Browsing by Author "Ng, Wai Shan (Florence)"
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Item Open Access Collocated Interaction with Flying Robots(2011-03-21T15:43:58Z) Sharlin, Ehud; Ng, Wai Shan (Florence)We introduce a socially motivated interaction technique with collocated flying robots (a quadrotor in our current prototype). Instead of the traditional remote interaction controllers often used when interacting with flying robots and UAVs, we explore the collocated interaction space and suggest a direct interaction technique motivated by social human-robot interaction themes. Our approach is inspired by the types of interaction humans have with birds, specifically falconeering, and is facilitated by gestures-based interaction, while the user is within the field of view of the flying robot. This paper outlines our research goals, task examples, and our overall design approach. The paper also discusses our current prototyping efforts, as well as a preliminary evaluation of our approach, performed through two design critiques, studying our collocated interaction technique concept, and its potential, drawbacks and benefits for users.Item Open Access Exercise Pal Mootchi(2011-01-18T16:01:08Z) Ng, Wai Shan (Florence); Sharlin, EhudExercise is vital to maintaining good health, but many people do not work out regularly or often enough. There are many reasons why this is so, but one important factor is the lack of will. Physical exercise is often perceived by inactive people as tiring, repetitive and boring, and generally unattractive. Psychological motivation and emotional incentive can play an important role in whether a person would head for a jog or remain in front of their computer or head for the fridge. We propose a virtual pet, Mootchi, which will provide users with an emotional incentive for exercising. Mootchi engages users by expressing sadness from time to time, and asking them to care for it, and help Mootchi regain happiness. Mootchi becomes sad if it’s static and idle for too long, and requires physical movement in order to feel happy again. In order to make the emotional state of Mootchi explicit and unavoidable Mootchi is embodied in a portable form, and is being constantly projected as part of the user physical environment. This work-in-progress report outlines our prototype implementation and initial findings based on a design critique.