Adam Little @ CIID

IDEO created these three video scenarios to communicate some of the user experiences made possible by Intel’s advancements in ultra-mobile PC technology. Although Intel is not in the business of making products like the ones depicted, it is in their best interest to show companies that are (i.e. Sony, Samsung, etc.) what is possible with Intel’s chips.

I am posting this because I think it is a good example of a typical “future scenario” video that focuses on consumer technologies and user experiences.

I will continue to post videos related to future visions and scenarios, one of the domains of my final project

Fitness club ad in the Netherlands, image from unpressablebuttons.com

This fitness club advertisement displays the weight of whoever is sitting on the bust stop bench, reminding them (or possibly shaming them) to think about exercise. It is another example of real-time data and public displays.

One of the most cliché of urban computing scenarios is the Minority Report style targeted advertising, but how can you can realistically change a billboard to meet the needs of one person in a group of people (without wearing a special eyeball)? I like that this does the opposite by singling out a person in a group of people, with the expectation that everyone is looking.

Via Unpressable Buttons

The scene in question from Minority Report

The Networked Omniscient (2006) by Evan Allen & Matthew Worsnick

I am also reminded of The Networked Omniscient (2006) by Evan Allen & Matthew Worsnick, in which they re-imagine Times Square filled with advertisements based on real-time data. For example, an NYPD advertisement that reads “There’s a Glock G-34 pistol crossing 44th Street. We’re on it.” Another billboard (sorry for the bad image) advertises a taxi company by reminding an individual of a flight they have later in the day.

I will continue to post observations, inspirations and anything else that I come across in the city or online which may be relevant to urban computing, one of the domains of my final project

Copenhagen cyclists counter

While walking around town tonight I passed this on H.C. Andersens Boulevard, a display that was recently installed which shows the number of cyclists passing by. Red numbers indicate cyclists who passed by that day and blue is a running total for the year. A small sensor placed a few meters before the display changes numbers each time a bicycle rides over it. And according to the Copenhagenize blog, there is a SIM-card in the counter so the information is automatically sent to the City of Copenhagen’s Center for Traffic. Also worth mentioning is that next to the counter is a free pump for your tires!

This is a good example of real-time data and public displays, but it would be great to give these numbers some sort of context… How many cars have passed by? How does today’s number compare to the daily average? What data can the Center for Traffic send back to this display. Anyway, this was taken around 7pm and roughly, almost 7000 cyclists had passed by? 14,000 if you estimate the other side of the street. Well done Copenhagen!

I will continue to post observations, inspirations and anything else that I come across in the city or online which may be relevant to urban computing, one of the domains of my final project

Early morning chat and breakfast to share ideas about thesis

Still frighteningly vague given that this project is due at the end of August, but here it is anyway…

I want my thesis to …

I want my thesis to explore the social contexts of emerging technologies as they play out in people’s everyday lives. I want to emphasise the everyday by keeping my exploration grounded in reality through a process of user research and analysis. My research will look at the present and recent past so that I can ask questions about the future. At the same time I want to investigate the roles of scenarios, fictional narratives and storytelling as a means of exploring given contexts and communicating design concepts.

I’m interested in/inspired by…

I am interested in the behavioural effects of adopting new technologies and how this changes peoples everyday lives over time. I am also inspired by the creative uses of technology, new appropriations and the opportunities these create to help people improve their lives.

I am interested in new technologies and areas of research around the topic of urban computing, which explores the role of ubiquitous computing and networks in urban environments. Such new areas include locative media, location aware devices and participatory sensing.

It is important that this project involves itself with a context, user group or set of values that interests me personally. For example, how technology can support autonomy, spontaneity or mobility while also strengthening relationships, personal networks and communication. More examples include Copenhagen, cycling, empowerment, travel, community building, poor, disabled, exploration, etc..

During my thesis I would like to challenge myself in…

I would like to challenge myself in the early stages of the design process that we have been exploring throughout the year, which include user research, design vision, identifying problems & opportunities and visualising concepts through scenarios, personas and storytelling.