Middleware for providing activity-driven assistance in cyber-physical production systems. Issue 1 (26th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dhiman, Hitesh; Röcker, Carsten
• Is Part Of: Journal of computational design and engineering. Volume 8:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 428
• Page End: 451
• Publication Date: 2020-12-26
• Subjects: human–technology interaction -- human–computer interaction -- crossdevice interaction -- cyber-physical systems -- assistance -- smart factory -- middleware -- actor model -- information system design -- industry 4.0; Engineering -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Computer-aided design -- Periodicals; Computer-aided design; Engineering -- Data processing; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 620.0042
• DOI: 10.1093/jcde/qwaa088
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2288-4300

Abstract

Abstract: Assistance is becoming increasingly relevant in carrying out industrial work in the context of cyber-physical production systems (CPPSs) and Industry 4.0. While assistance in a single task via a single interaction modality has been explored previously, crossdevice interaction could improve the quality of assistance, especially given the concurrent and distributed nature of work in CPPSs. In this paper, we present the theoretical foundations and implementation of MiWSICx ( Mi ddleware for W ork S upport in I ndustrial C ontex ts ), a middleware that showcases how multiple interactive computing devices such as tablets, smartphones, augmented/virtual reality glasses, and wearables could be combined to provide crossdevice industrial assistance. Based on activity theory, MiWSICx models human work as activities combining multiple users, artifacts, and cyber-physical objects . MiWSICx is developed using the actor model for deployment on a variety of hardware alongside a CPPS to provide multiuser, crossdevice, multiactivity assistance. Graphical Abstract: