Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Human-aware ambient agents: supporting task execution and depression treatment

This research project is inspired by social problems such as demographic aging, crime and psychological issues. The environment of people has much influence on the functioning of people. Therefore, by adapting the environment, solutions to these social problems can be found. By gaining insight into the functioning of people and by modeling this insight and applying it in the surroundings of people, an understanding ambience can be created that supports people. These models can be used to complete partial information, for instance by analyzing what kind of information is necessary, or by proposing possible supplements.

One specific project I am working on is developing a (model-based) intervention on a mobile phone for people with a clinical depression. Another project consists of the development of a personal assistent agent that helps people's performance in demanding, stressful work environments.

Research Interests

My research interests include Cognitive modeling, Agent based simulation, and Ambient Intelligence.

ICT4Depression
Within the ICT4Depression project, an intelligent system is developed and analysed for use in primary care. It consists of (1) devices for monitoring activities and biosignals in a non-intrusive and continuous way, (2) treatments for depression and automatic assessment of the patient using mobile phone and web-based communication, (3) computational methods for reasoning about the state of patients, progress of therapies, and the risk of relapse and (4) a flexible system architecture for monitoring and supporting people using continuous observations and feedback via mobile phone and the web.

Funded by the EU under the 7th Framework Programme.

I have been involved in teaching the following courses: