[ISEA2019] Paper: Honghao Deng, Jiabao Li, Allen Sayegh — Twinkle: A Flying Lighting Companion for Urban Safety

Abstract

Keywords: Affective computing, UAV, Urban Lighting, Autonomous Aircraft, Interactive, Play

Today’s urban lighting system still lacks coverage for many walkways, inducing feelings of insecurity and promoting the probability of crime. Ubiquitous surveillance is an intrusion on privacy and does not allow real-time action. The cold, lifeless light shines in the dark, trapping people in the solitude of silence. These absences motivated us to create Twinkle—a luminous transformative creature which inhabits on light posts. They are curious, aerial animals attracted by human activity. During the day, they rest on urban light posts, expanding their solar panels for charging. At night, they react to pedestrians on the street based on various distinct personalities. Twinkle is an indirect solution to urban security without the need for surveillance. We envision a future where technology goes beyond its form and becomes a companion to us.

  • Honghao Deng is a computational designer and artist. He holds a Master of Design Studies with distinction at Harvard GSD (Graduate School of Design), USA, and has served as a research fellow in the City Science Group at MIT Media Lab. Recognition gained in the design and interaction community include: Golden A’ Design Award, iF Design Award, Fast Company World Changing Ideas Award, 1st Place Future Cities Contest, Ubicomp/ISWC Design Award. His work has been covered by Domus, CCTV, ArchDaily, Designboom, Milan Design Week, The National, and Metropolis Magazine.
  • Jiabao Li works at the intersection of emerging technology, art and design. Her work opens questions about technology’s influence on human perception, identity, and emotion. Her researchbased projects range from wearables, projections, drones, installations to scientific experiments. She holds a Master of Design in Technology degree with Distinction from Harvard GSD. Jiabao’s work has been featured in Domus, TechCrunch, Yahoo, CCTV, Yanko Design, and The National. Her work has been shown in Milan Design Week, Dubai Design Week, SIGGRAPH, CHI, AR in Action, and PRIMER. She is the winner of iF Design Award, Fast Company World Changing Ideas Award, Future Cities Contest, ISWC Design Award, and Harvard Best Thesis Award.
  • Allen Sayegh, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Cambridge, MA, USA

Full text (PDF) p. 220-224