MT: Peter: Affective Computing

AFFECTIVE COMPUTING:

Affective computing is a branch of the study and development of artificial intelligence
that deals with the design of systems and devices that
can recognize, interpret, and process human emotions.
A motivation for the research is the ability to simulate empathy.
The machine should interpret the emotional state of humans
and adapt its behaviour to them, giving an appropriate response for those emotions.


SHYBOT:
Shybot is a personal mobile robot designed to both embody and elicit reflection on shyness behaviors.
Shybot is being designed to detect human presence and familiarity from face detection
and proximity sensing in order to categorize people as friends or strangers for interaction.
Shybot also can reflect elements of the anxious state of its human companion through LEDs and a spinning propeller.

Being shy could be the first social expression to any social situation.
ShyBot is a robotic car with a camera as eyes to see if strange people are around it.
It runs away if it detects a strange face using face recognition.
A shy individual could get started to understand the behavior of shyness
from the audience perspective.
By putting him/her outside the situation of being shy,
s/he could get a better understanding by watching
and interacting from an audience viewpoint.

ShyBot

Source:
-M.I.T's Chia-Hsun Lee & Rosalind W. Picard
-Mit.edu
-Wiki: Affective Computing


KISMET:
Kismet is a robot made in the late 1990s at MIT with auditory,
visual and expressive systems intended to participate in human
social interaction and to demonstrate simulated human emotion and appearance.
In order for Kismet to properly interact with human beings,
it contains input devices that give it auditory, visual, and proprioception abilities.
Kismet simulates emotion through various facial expressions, vocalizations, and movement.
Facial expressions are created through movements of the ears, eyebrows,
eyelids, lips, jaw, and head.

Robot gets talked to
Robot talks


NEXI MDS ROBOT:
Mit.edu
Nexi MDS Robot

Source:
-Mit.edu/


iCAT:
iCat is a plug & play desktop user-interface robot
that is capable of mechanically rendering facial expressions.
This capability makes the robot ideal for studying human-robot interaction.
The robot has been made available by Philips Research (Eindhoven, the Netherlands)
to stimulate research in this area further and
in particular to stimulate research topics such as social robotics,
human-robot collaboration, joint-attention, gaming, and ambient intelligence.

iCat

Oudere mannen omarmen robotkatje
LELYSTAD - Vooral oudere mannen waren zo blij als een kind met hun robotkat iCat.
Dat stelde onderzoeker M. Heerink van het Instituut voor Information Engineering
uit Almere dinsdag.
De docent hield onlangs een eerste proef met het elektronische diertje in woonzorgcentrum
De Ankerplaats in Lelystad. En ook hier bleek de uitdrukking 'toys for boys' op te gaan.

Heerink is sinds kort bezig met een promotieonderzoek naar de acceptatie van robots
door ouderen. De proef in Lelystad leerde hem dat vooral mannen de robotkat
als leuk speelgoed omarmden. Vrouwen waren minder snel overtuigd.

De iCat zit nog in de testfase.
Het gaat om een robotje ter grootte van een kat.
Het elektronische speeltje is een uitvinding van Philips.
Dat elektronicaconcern ziet er een veelbelovende toekomst voor weggelegd.
Het katje zou, afhankelijk van iemands wensen,
onder meer dvd-spelers kunnen programmeren of de lichtsterkte van lampen regelen.
De multinational richt zich daarbij op zowel jong als oud.

Heerink was vanwege zijn promotiestudie vooral benieuwd naar de reacties van ouderen.
Belangrijke vraag was of zij het elektronische diertje wel
in hun directe omgeving wilden hebben.
En of ze de functies van het robotkatje snel onder de knie kregen.

"Het ging mij meer om de acceptatie dan om de werking van het apparaat zelf.
Ik heb nog niet alle resultaten uitgewerkt, maar duidelijk is wel dat
niet iedereen het als een aanwinst zag."
De onderzoeker ontdekte overigens niet alleen een snellere omarming door mannen.
Ook vrouwen die al ervaring hadden met computers,
waren beter te spreken over het robotkatje. Heerink:
"Maar het was niet altijd angst van technische leken om hun robot kapot te maken
dat de antipathie veroorzaakte.
Van de 42 deelnemers zetten sommigen de iCat achteraf
toch liever buiten de deur omdat zij niet wilden doorgaan voor zielige ouderen.
Hoewel ze het apparaat verder best handig vonden".

Source:
-Hitech Projects: iCat
-Nu.nl


OTHER ROBOT PETS:
HPI G-Dog Robo
Pleo, a Ugobe Life Form
Foca Robot

Sony Aibo ERS-220A
Sony Aibo + Cat
Sony Aibo + Dog
A collection of robot pets

MP: Jurjen: FATBITCH

Click on the logo for a PDF version of the Fatbitch concept...

MP: Peter: Mice

MP: Peter: Brainstorm Cards

Side A:



Side B:

MP: Peter: Intimate Object

MP: Jurjen: LED Jacket

A LED-jacket with wired gloves.
You can turn the LED arrows on and off by touching the palm of your hands.

MP: liveForum

The problem we'd discovered at a GPTL Unconference,
was that all the discussion information was written down on flip-overs
and was stored someone's home. None of the information was archived.

Now we've found the solution in an Interactive Discussion Table,
which we call, the liveForum:

Stupidity Cycle of Everyday Life

For our class Ideeontwikkeling a bunch of highly intelligent scientists
developed a project named "The Stupidity Cycle of Everyday Life".

Inspired on the wellknown "Lauf der Dingen" and the daily rituals
such as smoking, drinking and playing games.
In the performance you can clearly see the connection between the analog
and digital world.

Check out these photo's, made during the performance:

MP: First animation concept GPTL Table

MT: New Research Keyquestion

We are trying to define our new keyquestion for our 'Calm Technology research':

• In which way does Calm Technology take effect on our GPTL Table?
• How can we -with the gathered knowledge we personally have of calm technology- apply Calm Technology into our GPTL Table?
  
  

MT: Calm Technology

Calm technology describes itself as: Technology in the Periphery.
Which means it's not given the center of attention.
What is in the periphery at one moment may in the next moment come to be at the center of our attention and so be crucial.
It's playing in the back, without us giving it any attention. Untill it changes, then we're aware of it.

As an example:

"Ordinarily when driving our attention is centered on the road, the radio, our passenger, but not the noise of the engine. But an unusual noise is noticed immediately, showing that we were attuned to the noise in the periphery, and could come quickly to attend to it"

The information would be present in the background until needed, move to center stage when needed, then fade to the background again — something like having the television on with the sound turned down until a "news alert" is broadcast.

Good tools should be 'invisible'. It has to become your second nature.
This describes an essential part of Calm technology.
Mark Weiser says at the end of his article 'The World Is Not A Desktop':

"I propose childhood: playful, a building of foundations, constant learning, a bit mysterious and quickly forgotten by adults. Our computers should be like our childhood: an invisible foundation that is quickly forgotten but always with us, and effortlessly used throughout our lives."

What we find interesting was another part of this article:

"Voice command is so well-known in science fiction exactly because it is prominent and attention grabbing -- fiction is supposed to hold our attention. A good tool is not."

Projectweek: Chin. Ind. Res(e)t. :: Hong Kong Concept

The assignment of the project Chin. Ind. Res(e)t was to rebrand/restyle the typical Dutch Chinese restaurant. Choose to restyle the interior, exterior, clothing, branding etc

Peter and I chose to restyle the interior. We wanted to combine our discipline (interactive media) with interior. We chose for the Chinese restaurant Hong Kong (Westersingel, Rotterdam) and came up with ideas such as: Lightning floors when people sit down at the table, or a 360degrees projection on an old traditional Chinese vase. Another idea for this 'Chinese restaurant of tomorrow' was that there will be a chip under your plate, which the table will recognize and keep your plates pleasant warm at that certain spot you placed your plate.

Check out the 3D renders we made for this Hong Kong Concept:

MP: Database structure

MP: How will the database be structured?

Discussion data will be stored in MySQL Database.

Input:

• Keywords
  
• Date
• Time
  
• Chairman
  
• Members
  
• Main Subject
  
• Subtopics
• Main Subject Description
• Subtopics Description
• Member Entries
• Side-sketches
• Sketches
• Conclusions
  

Output (OR):

• Application for Mindz
• Application for Ning
  
• Application for GPTL website
  

MT: 2Do

Mark Weiser: Selected Publications
http://www.ubiq.com/hypertext/weiser/WeiserPapers.html

Mark Weiser: Calm Technology
http://www.ubiq.com/hypertext/weiser/calmtech/calmtech.htm

Mark Weiser: The World is not a Desktop
http://www.ubiq.com/hypertext/weiser/ACMInteractions2.html

• Hoe ziet calm-tech er in 2008 uit?
• Hoe past I.T. daarin?
• Welke andere projecten zijn er op dat gebied?

Google: Gestural Interfaces
Nieuwe onderzoeksvraag + subvragen
Vooronderzoek

MT: Answers 1st assignment

Our research is about using RFID technology for a social network, like GPTL. We are looking for new technologies. We're trying to convert the offline discussions to online data.

Our research question is:
How can we integrate RFID into a social network (such as GPTL),
to connect the on- and offline communication of the network?

RFID technology is used in many ways, such as:

• Mobile Payment (Baja Beach Club)
  
• Track&Trace
• Photobooth van Touch
• Boeken in bibliotheek
• Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)

We need to figure out which of these ways is most capable to be implemented in a social network. An example of how this technology is used, the new system for libraries, they call it "LibBest - Library RFID Management System".
A visual example of how it works:

Great Place to Live Comic

This comic was made by one of the GPTL-members, which we've found on the internet.

This is somewhat similar to what we mean about ideaprocessing at the GPTL-unconferences.
"Is this really what they end up with? Nothing..."

MP: Filter first concept

Ok, now that we got our first concept of the Interactive Table, we need to filter out what GTPL could use.
So picking out the essential parts of our first concept.

Next thing what we have to do is, think of less impossible way of constructing the table.
Things to think about, such as:

• Multiple touchscreens?
  
• Wacom Tablets?
• Projection?
• iPen?

An important thing is, that handwriting can simply be digitalized.

MP: First visual concept

First visual concept of our interactive table for GPTL.

MP: Practical examples

Here are a few examples of techniques we can use for GPTL.
Every example will be added with a small text:

1. Interactive table
LUST: Generation Random



This table, designed by agency LUST from The Hague is an interactive table. Boxes can be placed on the table, which then will show certain information. As soon as you place a box, information will appear on the screen and you're able to drag, resize, scroll and modify the content.
For GPTL: It would be nice to add a draw/write-to-text function into this table. Members are able to group around the table, so everybody can give their input and slide certain info to the other side, rotate content. Brainstorm sessions can be simply drawn on the table, which will be stored and tagged at the database.

Pro's:

• No paper needed
• Groups are around the table
• Everything automatically stored and tagged
• Finger-simple
• Works with either text & images
• Simply add a beamer to the table, for dynamic presentations
  

Con's:

• Not mobile, has to stay at one place
• Expensive solution

2. Digital Whiteboard:
Hitachi StarBoard FX DUO


This Whiteboard from Hitachi is like an old-school chalkboard.
The one difference is that it's a digital whiteboard, you're able to write on it with your fingers.
It's very much alike the Generation Random-table, though it doesn't have the fancy layout.

Pro's:

• Ideal for presentations/brainstorming
• It's designed to really write/draw on it
• It's the same brainstorm methode GPTL uses allready, only then digital.
  

Con's:

• Only one person can work with in at the time
  
• Expensive solution

3. Digital Pen:
Integral iPen

iPen Mouse is a pen-shaped mouse that enables us to control PC and input handwriting.
In particular, it allows natural handwriting just like using a real pen by sensing
its contact pressure with the surface.
Utilizing the recent optical navigation and mouse-hover technology,
i-pen Mouse is lightweight, durable, and able to use on most of surface except glass and shine white paper.
It is designed to work in mouse mode for fast point-and-click action and also in pen mode for writing and drawing actions.
Especially, because i-pen Mouse requires very small surface to write on, it is very ideal for notebook users and perfect for limited workspace.

Pro's:

• Super mobile, pocket size
  
• Everybody can use it (multiple pens?)
  
• Cheap
  

Con's:

• We need an external computer
• Software needed
  
• Not automatically stored and tagged

MT: RFID etc.

What are we going to do now?

• Make an appointment with Mediamatic
• Is RFID the only way for solving the talking-chaos-problem of GPTL? Other technologies?
• If we choose RFID technology, where does this technology best fit in the idea-developing-process of GPTL?
• New technology: Speech-recognition in videos. Automatic chapter-splitter?
• Which discussions are hot at the moment, considering RFID technology?
• Answer the following questions, in the next assignment:

Assignment 1:

1. What's your research about? What's the subject? What's your question?

2. What's written about your subject? How is it visualized?

Which part of your subject is little known about?

3. Why do you think this subject is interesting?

4. Why is this subject also for other parties interesting?

5. How does your subject fit into your specialism?

Compile the answers into a small fairytale.

Interesting links:

• Rfidnederland
• Rfidkenniscentrum
• Waag
• MediaMatic
• Rob Kranenburg "How I learned to love RFID"

MP: Assignment GPTL: On/offline linking

What we want to do for GPTL is:

Developing a way of digitalizing essential parts of the discussions which were held at the unconferences, these will be (automatically) stored online.

Now, we can split this assignment up into two essential questions:

1. Which information should be extracted from these discussions?

2. The filtered information: Where and how will it go online?

1. Which information should be extracted from these discussions?

How will this information be extracted?

Filter & Structure!

Notes and digital notes, interface design? Fill-in-form?

Who are these users of GPTL?
Let's give a short profile-sketch:

A GPTL-member is around the age of 20-50 and has a life-vision to take care of the worls and making it a better place to live/work etc.
Could be either a blue or a white collar worker.
Have -according to themselves- a high intellect.
Most of the time a biologic/green-conscious person.
Uses a lot of computer/mobile phone/internet to communicate with other members.
Fot there is: Twitter, Mindz, Ning, forum of GPTL.

Questions to think about:

Why using paper?

Do they need a digital whiteboard? To digitalize this information.

Does it have be more visual? Less text? Colors? Pictures?

Can we use audio/video-devices?

2. The filtered information: Where and how will it go online?

How is it organized?

All the covered data of the discussion will be stored in a (MySQL) database, sorted by:

• Keywords (tagging)
• Date/time
• Chairman of discussion
• Active members
  
• Main-subject
  
• Subjects, seperately subdivided
• Etc.

How is it presented?

All the data is searchable on an online app, implemented in one of the following sites:
Ning, Mindz or the GPTL-website

Members are allowed to search trough the database by typing things such as: keywords, active members, date, subjects etc (see list above).
They can view and download (PDF, Word) one or multiple discussions, add one to their FavDiscussions list, comment on the published discussion or take it into a chatish environment to continue the discussion.

MT: Antwoord op subvragen

• Bestaat het gebruik van RFID voor on- en offline communicatie inmiddels?
  
  
  • Mobile Payment (Baja Beach Club)
    
  • Track&Trace
  • Photobooth van Touch
  • Boeken in bibliotheek
  • Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)

• Zoja, hoe wordt het gebruikt?
  
  Als voorbeeld nemen we de Photobooth van Touch, tijdens Picnic07. De omschrijving van henzelf luidt:
  
  "A photo booth that encourages people to take photos of themselves with others. By waving multiple tags over a touchpoint inside the booth, a photo is taken, a connection is made and pictures are added to the Picnic website."
  
  Wat neerkomt op: d.m.v. het gebruik van RFID on- en offline koppelen, in dit geval dus met namen en foto's.
  
  
  
  
  Een ander voorbeeld van het gebruik van RFID on/offline is het bekende Track & Trace systeem waarmee veel postorder-bedrijven werken.
  Men kan online zijn of haar zending traceren en precies volgen wanneer, wat en waar het zich bevindt.
  
  Een ludiek voorbeeld hiervan is het project van de Zweedse kunstenaar Erik Nordenankar. Hij koos voor een fictief afstudeerproject waarbij de GPS ontvanger zijn penseel werd. Hierbij maakte hij mede dankbaar gebruik van het Track&Trace systeem van DHL:
  
  
  
  
  

• Is dit effectief?
  
  Deze vraag moet uiteraard kan op verschillende manieren beantwoord worden m.b.t. het doel/functie/doelgroep van de RFID-toepassing.
  
  Het VMI systeem wordt zeer intensief gebruikt door leveranciers en distributiecentra. Voor hen zal dit zeker een effectieve tool zijn.
  
  Het gebruik van Mobile Payment, zoals in bijvoorbeeld de Rotterdamse Baja Beach Club, zal waarschijnlijk minder effectief zijn, omdat dit een zeer selectieve doelgroep aanspreekt, die ook nog eens bereidwillig zijn om een chip in hun arm te laten implementeren.
  
  De Photobooth van Touch is een RFID-toepassing voor "...social and playful purposes." zoals zij zelf zeggen. Het is dus effectief in een speelse manier. Mensen zullen de foto's zien en "The 5 seconds of Fun" - Dr. Masa Inakage beleven.
  Deze "5 seconds of fun" zal in het geval van een RFID-toepassing voor een social netwerk geen effect hebben.
  

MT: Onderzoeksvraag

De onderzoeksvraag voor het komende Crosslab Minor Theorie onderzoek luidt:

Hoe kunnen we RFID integreren binnen een sociaal netwerk (als GPTL),

om een brug te slaan tussen de online en offline communicatie van het netwerk?

Bij deze vraag worden subvragen gesteld:

• Bestaat het gebruik van RFID voor on- en offline communicatie inmiddels?
• Zoja, hoe wordt het gebruikt?
• Is dit effectief?

Door het beantwoorden van bovenstaande subvragen, proberen we een antwoord te vinden op onze onderzoeksvraag.