Situated Abilities: Understanding Everyday Use of ICTs

Abstract

The thesis is positioned at the cross of Human-Computer Interaction (HRI), Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) fields, with Universal Design (UD) concepts and literature being orthogonal to those. The main thesis’ contribution is the concept of situated ability that emerged from the findings of two different cases included in the thesis. The situated abilities concept is defined, framed, explained, and exemplified with concrete examples. Its anatomy is presented together with the situated ability continuum that includes low- and high-end abilities. The concept is theoretically anchored in Heidegger’s concept of Befindlichkeit (= situatedness). Other smaller contributions consist of a salutogenic approach to design, concept development, introducing qualitative data analysis methods well established in the medical field to the design fields, and introducing a workshop method of both data collection and analysis to the HCI community. The work is relevant for an audience interested in theoretical and philosophical explorations in design research fields, but also practitioners and activists within Universal Design, or those who wish to create ethical or legal frameworks, guidelines, or recommendations addressing the use of modern technology, such as robots, in the public sector (e.g., homecare, healthcare or education).