitive Science, University of Helsinki.

Keywords
usability
cognitive science
spatial
communication
interaction
spatial cognition
ubiquitous
Duration
Research area
Research groups
Funding organisation or partners
FGI
Academy of Finland