Physical Devices
While computers are often thought of as consisting of a monitor, keyboard and mouse, there are actually many other possibilities. From cell phones and MP3 players to medical devices, and even furry robotic animals - we have been exploring the range of ways that people can interact with computers. Human senses are not limited to vision, and include touch and hearing. Our research at HCIL on physical interfaces is concerned with the development of new physical interfaces which broaden the use of computers outside the standard computer environments. We believe that by changing the place where users and technolgy meet, we can make new work, play, living and learning experiences possible.
Current Projects
ModelCraft
With the availability of affordable new desktop fabrication techniques such as 3D printing and laser cutting, physical models are used increasingly often during the architectural and industrial design cycle.
Tangible Flags
Using Tangible Flags, children on field trips can easily collaborate to create and connect digital information to the real world, but also have the flexibility to explore independently.
Past Projects
Animal Blocks
Our design team partnered with Neurosmith to design an animal version of MusicBlocks, an educational toy for young children.
High-Precision Touchscreens: Museum Kiosks, Home Automation and Touchscreen Keyboards
Between 1987 and 1991 HCIL worked on a series of touchscreen projects for museum kiosks, home automation, and text data entry.
PETS: A Personal Electronic Teller of Stories
These robotic animals enabled children to be storytellers. Now it is a commercial product from Anthrotronix called CosmoBot.
Single Display Groupware / Multiple Input Devices
A Java toolkit to support several simultaneous users of a single computer at the same time.
StoryRooms
Children are able to build their own rooms to tell their own stories using mobile and embedded technologies.
Therapeutic Play with a Storytelling Robot
Using the PETS technologies for a more engaging physical therapy experience. This became the commercial product from Antrotronix.
