Increasing Understanding of a New Environment using Location-Based Notification Systems

The rise in the ubiquity of wireless internet access and handheld computing devices has opened several avenues for Location-Based and Location-Aware applications. Our work introduces an adaptation of a notification system based on Location-centric events and features. Real-time information can be used in order to increase a users’ comprehension of his environment. Our prototype system, seeVT, provides a location-based solution for visitors to the Virginia Tech campus. The system uses handheld computers as an embodiment of a tour guide to introduce visitors to campus (initial pilot only for Computer Science department). We utilized VT’s WLAN infrastructure to interpolate the users’ current location and notify them about points of interests in the area. The notification information is also tailored as per user types and preferences. The goal of the system is to provide sufficient information to impart a long lasting comprehension of features in the user’s environment.