Workflow Architecture for Model-Based Development of User-Centric Automation and Assistive Devices

This paper describes an on-going effort in building user-centric automation and assistive devices from workflows. Advantages of this approach include that workflow-based devices and systems are naturally componentized and easily configurable. Models of a new device, user actions and users defined in terms of activities and workflows are executable. We can use them to simulate the device and its interactions with the user for requirement capture and design purposes. Later on in the development process, programs and other resources required by the device workflows become available. By using them, the workflow model of the device becomes its implementation. The workflows used to model user actions define the use scenarios and scripts for testing and evaluation. Keywords-workflow-based model and design, user models executable behavior specification