Understanding Physical Activity through 3D printed Material Artifacts: CHI 2014 talk

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Understanding Physical Activity through 3D Printed Material Artifacts ROHIT ASHOK KHOT, FLORIAN ‘FLOYD’ MUELLER, LARISSA HJORTH EXERTION GAMES LAB, RMIT UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA

description

In this talk, we advocate a novel approach of representing physical activity in the form of material artifacts. By designing such material representations, we aim to understand what these artifacts might offer in terms of reflecting upon physical activity. For example, what types of affect do material artifacts, representing ones’ physical activity create for the user? In order to advance this understanding, we designed a system called SweatAtoms that transforms the physical activity data based on heart rate into 3D printed material artifacts. We conducted an “in the wild study” by deploying our system in six households where participants were experiencing five different material representations of their physical activity for a period of two weeks each. We found that the material artifacts made participants more conscious about their involvement in physical activity and illustrated different levels of engagement with the artifacts. Along with reporting the gained insights from the deployments, we offer reflections on designing material representations for physical activity. We hope that our work will inspire designers to consider new possibilities afforded by digital fabrication to support user’s experience with physical activity by utilizing interactive technologies at our disposal.

Transcript of Understanding Physical Activity through 3D printed Material Artifacts: CHI 2014 talk

  • 1. Understanding Physical Activity through 3D Printed Material Artifacts ROHIT ASHOK KHOT, FLORIAN FLOYD MUELLER, LARISSA HJORTH EXERTION GAMES LAB, RMIT UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA

2. Physical activity Key to maintain and regain personal health 3. Personal informatics Self monitoring & reflection 4. Virtual representation Interactive capabilities & dynamic updates on data 5. Picture under the glass Focus primarily on visual senses, efficiency and performance goals 6. Are you just a number? Beyond quantification (QS session, SIG Jogging) 7. Material representation Can be touched, explored, carried and even possessed 8. 3D printing Accessible personal fabrication 9. Personal fabrication Energy Expenditure Vs. Additive manufacturing Energy Expenditure vs. Additive manufacturing 10. SWEATATOMS-VIDEO SweatAtoms 11. Material artifacts of physical activity 1. Graph 4.Dice 3. Frog 2. Flower 5. Ring Five representations each following a different aesthetic and informative form 12. Exploratory in the wild study Morning Evening 2 Weeks study with 7 participants in their home Morning: wear heart rate monitor Evening: print 5 objects Semi structured interviews 13. Personal informatics Material artifacts Physical activity Findings Insights gained from the deployment 14. Affection and the Design We love the frog...it is like... Burning your body fats and putting them on the frog. 15. Personalization and Authenticity this is me and my data, you cannot get this in the market. 16. Curiosity and Reminiscence it was exciting to see objects at the end of the day, printing small & big, like a recap of my physical activity... 17. Sustainability What should I do with all these objects if I keep them printing everyday? 18. Recommendations For designing material representations of physical activity 19. #1. Create affection with data Imbue meaning through personalization, utility and authenticity 20. #2. Embrace slowness of 3D printing Encourage delayed feedback to support reflection and reminiscence 21. #3. Tackle sustainability Utilize temporal representations 22. Make the invisible tangible Thank you. [email protected]