Human-computer interaction is the stuff of science fiction novels. Here are some cool ideas that eliminate the fiction by way of some really kick-ass science and innovative thinking.
From headsets that read your brainwaves and respond to your facial expressions and emotional experiences to instant access to relevant information that can “…help us make optimal decisions about what to do next and what actions to take” to cookie-sized, computerized tiles you can stack and shuffle in your hands to tangible interface music cubes, where the musician controls the system by manipulating tangible objects.
Man. I love this stuff.
Tan Le: A Headset That Reads Your Brainwaves
“Up until now, our communication with machines has always been limited to conscious and direct forms. Whether it’s something simple like turning on the lights with a switch, or even as complex as programming robotics, we have always had to give a command to a machine, or even a series of commands, in order for it to do something for us.” – Tan Le
Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry: SixthSense
“I’ve been intrigued by this question of whether we could evolve or develop a sixth sense — a sense that would give us seamless access and easy access to meta-information or information that may exist somewhere that may be relevant to help us make the right decision about whatever it is that we’re coming across.” – Patti Maes
“…what if when we used a computer, instead of having this one mouse cursor that was a like a digital fingertip moving around a flat desktop, what if we could reach in with both hands and grasp information physically, arranging it the way we wanted?” – David Merrill
The Reactable was conceived and developed since 2003 by a research team at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. Sergi Jordà, Martin Kaltenbrunner, Günter Geiger and Marcos Alonso presented their creation for the first time in a public concert at the International Computer Music Conference 2005 in Barcelona.
Oh – and BTW, if anyone’s thinking about getting me a gift for Christmas, Reactable Live would be perfect!
