Fluidtime

06Dec03

As always, the people at Interaction Ivrea are doing cool stuff. This time it’s something called Fluidtime which is flexible mobile based scheduling. Basically your mobile device (cell phone, etc) tells you when your bus is coming, when the laundry machine will be free, when your doctor will actually be with you, etc. Sounds like a pretty sweet idea and we might be able to learn some things from their architecture and interface.

What will make it great? Our criteria for success:

We consider the following qualities critical in the design of a successful time planning service:

Accurate, dynamic information. Fluidtime has the potential to have a dramatic advantage over traditional static schedules. Because our system accesses information in real-time, it should be able to deliver accurate information about dynamic services. Fluidtime should work with the unpredictable nature of events, constantly updating users with the most recent, most accurate time information such as transportation, delivery, or health services.

Relevant, personalised information. Fluidtime must be tailored to each person’s unique needs. Users should not have to search through dozens of train schedules if they are only interested in a single line. Fluidtime users should receive truly personalized information about their doctor’s appointments, dry cleaning, and other services.

At the right time and place. As companies compete for the attention of their customers, they are discovering that more information is not necessarily better. People need information that is relevant to their unique situation. New technologies such as 3G and Bluetooth enable the delivery of location-sensitive information. But what good is information about movie times if one is walking by the theater at 9 am on the way to work? Fluidtime provides information that is relevant to both place and time.

Molly Steenson and Michael Klieslinger are also presenting it at ETCOn 2004 in San Diego.


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