Computers are important tools in everyday life, whether as PC or smartphone. In the future, they will increasingly be incorporated in everyday objects and support users wearing the smart watches, display goggles, sensor clothing, among other things. This trend of digitization will be discussed by scientists, product vendors, fashion designers, and users at the ISWC/UBICOMP conference that will be co-organized by KIT from September 12 to 16, 2016, in Heidelberg. Representatives of the media are cordially invited.
“Computer systems are part of our everyday life,” Professor Michael Beigl of KIT emphasizes. He is co-organizer of the ISWC/UBICOMP conference. “In the future, computers will be increasingly incorporated in objects and in the environment and will open up a variety of uses.” A well-known example is the “sensor screw” for Industry 4.0. It monitors the status of machines, plans maintenance intervals, and provides advice with respect to repairs. “Such technologies in our households might reduce the costs of repairing a toaster instead of throwing it away and buying a new one.”
Ubiquitous computers are in the focus of both conferences ISWC (International Symposium on Wearable Computers) and UbiComp (ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing). These conferences are deemed the internationally leading event for computer systems worn on the body and in clothing and integrated into objects. ISWC/UBICOMP will bring together about 800 experts from science, industry, and fashion design. The accompanying gadget show will present latest ideas, technologies, and prototypes. At the industry exhibition, Microsoft, TekGear, and Telekom, among others, will exhibit marketable technologies.
The conference will deal among others on the following topics: Displays, indoor location, augmented reality, virtual reality, augmenting human cognition, internet of things, telemedicine, and many more.
Program Excerpt (the conference language is English):
September 12:
11.00 a.m.
DuoSkin: Rapidly Prototyping On-Skin User Interfaces Using Skin-Friendly Materials, duoskin.media.mit.edu/
TableTalk: Integrating Personal Devices and Content for Commensal Experiences at the Family Dinner Table, http://www.socialnui.unimelb.edu.au/research/meal-times/
2.00 p.m.
MoodLens: Restoring Non-Verbal Communication with an In-Lens Fiber Optic Display, helping people with ALS better communicate, cc.gatech.edu/home/thad/
3.10 p.m.
Bite Glasses – Measuring chewing using EMG and bone vibration in smart eyeglasses, br.de/mediathek/video/sendungen/abendschau-der-sueden/ernaehrung-brille-essen-102.html
September 14:
7.30 p.m.
Gadget Show und Design Exhibition:
- Interactive Workwear: Smart Maintenance Jacket warns of collisions
- Fleurtech: Transformable Smart Dress changes its length
- Active “Hugging” Vest for Deep Touch Pressure Therapy of Autism and ADHD
- StressSense: Skin Conductivity Monitoring Garment with a Mobile App
- Programmable Plaid: The Search For Seamless Integration In Fashion And Technology
More information on the program: www.iswc.net
More information on the design exhibition: iswc.net/iswc16/designexhibition
Michael Beigl holds the Chair for Pervasive Computing Systems of KIT’s Institute of Telematics. His work focuses on the development and integration of modern information and communication technologies into the physical environment. The TECO research group is assigned to the Chair. It cooperates closely with industry in order to push research and development in the area of applied telematics: www.teco.edu.
Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.