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VA-PEPR went to Hong Kong!

Giving Form to the Invisible: Can we make in-home network data traffic tangible to users?

Junginger, S., Tödtli, B. & Ulmer, T. (2023, July 5-7). Giving Form to the Invisible: Can we make in-home network data traffic tangible to users? To be presented at DeSForM 2023, Hong Kong.

Prof. Dr. Sabine Junginger presented the network data traffic analysis study conducted with Dr. Beat Tödtli and Tom Ulmer (MSc) at the 12th International Conference on Design and Semantics of Form and Movement (DeSForM) in July 2023.

Abstract: Most people now connect to the Internet of Things (IoT) through a number of devices within the privacy of their homes. The data traffic generated by smart home and other connected devices remains invisible and intangible to everyday users. Is it possible to make these complex data flows visible in one form or another, and with that accessible and graspable for people? Is there a path for everyday users to participate in desirable future developments, meaningful services, and relevant policies? If so, how do we go about conducting such user research? In this paper, we report and reflect on an experimental study conducted by an interdisciplinary research team with these questions in mind. We explore the possibilities and limitations of a non-intrusive, plug & play network monitoring device. Our findings point to opportunities for empowering participants in sensitive environments like the home and produce insights into how designers may collaborate with researchers in data analysis to make the invisible visible.