Abstract

The rapid proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has accelerated the development of Smart Home environments. However, research in this domain remains constrained by the scarcity of high-quality datasets and the challenges associated with collecting real-world data. The HESTIA simulator addresses this issue by generating realistic synthetic data, but its adoption is hindered by a complex configuration process that requires manual editing and technical expertise. To address these limitations, this work introduces HestiaInteract, a web-based interaction layer that abstracts the low-level configuration required by HESTIA. Rather than merely providing a graphical interface, the proposed platform introduces a structured workflow for semantic scenario modeling, reusable simulation components, automatic input validation, and browser-based execution. By replacing manual JSON editing and script-based configuration with guided visual interactions, the platform reduces technical barriers while preserving the flexibility of the original simulator. A usability study involving 50 participants was conducted to evaluate the proposed solution. The results indicated high levels of satisfaction, ease of use, interaction quality, and clarity in task execution. Participants reported that the interface significantly simplified the simulation process and improved the overall user experience. These findings demonstrate that HestiaInteract enhances the usability and accessibility of the HESTIA simulator, facilitating its adoption and supporting research in intelligent environments.

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