UBI Pilot 2010

UBI Pilot 2010, a field trial of the UBI Hotspots, is run at downtown Oulu during the upcoming summer. UBI Pilot 2010 continues the work begun by the field trial of 2009, where the interactive UBI Hotspots and related services were tested in a realistic environment of use.

The goal of the field trial is to guide the citizens and tourists visiting Oulu in using the hotspots, and to collect research data for the purposes of the UBI Program. Among others, one important method of data gathering is interviewing people using UBI Hotspots.

The UBI Hotspots have been renewed, and improvements include better usability and look and feel. New services have also been added, and existing services improved.

The UBI Program and UBI Pilot 2010 are coordinated by the MediaTeam Oulu research group at the Department of Electrical and Information Engineering in the University of Oulu. The program is funded by the Academy of Finland, City of Oulu, TEKES, and consortium of business partners.

UBI Guidance

During UBI Guidances of summer 2010, researchers will demonstrate the features of UBI Hotspots and provide instructions on using the different services found at the hotspots.

Part of the available services also utilize a mobile device as a personal input device. Users can either use their own smart phone, or borrow one during the guidance. After testing users are asked to fill in a short questionnaire about their experiences. Every user who fills in a questionnaire gets a free coffee and bun at Kauppahalli!

The UBI Guidances are held every Thursday from 1pm to 2pm at the UBI Hotspot in the City Marketplace, next to the Toripolliisi statue. The first guidance will be on Thursday 17.6.2010. Participation is free, and does not require registration in advance.