Wolves, football, and ambient computing: Facilitating collaboration in problem solving systems through the study of human and animal groups

This paper describes how computer-human interaction in ambient computing environments can be best informed by conceptualizing of such environments as problem solving systems. Typically, such systems comprise multiple human and technological agents that meet the demands imposed by problem constraints through dynamic collaboration. A key assertion is that the design of ambient computing environments towards efficacious human-machine collaboration can benefit from an understanding of competence models of human-human and animal-animal collaboration. Consequently, design principles for such environments are derived from a review of competent collaboration in human groups, such as sport teams, and animal groups, such as wolf packs.