Innovation requires sometimes a loose, process-oriented approach. This page contains research topics, visions, concept pieces or simply work in progress.

From things that think to things that act

The term «ubiquitous computing» (coined by Mark Weiser in 1988, Computer Science Lab of Xerox Parc) denotes the embedding of computation into the environment and the objects of daily life. Ubiquitous computing enables devices to sense changes in their environment and to automatically adapt and act based on user needs and preferences. According to Weiser, ubiquitous computing is a calm technology, where technology recedes into the background of our lives.

Relying on the ideas of ubiquitous computing, there is the «things that think» projekt at MIT Media Lab since 1995. The vision is to augment clothing, jewelry or objects at work by intelligence, networking and interactivity. This shall improve productivity, creativity, safety, welfare and learning. Not only because Weiser's ideas twenty years ago became almost reality today, the project is funded by a number of renowned global players in the IT world.

In this sense we propose the term «ubiquitous robotics» and imagine things which beyond interfacing and networking posses the property of autonomous motion and behaviour. Robotics is the technology that connects sensors and actors intelligently. It enables things to sense and act in space, to process sensory stimuli, decide on behaviours and trigger appropriate actions. Ubiquitous robotics animates our surrounding. Objects change their inner state, their position in space and their form. They do this on demand or by an immanent impetus. From things that think to things that act.

In collaboration with les roboteurs, a product and industrial design collective, we developed the concept and a prototype of a robotized mobile coffee table. The table has all functionalities of a conventional coffee table until you wave your hand. Once it has detected your signal the table will come closer, the chips bowl, your drink, your remote control and ashtray included. Waving differenly makes the table turn on the spot or removes itself again. The table has moods that find expression in the way how it moves (the mood state machine can be disabled) and is also controllable by your TV remote control. It avoids obstacles during motion and is able to put himself away. Many additional features are imaginable: home safety and care, entertainment or cleaning.

According to the concept of calm technology, ubiquitous robotics has a design approach and not an engineering approach. The table does not look like a robot, it looks like a table, it is not a robot with a table shape, it is a table with robot functionalities.

Movie [Quicktime, 5.2 Mbytes]

Table design and images © les roboteurs

Contents in Motion

One innovation of Nurobot's navigation technologies is that motion in space becomes a new creative tool. For the first time, objects can move freely through space liberated from rails, pre-installed routes or a teleoperator. The advance of technical components and the theoretical understanding enable machines today to follow freely programmed and interactive paths safely and with high accuray. Objects in space or space itself become elements of an overall choreography.

An application field are showcases or vitrines in exhibitions or museums. They are usually arranged to form a well-defined layout. A layout that guides the visitor through an exhibition and suggests a certain reading. We think that this is no longer an appropriate approach to display contents as it imposes a perceptive and interpretative authority.

Nowadays where contents are fragmentized, de-hierarchized, hyper-linked and ubiquitous we need to go new ways in their communication.

Imagine a new way to impart information – a swarm of content sources in motion: slowly, impassively, fast, reactively, proactively, meditatively or in any other thinkable way. Imagine this property in a new generation of showcases, information consoles, placards, displays, walls... anything.

Of course, with mobile showcases we have just scratched the surface. Other application scenarios are imaginable. They shall not be published on the web.

Movie files [Quicktime, ca. 700 kbytes]

Robotic Interface Designs

Robotics is the place where interfaces leave the apathy of their two dimensions and extend into space. They become able to re-act and to pro-act of their own accord. Robot technology allows to explore new interaction modalities such as free motion, light, color, sound, vibration, temperature, speech, haptics or gesture. As by their nature robots evoke questions of identity, emotion and intelligence (regardless if the robot possesses them or not), they open up new areas of interaction design, personality design and design of emotional relationships.

Innovative interfaces have the ability to transport and embody new and conventional contents in a unique way. They are about to become a difficult-to-ignore option for exhibitions, museums, or interactive installations.

These interfaces exemplify a progressing technology where people stop perceiving machines as simply tools but as members of their physical and social space.

Contact us if you are interested to enter new terrain in this area. We have the creative and technological possibilities to turn ideas into working systems. Our approach is a result-oriented interdisciplinary process in tight collaboration with our clients.