Abstract

Keywords: Sensory Augmentation; Public Space; Artistic Research; Interface Design; Cognitive Science; Applications

Potential for the improvement of public space through technology is often sought in telephone applications. However, public space exists by grace of physical interaction between people and their environment, whereas smartphones often get in the way of such interaction. In contrast, Sensory Augmentation takes physical interaction as a starting point for applications. In this paper, we therefore explore the innovation potential of Sensory Augmentation for the improvement of public space. This was done by organizing brainstorm sessions aimed to yield design concepts for the application of sensory augmentation in public space. These brainstorms brought together experts in Sensory Augmentation with various stakeholders and resulted in 34 unique design concepts that addressed social interaction, play, health, navigation, and art, in public space. These concepts, for example, included a tool for the management of private space using a personal distance-to-vibration mapping, a sense for physiological changes that are indicative of hunger, and a proposal to improve the safety of ‘smartphone Zombies’. On the basis of our analysis of the 34 concepts, we conclude that Sensory Augmentation holds a broad potential to improve public space. As such, our research provides a first look into this innovation potential and may guide further research on it.

• Michel van Dartel is Director of V2_Lab for the Unstable Media and Research Professor at the Avans Centre of Applied Research for Art, Design and Technology (CARADT). He holds an MSc in cognitive psychology and a PhD in artificial intelligence. Alongside his work at V2_ and Avans, Michel also acts as an independent curator for art venues such as Tent, Mu and Tetem and biennials such as the Dutch Electronic Art Festival. He is an advisor to the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research; a member of the professional boards of the Piet Zwart Institute and Willem de Kooning Academy; a supervisory board member for the Fiber platform, a council member for DutchCulture | TransArtists; a manuscript reviewer for Leonardo; and the editor and author of numerous scientific and artistic articles and books.
• Alwin de Rooij studies creativity: The thinking processes that make the creation of new, useful, and elegant ideas, solutions, and products possible. He uses scientific and artistic methods, where emerging technologies are used study creativity in new ways; and from which he develops techniques that enhance creativity. The ultimate goal of his research is to understand creativity better so that we can help people to get the most out of their own capabilities. Alwin is assistant professor at the Department of Communication and Cognition, Tilburg University, and teaches at their New Media Design program. He received a PhD in Creativity Science from City, University of London, an MSc in Media Technology from Leiden University, and a BFA in autonomous art from the ArtScience interfaculty of the Royal Academy of Art and the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague.

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