Researcher focusing on the satisfaction of human needs at 国立情報学研究所 (National Institute of Informatics) in Japan since 2006, I investigate designs of ubiquitous systems to improve the general public's quality of life based on medical, psychological and social knowledge. I am motivated by the possibility to better the everyday life of acquaintances as well as strangers, by the potential of the technologies, by their likely emergence in the next twenty years, and by the lack of humanistic approaches in current developments.
I would like to teach, research into and participate to the development of cyberspace, intelligent environments, robotics, and wearable computers before 2015 because these complementary tasks are far-reaching. Ideally, I would be involved in projects significantly beneficial to well-being and human environments worldwide.
19 October 2007
04 October 2007
Invited talk at 国立情報学研究所 (National Institute of Informatics) in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) about user needs in wearable computing
I gave a talk about user needs in wearable computing at 国立情報学研究所 (National Institute of Informatics) in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) on 04 October 2007 during the 10th Horizons for Information Societies seminar, which was dedicated to ubiquitous computing.
My 45-minutes talk entitled "Needs in Wearable Computing: a User-centred Approach" was a subset of the talk I gave at 연세대학교 (Yonsei university) in 서울 (Seoul, South Korea) on 07 September 2007, which was about the general public's needs in ubiquitous computing.
Several questions from attendees dealt with the universality and completeness of Maslow's theories as a base for my work. Maslow's hierarchical organization of basic needs (physhiology, safety, belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualisation) has been investigated in several cultures, which hinted at a certain universality of his theories. However, people's priorities may not match his model, for example when a person's salient needs are related to belongingness whereas safety needs have not yet been gratified, or when a person gives her life willingly due to value choices (e.g. martyrdom). In the first case, the person is recognized as mentally ill, and in the second case as somebody potentially exceptional. Finally, Maslow did not consider in details what he called unmotivated needs, related to e.g. aesthetics and entertainment. For this, complementary models are required.
Finally, one attendee asked about the industrial impact of my findings. I explained that so far I had taken few successful contacts with Japanese researchers and industrials. However, my worked seemed useful to some Korean researchers interested in the creation of smart clothes, who may select the services to create and their design based on my findings.
One remark about my presentation was that I had not shown clearly that my conclusions particularly apply to wearables. One solution is to make similar analyses applied to intelligent environments, and highlight the differences, which are bound to exist because (1) wearables are used by only one user, (2) wearables can potentially acquire physiological information through direct contact with the body, (3) wearables have limited resources, notably in energy.
My 45-minutes talk entitled "Needs in Wearable Computing: a User-centred Approach" was a subset of the talk I gave at 연세대학교 (Yonsei university) in 서울 (Seoul, South Korea) on 07 September 2007, which was about the general public's needs in ubiquitous computing.
Several questions from attendees dealt with the universality and completeness of Maslow's theories as a base for my work. Maslow's hierarchical organization of basic needs (physhiology, safety, belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualisation) has been investigated in several cultures, which hinted at a certain universality of his theories. However, people's priorities may not match his model, for example when a person's salient needs are related to belongingness whereas safety needs have not yet been gratified, or when a person gives her life willingly due to value choices (e.g. martyrdom). In the first case, the person is recognized as mentally ill, and in the second case as somebody potentially exceptional. Finally, Maslow did not consider in details what he called unmotivated needs, related to e.g. aesthetics and entertainment. For this, complementary models are required.
Finally, one attendee asked about the industrial impact of my findings. I explained that so far I had taken few successful contacts with Japanese researchers and industrials. However, my worked seemed useful to some Korean researchers interested in the creation of smart clothes, who may select the services to create and their design based on my findings.
One remark about my presentation was that I had not shown clearly that my conclusions particularly apply to wearables. One solution is to make similar analyses applied to intelligent environments, and highlight the differences, which are bound to exist because (1) wearables are used by only one user, (2) wearables can potentially acquire physiological information through direct contact with the body, (3) wearables have limited resources, notably in energy.
21 September 2007
Publication #16 - 基本欲求を満たすウェアラブル・コンピュータ：子供と高齢者の特徴 (Fundamental Needs in Wearable Computing: Specificities of Young People and Older Adults)
My 4-pages paper "基本欲求を満たすウェアラブル・コンピュータ：子供と高齢者の特徴" ("Fundamental Needs in Wearable Computing: Specificities of Young People and Older Adults") written with 橋爪宏達 (HASHIZUME Hiromichi) was published at the 日本バーチャルリアリティ学会第12回大会 (12th annual conference of the Virtual Reality Society of Japan) the 21 September 2007 (see post on VRSJ大会 2007).
Abstract: Young people and older adults have specific needs reflected by their growth and decline, activities and use of technology. First, we briefly present their cognitive, physical, and sensory characteristics. Then, based on impacts on fundamental needs, we discuss dedicated systems that exploit wearable computers, and the proper design of such systems. Our most significant contribution is to provide the first overview of age-related specific needs in wearable computing.
Publication: <http://horizons.free.fr/home/documents/publications/2007-09-21_vrsj_needs-wearable-young-older.pdf>
Co-author: 橋爪宏達 (HASHIZUME Hiromichi) obtained his Ph.D. of engineering in Japan from the electric engineering section of 東京大学 (University of Tokyo). He is currently professor at 国立情報学研究所 (National Institute of Informatics) in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan).
Abstract: Young people and older adults have specific needs reflected by their growth and decline, activities and use of technology. First, we briefly present their cognitive, physical, and sensory characteristics. Then, based on impacts on fundamental needs, we discuss dedicated systems that exploit wearable computers, and the proper design of such systems. Our most significant contribution is to provide the first overview of age-related specific needs in wearable computing.
Publication: <http://horizons.free.fr/home/documents/publications/2007-09-21_vrsj_needs-wearable-young-older.pdf>
Co-author: 橋爪宏達 (HASHIZUME Hiromichi) obtained his Ph.D. of engineering in Japan from the electric engineering section of 東京大学 (University of Tokyo). He is currently professor at 国立情報学研究所 (National Institute of Informatics) in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan).
日本バーチャルリアリティ学会第12回大会 (12th annual conference of the Virtual Reality Society of Japan) in 福岡 (Fukuoka, Japan), 19-21 September 2007
The 日本バーチャルリアリティ学会 (Virtual Reality Society of Japan) organized its 12th annual conference in 福岡 (Fukuoka, Japan) between the 19 and 21 September 2007. My talk "基本欲求を満たすウェアラブル・コンピュータ：子供と高齢者の特徴" ("Fundamental Needs in Wearable Computing: Specificities of Young People and Older Adults") occurred during the session on wearable computing.
After my 10-minutes talk, the chairman asked me to discuss the importance of psychology in wearable computing. This request was pertinent because Japanese research usually focuses on wearable technologies without considering broad issues related to human factors. I indicated that psychology, culture, and age considerations are critical for the creation of wearables suited to the general public, and for the adoption of the technologies. One could ignore this point, develop technologies and wait for somebody else to properly exploit them but this has several drawbacks: (1) nobody may do the proper work because our wearable community is quite small, (2) some features may conflict with human needs and may be difficult to correct afterwards, (3) delays in technological adoption limits potential users' benefits and inventor's financial benefits.
Before finishing, a researcher working on head-mounted displays asked: "How shall we prepare our experiments with children?". I indicated that this is a thorny issue because experiments with children raise ethical problems: our experiments may negatively affect children's health or development due to our ignorance regarding human development from birth to adulthood. Therefore we should at least work with experienced and authorized psychologists and medical doctors.
Read the post "Publication #16" for details about the publication. An overview of my work on young people and older adults was presented two weeks before during a seminar (see related post) at 연세대학교 (Yonsei university) in 서울 (Seoul, South Korea). Details about the specificities of older adults were published in France in April (Publication #12), and details about young people will be presented in South Korea in November (Publication #17).
The conference went on finely and I could benefit from a tour of 九州大学大橋キャンパス (campus Oohashi of Kyushu university). I was particularly impressed by the 環境適応研究実験施設 (research center for human environmental adaptation), which was created to clarify the conditions for healthy and comfortable living environments, with a focus on human environmental adaptability. Its 744m2 building contains: (1) an hyperbaric & hypobaric chamber to simulate deep sea and high altitude air pressure, (2) an illumination chamber to test feelings about light and its impact on e.g. the biological clock, (3) a combined factor chamber with control over air temperature, air humidity and air velocity, (4) a thermal chamber to simulate cold places, (5) a living environment chamber with a bathroom, kitchen and toilets but without windows and clocks, (6) a water immersion chamber, and (7) a thermal radiation chamber. The knowledge gathered by this center as well as the potential for experiments are particularly suited to the development of wearable computers and intelligent environments dedicated to the improvement of the general public's quality of life.
Finally, I discussed with 佐藤 誠 (SATO Makoto), who was my supervisor at 東京工業大学 (Tokyo Institute of Technology) in 2002, and who is still developing haptic systems such as the SPIDAR.
After my 10-minutes talk, the chairman asked me to discuss the importance of psychology in wearable computing. This request was pertinent because Japanese research usually focuses on wearable technologies without considering broad issues related to human factors. I indicated that psychology, culture, and age considerations are critical for the creation of wearables suited to the general public, and for the adoption of the technologies. One could ignore this point, develop technologies and wait for somebody else to properly exploit them but this has several drawbacks: (1) nobody may do the proper work because our wearable community is quite small, (2) some features may conflict with human needs and may be difficult to correct afterwards, (3) delays in technological adoption limits potential users' benefits and inventor's financial benefits.
Before finishing, a researcher working on head-mounted displays asked: "How shall we prepare our experiments with children?". I indicated that this is a thorny issue because experiments with children raise ethical problems: our experiments may negatively affect children's health or development due to our ignorance regarding human development from birth to adulthood. Therefore we should at least work with experienced and authorized psychologists and medical doctors.
Read the post "Publication #16" for details about the publication. An overview of my work on young people and older adults was presented two weeks before during a seminar (see related post) at 연세대학교 (Yonsei university) in 서울 (Seoul, South Korea). Details about the specificities of older adults were published in France in April (Publication #12), and details about young people will be presented in South Korea in November (Publication #17).
The conference went on finely and I could benefit from a tour of 九州大学大橋キャンパス (campus Oohashi of Kyushu university). I was particularly impressed by the 環境適応研究実験施設 (research center for human environmental adaptation), which was created to clarify the conditions for healthy and comfortable living environments, with a focus on human environmental adaptability. Its 744m2 building contains: (1) an hyperbaric & hypobaric chamber to simulate deep sea and high altitude air pressure, (2) an illumination chamber to test feelings about light and its impact on e.g. the biological clock, (3) a combined factor chamber with control over air temperature, air humidity and air velocity, (4) a thermal chamber to simulate cold places, (5) a living environment chamber with a bathroom, kitchen and toilets but without windows and clocks, (6) a water immersion chamber, and (7) a thermal radiation chamber. The knowledge gathered by this center as well as the potential for experiments are particularly suited to the development of wearable computers and intelligent environments dedicated to the improvement of the general public's quality of life.
Finally, I discussed with 佐藤 誠 (SATO Makoto), who was my supervisor at 東京工業大学 (Tokyo Institute of Technology) in 2002, and who is still developing haptic systems such as the SPIDAR.
08 September 2007
Invited talk at 연세대학교 (Yonsei university) in 서울 (Seoul, South Korea) about the general public's needs in ubiquitous computing
Source: <http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/events/2007-09-07_kr-seoul_yonsei-textile-lab.htm>
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.
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.
Publication #15 - Fundamental Needs in Wearable Computing: Constraints on Features & Universal Access
My 6-pages paper "Fundamental Needs in Wearable Computing: Constraints on Features & Universal Access" written with 橋爪宏達 (HASHIZUME Hiromichi) was published at the 10th IFAC symposium on Human-Machine Systems the 4 September 2007 (see post on HMS 2007).
Abstract: The creation of wearable systems should take into account human fundamental needs and diversity as well as ecological settings but they are often neglected in favour of core functions. To guide further research and development, we present and discuss issues related to the variety and evolution of human characteristics, psycho-social needs, fashion, legal frames, interactions between technologies, and physical environments. These elements highlight critical assumptions as well as constraints imposed on the features of wearable computers, and on universal access.
Publication: <http://horizons.free.fr/home/documents/publications/2007-09-04_hms_needs-wearable-constraints-access.pdf>
Co-author: 橋爪宏達 (HASHIZUME Hiromichi) obtained his Ph.D. of engineering in Japan from the electric engineering section of 東京大学 (University of Tokyo). He is currently professor at 国立情報学研究所 (National Institute of Informatics) in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan).
Abstract: The creation of wearable systems should take into account human fundamental needs and diversity as well as ecological settings but they are often neglected in favour of core functions. To guide further research and development, we present and discuss issues related to the variety and evolution of human characteristics, psycho-social needs, fashion, legal frames, interactions between technologies, and physical environments. These elements highlight critical assumptions as well as constraints imposed on the features of wearable computers, and on universal access.
Publication: <http://horizons.free.fr/home/documents/publications/2007-09-04_hms_needs-wearable-constraints-access.pdf>
Co-author: 橋爪宏達 (HASHIZUME Hiromichi) obtained his Ph.D. of engineering in Japan from the electric engineering section of 東京大学 (University of Tokyo). He is currently professor at 国立情報学研究所 (National Institute of Informatics) in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan).
10th IFAC symposium on Human-Machine Systems in 서울 (Seoul, South Korea), 4-6 September 2007
The International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) successfully organized the 10th international symposium on Analysis, Design, and Evaluation of Human-Machine Systems in 서울 (Seoul, South Korea) between the 4 and 6 September 2007. My talk "Fundamental Needs in Wearable Computing: Constraints on Features & Universal Access" occurred during the first session on interface design.
My 15-minutes talk went well and I was just asked one question at the end: "Are you developing a system based on this work?". The answer was yes: we are developing a system for bonding and support within the family. This system should deepen our understanding of human needs in ubiquitous computing, and hopefully validate more strongly the work done so far. Read the post "Publication #15" for details about the publication.
The conference was well-managed every day: the talks were properly selected, most speakers were present, excellent lunches and dinners were included, and a Korean-style show with music and songs gave a charming touch to the banquet.
I met a few interesting people including a South Korean psychologist working for 웅진코웨이 (WoongJin Coway), who was interested in the implications of my research for the design of robots for the general public. We may discuss this more deeply during my next visit.
My 15-minutes talk went well and I was just asked one question at the end: "Are you developing a system based on this work?". The answer was yes: we are developing a system for bonding and support within the family. This system should deepen our understanding of human needs in ubiquitous computing, and hopefully validate more strongly the work done so far. Read the post "Publication #15" for details about the publication.
The conference was well-managed every day: the talks were properly selected, most speakers were present, excellent lunches and dinners were included, and a Korean-style show with music and songs gave a charming touch to the banquet.
I met a few interesting people including a South Korean psychologist working for 웅진코웨이 (WoongJin Coway), who was interested in the implications of my research for the design of robots for the general public. We may discuss this more deeply during my next visit.
19 April 2007
Publication #12 - Fundamental Needs in Wearable Computing: Specificities for the Third Age
My 4-pages paper "Fundamental Needs in Wearable Computing: Specificities for the Third Age" written with 橋爪宏達 (HASHIZUME Hiromichi) was published at the 9th Virtual Reality International Conference (aka Laval Virtual) the 19 April 2007.
Abstract: Older adults have specific needs reflected by their everyday activities and use of technology. We briefly present elders' cognitive, physical, and sensory characteristics, then describe their impact on fundamental needs. Based on this information, we discuss dedicated services that exploit wearable computers, and the proper design of such systems. Our most significant contribution is to provide the first overview of third age persons' specific needs in wearable computing.
Publication: <http://horizons.free.fr/home/documents/publications/2007-04-19_vric_wearable-third-age.pdf>
Co-author: 橋爪宏達 (HASHIZUME Hiromichi) obtained his Ph.D. of engineering in Japan from the electric engineering section of 東京大学 (University of Tokyo). He is currently professor at 国立情報学研究所 (National Institute of Informatics) in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan).
Abstract: Older adults have specific needs reflected by their everyday activities and use of technology. We briefly present elders' cognitive, physical, and sensory characteristics, then describe their impact on fundamental needs. Based on this information, we discuss dedicated services that exploit wearable computers, and the proper design of such systems. Our most significant contribution is to provide the first overview of third age persons' specific needs in wearable computing.
Publication: <http://horizons.free.fr/home/documents/publications/2007-04-19_vric_wearable-third-age.pdf>
Co-author: 橋爪宏達 (HASHIZUME Hiromichi) obtained his Ph.D. of engineering in Japan from the electric engineering section of 東京大学 (University of Tokyo). He is currently professor at 国立情報学研究所 (National Institute of Informatics) in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan).
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