I was invited by 조 길수 (CHO Gilsoo), director of the 스마트의류 기술개발연구소 (smartwear research center), to give a talk about the general public's needs in ubiquitous computing at 연세대학교 (Yonsei university) in 서울 (Seoul, South Korea) on 7 September 2007. I strolled in the campus of the university for the first time, discussed with specialists in smart clothing, and saw prototypes.
I appreciated very much the director's warm welcome and our discussions about 연세대학교 (Yonsei university), the Korean industry, culture and education, the relationships with Japan, and the state of research in smart clothing. 생활과학대학 (The college of Human Ecology), where she is a professor, is quite exciting, with sections in clothing & textiles, food & nutrition, housing & interior design, child & family studies, and human environment & design. This academic setting is very attractive for its strong link with quality of life and human basic needs.
My 1-hour entitled "General Public's Needs in Ubiquitous Computing: Design Based on Psychology, Culture and Age" was based on former works about the perception of smart clothes by the general public (Publication #6, Publication #8), on recent works about the specificities for older adults (Publication #12), and on unpublished works about the specificities for young people (publication #16 and publication #17). Due to a trend for the integration of intelligence in clothes and houses, students and researchers in fashion, interior design, textile, and psychology attended the presentation. They asked questions about the design of the questionnaires used to evaluate the general public's perception of technology, the cause of the rejection of artificial intelligence to control smart clothes in France and Japan, and the transfer of findings about wearable computers to intelligent environments.
Finally, a small group of Koreans working on smart clothes presented the group's activities, answered my questions, and showed me prototypes of smart clothes while explaining the techniques used and challenges. Interesting elements included textile keypads, and textile connectors. The keypads were used on sleeves of small tops for children, and the textile connectors notably transmitted data from sensors detecting ultraviolet light, embedded in a ski suit. The garments had been featured at the fashion show "Smart Clothing 2007" held in 서울 (Seoul) the 11 May 2007.Globally, the visit was very satisfactory and enriching.
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