Human Literate Computers
UMBC Distinguished Professor Zary Segall conducts and promotes research in the area of wearable computers that can read human physiological and emotional states. His projects include third-generation personal music players that monitor the wearer’s emotions to select tracks and employ a neural network to learn a wearer’s preferences, a voice-activated speech recognition-based mobile blogging device, and a system being developed in conjunction with Johns Hopkins Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to deliver physiologic and behavior triggered therapeutic sound to premature infants.
Exploring Form
Although the software architecture and feature set of a wearable device is of great importance, the styling and detailing of the physical device is also a vital consideration. Because wearable devices are both physically and virtually quite close to the body, considerations of fashion and aesthetics are brought to the fore. Building 3D models is a useful method for investigating form, as well as exploring issues of manufacturability and discovering formal metaphors for already familiar objects that may suggest how to use new devices.
Two interns at the IRC used Rhino 3D to design and create digital models of several handheld and wearable devices in support of Professor Segall’s Spring 2005 transdisciplinary CMSC 691W wearable computing class.
Researchers and Creators
Course Faculty and Principle: Professor Zary Segall
Project Director for IRC: Dan Bailey
Lead Modeling and Designer: Chad Eby
Students
UMBC Intern Modelers: Anna Hansen, Joanna Lit
This IRC interdisciplinary collaboration is being supported in part by funds from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.
Imaging Research Center, UMBC © 2024