Digital Simplicity Through Activity-based Computing

There are many indicators that people feel technology is speeding up and complicating their lives. In response, many individuals reject certain computing and communications technologies when given the choice (e.g., for use in their homes). Current research in ubiquitous computing has a tendency to fall into this same trap, offering overly complex technology supporting new functions with little value to users. The Digital Simplicity project instead offers a different value proposition: take this simple technology into your life and we will make the high-level, long-lived activities you are currently doing simpler. Target activities include supporting elders in staying healthy and independent, motivating individuals to get fit, etc. The Digital Simplicity project applies novel technology in physical activity inference, location estimation, and mobile devices UIs to support people’s high-level, long-lived activities. Our first capstone application, UbiFit, uses this technology to help people improve their physical fitness by making them aware of their current physical activities and encouraging them to do more.