Jeffrey Tzu Kwan Valino Koh

CoDine: an interactive multi-sensory system for remote dining

The pervasiveness of computing has extended into domestic realms, including the dining room. Beyond simply a place to consume food, the dining room is a social hub where family members meet and share experiences. Yet busy lifestyles can make it difficult to spend social time with your family. To provide a new solution for family bonding, this paper presents the CoDine system, a dining table embedded with interactive subsystems that augment and transport the experience of communal family dining to create a sense of coexistence among remote family members. CoDine connects people in different locations through shared dining activities: gesture-based screen interaction, mutual food serving, ambient pictures on an animated tablecloth, and the transportation of edible messages. Rather than focusing on functionality or efficiency, CoDine aims to provide people with an engaging interactive dining experience through enriched multi-sensory communication.

Liquid interface: a malleable, transient, direct-touch interface

We present a new methodology based on ferromagnetic fluids in which the user can have direct interaction (input/output) through a tangible and malleable interface. Liquid Interfaces uses the physical qualities of ferromagnetic fluids in combination with capacitive, multi-touch technology, to produce a 3D, multi-touch interface where actuation, representation, and self-configuration occur through the malleable liquid, ferromagnetic fluid. This, combined with the ability to produce sound, enables users to create musical sculptures that can be morphed in real time by interacting directly with the ferromagnetic fluid.

A Design Process for Lovotics

We refer to human-robot relationships as Lovotics. In this paper a design process for Lovotics is presented. In order to invoke these relationships, technological solutions can only take us so far. Design played an important role in order to engage users to explore the possibilities of bi-directional, human-robot love. We conducted a user-centric study in order to understand these factors and incorporate them into our design. The key issues of design for developing a strong emotional connection between robots and humans are investigated. A questionnaire is proposed and based on the results of this a robot with minimal design is developed.

Towards robotics leadership: an analysis of leadership characteristics and the roles robots will inherit in future human society

This paper aims to present the idea of robotics leadership. By investigating leadership definitions and identifying domains where humans have failed to lead, this paper proposes how robots can step in to fill various leadership positions. This is exemplified by referring to two examples, stock brokering and transportation, and explains how robots could be used instead. Furthermore, this paper aims to provoke discussion by identifying firstly some potential limitations of robots in leadership positions and secondly by proposing that our current technological ecosystem not only is suited for machines to assume leadership positions but rather is inherently headed towards it.

CULTURAL ROBOTICS: The Culture of Robotics and Robotics in Culture

In this paper, we have investigated the concept of “Cultural Robotics” with regard to the evolution of social into cultural robots in the 21st Century. By defining the concept of culture, the potential development of a culture between humans and robots is explored. Based on the cultural values of the robotics developers, and the learning ability of current robots, cultural attributes in this regard are in the process of being formed, which would define the new concept of cultural robotics. According to the importance of the embodiment of robots in the sense of presence, the influence of robots in communication culture is anticipated. The sustainability of robotics culture based on diversity for cultural communities for various acceptance modalities is explored in order to anticipate the creation of different attributes of culture between robots and humans in the future.

Linetic: Technical, Usability and Aesthetic Implications of a Ferrofluid-Based Organic User Interface

We present an OUI that combines Hall Effect sensing and actuation through electromagnetically-manipulated ferrofluid. The movement of magnets worn on the fingertips, over a surface embedded with a Hall Effect sensor array and electromagnets, gives the user the ability to interact with ferrofluid. This system provides a three-dimensional, physically animated response, as well as three-dimensional, spatial-sensing inputs. The vibration of the magnets worn on the fingertips, produced by the repulsing polarity of the electromagnets, provides the user with haptic feedback. Linetic is a multimodal interface with a visual, audio and haptic experience. In this manuscript we explain the overall system from a technical, usability and aesthetic viewpoint by outlining significant experiments conducted that contribute to the development of the system. Furthermore we discuss the philosophical and aesthetical implications of the Linetic system, as well as characterize Linetic’s disposition to Analogness or Digitalness.

Flavor visualization: Taste guidance in co-cooking system for coexistence

Currently we are developing a co-cooking system that helps users to make similar tasting dishes, even though users may all be in remote locations and potentially cooking at different times.

AmbiKraf Byobu: Merging Technology with Traditional Craft

In this paper, we present a synergy of technology and traditional craft made possible with AmbiKraf Byobu. AmbiKraf is a non-emissive, color-changing fabric technology that allows subtle animations on fabrics. Byobu is a traditional Japanese room-divider screen, usually painted by artisans and crafts people. We first discuss the organic qualities of AmbiKraf technology that particularly lend itself to traditional art and craft practice. These qualities include the animation of ambient, non-intrusive and calming motifs using non-emissive display characteristics. We then discuss in detail how AmbiKraf technology is implemented and paired with the art form of Byobu. Interaction with the system is also briefly touched upon, as well as discussion regarding the cultural implications and mutual benefit of combining technology with traditional craft. Through the use of AmbiKraf technology embodied by the Byobu, we hope to provide a convincing example that sensitively combines traditional textile crafts with new technology in order to help redefine the meaning and role of traditional textiles.

Responsive multisensory environments as a tool to facilitate social engagement in children with an autism spectrum disorder

This paper presents an ongoing Design-based human study with a multisensory environment (MSE) and discusses the potential for the space to facilitate social engagement between children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and their parent or carer. The tool is presented as an alternative to existing MSEs and other technologically based therapeutic interventions and discusses the importance of an awareness of agency in establishing communicative behaviours. By using clear and predictable types of interaction, this MSE aims to recognise other modes of engaging and communicating through sensory experiences.

Designing Interactive Paper-Craft Systems with Selective Inductive Power Transmission

Paper, as a traditional material for art and communication, shows great potential as a medium for organic user interfaces, with its ubiquity and flexibility. However, controlling and powering the sensors and actuators that enable interactive paper-crafts has not been fully explored. We present a method of selective inductive power transmission (SIPT) to support interactive paper-crafts. The novelty of this method is that the power transmitter can be controlled to selectively activate one specific receiver at a time through inductive power transferring with multiple receivers. This was achieved by changing the output frequency of the power transmitter to match the impedance of the receivers. The receivers could be embedded or printed to drive paper-crafts. Based on inductor–capacitor oscillating circuit and a function generator with a power amplifier, we developed two different prototypes of SIPT. By comparing the performance of both prototypes, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the two systems, and their applications in different contexts of paper-crafts. In addition, we proposed the instructions for using SIPT in developing interactive paper-crafts. With this technology and instructions, we hope to facilitate users to easily design new types of paper-craft systems without being concerned about the arrangement of wire connections to power supply on a massive scale.