iShake: Mobile phones as seismic sensors: User study findings

Mari Ervasti, Shideh Dashti, Jack Reilly, Jonathan D. Bray, Alexandre Bayen, Steven Glaser

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientific

    22 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The “iShake” system uses smartphones as seismic sensors to measure and deliver ground motion intensity parameters produced by earthquakes more rapidly and accurately than currently possible. Shaking table tests followed by field trial with approximately 30 iShake users were implemented to evaluate the reliability of the phones as seismic monitoring instruments and the functionality of the iShake system. In addition, user experiences were investigated with 59 iShake users, who provided feedback through a mobile questionnaire. Research included participative planning with a focus group to design and conceptualize how to improve iShake for future use. The shaking table tests demonstrated that cell phones may reliably measure the shaking produced by an earthquake. The performed user studies led to important guidelines for the future development and improvement of the iShake system. User studies also provided understanding of how iShake could best provide value to its users. The iShake system was shown to have great potential in providing critical information and added value for the public and emergency responders during earthquakes. Value creation for other users and first response through user-generated data was seen as a great source of motivation and commitment for active use of the system.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 10th International Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Multimedia, MUM '11
    PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery ACM
    Pages43-52
    ISBN (Print)978-1-4503-1096-3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011
    MoE publication typeB3 Non-refereed article in conference proceedings
    Event10th International Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Multimedia, MUM 2011 - Beijing, China
    Duration: 7 Dec 20119 Dec 2011

    Conference

    Conference10th International Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Multimedia, MUM 2011
    Abbreviated titleMUM 2011
    Country/TerritoryChina
    CityBeijing
    Period7/12/119/12/11

    Keywords

    • Earthquake
    • seismic sensor
    • smartphone
    • Apple iPhone
    • post-earthquake notification
    • field trial
    • user experience
    • value creation
    • California

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'iShake: Mobile phones as seismic sensors: User study findings'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this