Project SIDEKICK
Sidekick integrates a modular technical configuration with a custom authoring environment, thereby facilitating the creation of digital worker guidance.
Depending on the application scenario, different input and output modules can be modularly integrated into the system. By this, e.g., actuators like LED strips or sensors like ultrasonic sensors or buttons can be incorporated and thus facilitate (e.g., by detecting and supporting) the constructed procedural work steps.
Central to the design of SIDEKICK is the utilization of open and accessible components, along with an approach to authoring that is straightforward and component-based for the creation and adaptation of assistance instructions.
This approach facilitates scenario-specific customization while aiming to maintain a low learning curve and use threshold for authoring and modification.
The Challenge
Procedural work environments require adaptable assistance systems, that can be configured to accommodate varying tasks and configurations of companies’ different workstations. This adaptability also regards the range of diverse or specific user requirements and needs.
Specifically inclusive work environments, such practical applicability highly benefits from an emphasis on affordability and configurability, next to the ease of maintainability in everyday use. Thus, developing such an adapted system goes beyond pure technical functionality in practical applicability.
Therefore, a central challenge lies within designing assistance systems that are both technically robust and flexible enough, while also being as user-friendly as possible. As such, ensuring to be easily tailored to specific processes and individual support needs without excessive programming effort or requiring respective programming knowledge.
Research and Development
Development within the SIDEKICK project follows an iterative research and development process, integrating technical prototyping with user-centered investigation.
The preliminary project phases established the initial hardware and software of the demonstrator and documented practical requirements and constraints.
The subsequent work focused on the further development of the authoring environment by conducting a requirements ‘analysis, a concept development, prototypical practical implementation, and evaluation in collaboration with social-sector institution professionals.
The presently ongoing work in this area, within the SIDEKICK project, involves further structuring SIDEKICK as a modular assistance system approach. This encompasses, i.a., refining its interfaces and configurability, as well as overall usability concurrent to it for practical deployment and future research transfer.
AnkerProf
Project Sidekick is part of AnkerPROF, a talent management initiative at the Hochschule Emden/Leer. AnkerPROF focuses on recruiting and qualifying early career researchers for future careers at universities of applied sciences. The program supports academic talents through comprehensive career development, improving employer attractiveness, and offering training to prepare them for their roles in academia.
Funding
Project Sidekick is funded through AnkerPROF (a project of the Hochschule Emden/Leer), which is supported by the joint federal and state program FH Personal and coordinated by the Joint Science Conference (GWK).
