Press Release: 24 November 2005
Future gazing at ict forum wales 2005
On 24 November 2005, ITWales turned the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea into a museum of the future with research exhibits from Swansea, Bristol and Glasgow universities.
Professor Harold Thimbleby of Computer Science in Swansea University set the scene with a thought provoking presentation stating that innovation often fails because ideas can take centuries to spread. Coining the term "pigeon thinking", Thimbleby stressed the need to change the value system in order for innovation to succeed in the future.
Dr Rod Murray-Smith of Glasgow University gave delegates an insight his research into sensitive computers and asked them to consider, "How does a computer know what a user wants?" His demonstrations included mobile phones that worked on gesture recognition, sensing acceleration, rotation and velocity, magnetic fields and GPS; and an MP3 player that plays music with a BPM to match the speed of movement.
Wearable computers were demonstrated by Cliff Randell, a Research Fellow from Bristol University. With technology built into clothing, movement was identified by ultrasound sensors, and Randell explained that once it was possible to measure position, users could interact directly with the technology; this was expertly demonstrated by encouraging delegates to play a racing game controlled by head movements.
Dr Matt Jones of Swansea University asked delegates to consider how they would get from A to B while listening to music, but without a map to guide them. Suggestions from the audience including directional voice over, and using different sounds to direct the user; a quick trial of these ideas demonstrated that neither was suitable. Jones explained to delegates his research in spatial audio and GPS, and demonstrated that by simply panning music from left to right headphone, the user could find their way from A to B whilst listening to their music uninterrupted.
Far from "pigeon thinking", Professor Harold Thimbleby, and his son PhD student Will Thimbleby, have removed the buttons from their innovative calculator. Describing the technology as working like "magic paper", the Thimbleby’s have created a product that recognises handwriting to produce correct maths. Their research has shown them that conventional calculators often get maths wrong try 4 x -5 on a few calculators for some interesting results. As well as damaging the experience of children learning maths for the first time, these errors can have fatal results when used to calculate drug intake for intensive care patients. With delegates and children in the museum queuing up to try the Thimbleby calculator, and having fun using it, the Thimbleby’s have created a dual solution that can both save lives and make maths fun for the young.
The event was supported by Careers Wales, the National Waterfront Museum and BBC Wales.
ict forum wales 2005 is organised by ITWales in collaboration with Swansea University and the University of Wales Bangor. The programme is supported by the Welsh Development Agency and part financed by the European Social Fund.
For further information and interviews please contact Sali Earls, ict forum wales press office, tel: 01792 513382, or email: info@itwales.com.
Useful Links:
ITWales - www.itwales.com
Welsh Development Agency - www.wda.co.uk
Swansea University, Computer Science - www.swan.ac.uk/compsci/index.html
Dr Rod Murray-Smith, Glasgow University - www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/rod/
Cliff Randell, Bristol University - www.cs.bris.ac.uk/cliff/
Dr Matt Jones, Swansea University - www.cs.swan.ac.uk/csmatt/
Professor Harold Thimbleby, Swansea University - www.cs.swan.ac.uk/csharold/
Careers Wales - www.careerswales.com
National Waterfront Museum - www.museumwales.ac.uk/nwms/dynamic/home_eng.php
BBC Wales - www.bbc.co.uk/wales
