Context-Aware Computing

Paint Job Transforms Walls Into Sensors, Interactive Surfaces

Two men stand in front of a white wall. The locations of where they are touching the wall are visible on a nearby laptop screen.

Smart Walls React to Human Touch, Sense Activity in Room

Walls are what they are — big, dull dividers. With a few applications of conductive paint and some electronics, however, walls can become smart infrastructure that sense human touch, and detect things like gestures and when appliances are used.

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Disney Research found that they could transform dumb walls into smart walls at relatively low cost — about $20 per square meter —using simple tools and techniques, such as a paint roller.

Sensor Data Mining and Wearable UI/UX

2014

Our research in sensors and machine learning techniques seeks to improve HCI experience by developing objective and near real-time methods for recognizing end-users’ behavioral patterns and in-situ contexts. For this, we utilize a range of sensor devices (e.g., eye trackers, ECG-enabled armband, GSR fingertip sensors, wireless EEG headset and HR monitor) to identify patterns in perceptual and cognitive activities between individuals at different levels of task-complexity.

Context-Aware Computing Enabling Technologies Faculty

Pediluma

Motivating Physical Activity Through Contextual Information and Social Influence 2011

Pediluma is a shoe accessory designed to encourage opportunistic physical activity. It features a light that brightens the more the wearer walks and slowly dims when the wearer remains stationary. This interaction was purposely simple so as to remain lightweight, both visually and cognitively. Even simple, personal pedometers have been shown to promote walking. Pediluma takes this a step further, attempting to engage people around the wearer to elicit social effects.

Context-Aware Computing Design Research Healthcare Social Computing Faculty
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