Photo courtesy of paulworthington

Congratulations to Vrishti Gulati who passed her M.S. advancement to candidacy exam today:

Title: Gift Box

Abstract: This paper highlights a research gap in the Internet of Things, i.e., the absence of particular categories of social objects that matter to non-technical everyday users. Social objects are existing physical objects that people bond with, are attached to, or that connect people to each other. We conducted a study, named Gift Box, to specifically look at the social aspects emerging within the Internet of Things (IoT). The study represents gifts, a specific category of social objects that connect people to each other, through pictures on a social media website. The study offers a simulated interaction with the Internet of Things, to identify social objects that matter to users. The study is a first step for users to include objects of their choice. Understanding user engagement and sociality supported within the IoT can lead to a more successfully accepted Internet of Things.

This paper has two contributions: Gift Box user study to identify social objects that matter to users, so that such objects can be included in the Internet of Things and a Technology spectrum for the Internet of Things to support consideration about the kind of objects, technology within the objects, and capability of user contribution to creation of the Internet of Things.

Committee:

1. Dr. Donald Patterson (chair)
2. Dr. Alfred Kobsa
3. Dr. Melissa Mazmanian
4. Dr. Bonnie Nardi
5. Dr. Alladi Venkatesh

Great Job Vrishti!