SLIDE 1
Active Forms for Responsive Environments
Simon SCOTT-HARDEN
School of Design, Northumbria University, Newcastle on Tyne simon.scott-harden@northumbria.ac.uk +44 (0) 7940 729 778
SLIDE 2 This research is on Active Forms, which we define as interactive devices that act as gateways to Responsive Environments. Responsive Environments are physical spaces enhanced with an Ambient Intelligence System that deliver context awareness, ubiquitous computing, natural interaction and a predefined user experience (UX)*. The research proposed is multi-disciplinary in nature and involves product and interaction design, as well as user interface and adaptation.
Research Overview
* Alves Lino J., Salem B., Rauterberg M., Responsive Environments: User Experience for Ambient Intelligence
SLIDE 3
Active Forms are an extension of Tangible User Interfaces (initially known as graspable interfaces). Active Forms are about symmetrically coupling digital and physical elements of an interface in an Integrating Combination. With an Active Form, interactive tasks are performed through physical manipulations. Active Forms are acted on (as an object), acted with (as an interface) and acted through (as a gateway).
Background
SLIDE 4 TUI are reactive devices that require a user input to change shape or appearance. Active Forms are interactive devices that change shape and appearance as a result of the following: There is a connection that appears seamless to the user, between the Active Form as a physical object, an interactive device and the system beyond it: the responsive environment
TUI vs. Active Forms
- User actions.
- A change to the internal state of the device.
- To the embodied application.
SLIDE 5
Active Forms are interactive devices that are both reactive to user actions and proactive in displaying information. They are a gateway to applications or services (e.g. RE). Changes in Active Forms are a result of either, user actions or internal actuators; both in the physical form and in appearance. The user actions and the device reactions are merged and are spatially co-located. Active Forms act as the RE embodiment; as physical objects, and have aesthetic value per se.
Key Features of Active Forms
SLIDE 6 Requirements of Active Forms A e s t h e t i c s A f f
d a n c e I n f
m a t i
B a n d w i d t h C
t e x t S u i t a b i l i t y
U s e r E x p e r i e n c e I n t e g r a t i
SLIDE 7 Active Forms: Zutea
Zutea: Ruben Meeldijk
SLIDE 8 Active Forms: EmDis
Embody the Disembodied: Vic van Hensberg
SLIDE 9 RE: Atmosphere Flipbook
Atmosphere Flipbook: Philips Research
SLIDE 10 Current Technologies: ShapeShift
ShapeShift: Electro-Active Polymer Exploration, ETH Zurich
SLIDE 11
The Future: ET and Shaking Hands
SLIDE 12 Research Methods
Iteration 2 Iteration 3 Iteration 1 Development Development Development
Empirical Research through Design Method*
* Keyson D.V., Bruns Alonso, M., Empirical Research Through Design
- Hypothesis of a causal relationship between design
choices, usability and UX
- Functional prototypes of Active Forms will be used to
run experiments within a RE
SLIDE 13
How to design, measure and assess the user experience? What will the embedded interaction be and how to couple it with the affordance of the Active Forms? How to effectively merge the modalities afforded by the Active Form? What algorithms for user adaptation should be investigated to ensure a tailored interaction (one that is refined when the user is gaining expertise)?
Key Research Questions
SLIDE 14
Active Forms for Responsive Environments
Simon SCOTT-HARDEN
School of Design, Northumbria University, Newcastle on Tyne simon.scott-harden@northumbria.ac.uk +44 (0) 7940 729 778
Supervisor: Dr Benjamin SALEM
