Awareness and presence amplification in virtual socializing

The opportunity to do a Master Thesis (30 points) in Virtual Socializing was given as an initiative from the department of the Division of Functional Product Development, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. The theory, methodology and result of a project focused on a social connectedness experience is presented in this report. The objective was to develop a system that enhance the awareness and presence of others, implemented in a system that can establish a qualitative video-communication allowing eyecontact. The project started with a literature study acting as guidance data throughout the whole project. Defining the problem and implementation of the gained knowledge was stated in a task clarification and translated into a mission statement. Requirements lists and evaluations of desired properties made it possible to generate concepts using scenario-based brainstorming. Reevaluations and improvements of the concepts resulted in a few concepts that focused on an experience using a communication device. The concepts showed a system that identifies a person and recognise the availability for communication, showed in an interface integrated in the communication device.Validerat; 20101217 (root