http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/8641 2026-04-18T04:10:24Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33045 Title: Immersive Technologies for Sustainable Behaviour Change: A Systematic Review Authors: Kong, Z; Garaj, V Abstract: ... Description: ... 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32978 Title: Enhancing Intelligence in Multi-Agent Systems with Edge-Assisted Causal Knowledge Aggregation Authors: Nawaz, MW; Alam, MM; Swash, R; Abbasi, Q; Imran, MA; Popoola, O Abstract: Dynamic and uncertain environments pose major challenges for multi-agent autonomous systems, particularly in achieving robust simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) and efficient knowledge sharing across robots. Conventional data-driven methods often overlook underlying causal structures, resulting in spurious correlations and limited generalization. To address this, we present CASK—an edge-assisted causal knowledge aggregation framework that fuses structured causal inference with data-driven learning to improve adaptive decision-making. A key feature is a time-based normalization mechanism that ensures mapping consistency across varying operational speeds, enabling speed-independent transfer of spatial knowledge between heterogeneous agents. We validate CASK through simulations and real-world experiments using autonomous ground vehicles, a class of mobile robots. Results show substantial gains over state-of-the-art methods: up to 20% higher success at low speeds, 40% at high speeds, 50% lower trajectory deviation, and 45% fewer re-planning steps. These findings demonstrate how causal inference combined with mobile edge computing enables scalable, reliable, and generalizable autonomy in multi-agent systems. Description: Data availability: The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study, including occupancy grid maps, robot trajectories, and simulation results, are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Due to hardware-specific constraints, real-world UGV and TurtleBot4 data can be shared in processed form to ensure reproducibility. 2026-01-07T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32976 Title: Evaluating Assistive Product With Designers: How To Understand And Address User Stigma Around Visible And Invisible Disability Authors: Niu, L; Manohar, A; Ning, W Editors: Gray, C; Hekkert, P; Forlano, L; Ciuccarelli, P Abstract: At the DRS conversation held on June 24, 2024, in Boston, researchers from Brunel University engaged in a discourse with ten audience members from diverse global backgrounds on the issue of user stigma in assistive product design. The purpose of this conversation was to delve into the potential challenges faced by disabled users when utilizing assistive products and to propose innovative design strategies aimed at eliminating stigma, fostering social inclusion, enhancing understanding of people with disabilities, and ultimately promoting the construction of a more barrier-free and equitable living environment. Through this discussion, participants gained a deeper understanding of the concept of disability and how design can effectively intervene to mitigate the associated stigma. 2024-06-23T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32975 Title: Understanding stigma through camera-based mobile apps: studies on visually impaired users Authors: Niu, L; Manohar, A; Ning, W; Dong, H Abstract: This study used multiple methods to investigate the stigma experienced by visually impaired people (VIP) when using a camera-based assistive mobile application. Initial investigations, including semi-structured interviews with VIP and a formalised expert conversation with academics and designers, highlighted the role of design and cooperation in mitigating stigma issues. The semi-structured interviews, formalised expert conversation, and co-design workshop were conducted to explore further the multifaceted nature of stigma and its impact on technology use. The findings reveal the complexity of stigma and its effects on the attitudes and abilities of VIP to use technology. Four key themes were identified as the design considerations, namely i) prioritising user autonomy, ii) fostering trust in communication, iii) designing for daily tasks, and iv) involving users in the design process. The developed design guidelines as a result of the study provide references for creating smart assistive mobile apps. Description: Acknowledgements: We want to express our sincere gratitude to the DASH charity organisation in London for their invaluable support in participant recruitment and for providing the venue for the workshops. We also thank all the visually impaired participants, staff, and volunteers who generously shared their time and experiences with us. 2026-01-06T00:00:00Z