Title:

Ubiquitous Mixed Reality: Designing Mixed Reality Technology to Fit into the Fabric of our Daily Lives

 Abstract:

Technological advancements in the fields of optics, display technology and miniaturization have enabled high-quality mixed reality (AR and VR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) to be used beyond research labs. This enables a novel interaction scenario where the context of use changes drastically and HMDs aim to become a daily commodity. In this talk I will present two perspectives on AR/VR research in the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The one perspective is aiming to improve the technology (e.g., input techniques, haptic devices) and work towards the vision of everyday usable mixed reality. The other perspective is starting to act like an auditing authority and challenging the constant positive perspective on the progress of mixed reality. While both perspectives have the goal of designing MR technology to fit into the fabric of our daily lives, I will argue that HCI research should not only focus on the positive framing. HCI should position itself stronger on the critical side and reflect upon the artifacts and concepts it creates, acting like an auditing authority on itself and other research in the field of AR and VR.

 Bio

Jan Gugenheimer is an Assistant Professor (Maître de conférences) for Computer Science at Télécom Paris (Institut Polytechnique de Paris) inside the DIVA group, working on several topics around Mixed Reality (Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality). He received his Ph.D. from Ulm University, working on the topic of Nomadic Virtual Reality. During his studies, Jan worked within a variety of research labs at universities (ETH Zurich, MIT Media Lab) and research institutions (Daimler AG, IBM, Mercedes Benz Research and Development North America, Microsoft Research). His work is frequently published and awarded at leading HCI conferences such as UIST, CHI and CSCW. In his most recent research, Jan is exploring the potential negative and harmful impact of mixed reality technology.

The talk will be held in zoom - link in Outlook invitation