Humanising the Convergence of Information and Communication Technology. The convergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) enables delivery of multiple services by a single mobile device. Frequently ICT convergence is driven by the capabilities of the technology. However, if technologies are to be appropriated, that is enter into long-term use, they must be compatible with that use.
The University of Melbourne and Novell will establish a way of identifying opportunities f ....Humanising the Convergence of Information and Communication Technology. The convergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) enables delivery of multiple services by a single mobile device. Frequently ICT convergence is driven by the capabilities of the technology. However, if technologies are to be appropriated, that is enter into long-term use, they must be compatible with that use.
The University of Melbourne and Novell will establish a way of identifying opportunities for ICT convergence based on an understanding of appropriation. Our research project will examine the social and personal use of mobile ICTs by young people 16 to 22 years as the basis for understanding the human drivers of convergence.
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Using 3D printing to improve access to graphics by vision-impaired people. This project aims to investigate the possible benefits of 3D printing for production of accessible materials for vision-impaired people. Currently tactile graphics are used to provide severely vision-impaired adults and children with access to graphical content used in education and in orientation and mobility training. This project is expected to clarify the kinds of graphics for which 3D prints are better suited than ta ....Using 3D printing to improve access to graphics by vision-impaired people. This project aims to investigate the possible benefits of 3D printing for production of accessible materials for vision-impaired people. Currently tactile graphics are used to provide severely vision-impaired adults and children with access to graphical content used in education and in orientation and mobility training. This project is expected to clarify the kinds of graphics for which 3D prints are better suited than tactile graphics, and to build capacity within the national accessible format provision sector for the production and use of 3D prints. Benefits will include increased educational opportunities and quality of life for Australians with severe vision impairment, through improved access to graphic materials used in education and orientation and mobility training.
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Advancing Australia’s hospitality industry through interactive food. This project aims to develop the first framework for the design of interactive food to advance Australia’s hospitality industry. The project expects to co-develop with restaurateurs and chefs interactive sounds, smells and tastes technologies that enable them to create novel eating out experiences and evaluate diners’ reactions. The expected outcome is an easy-to-use toolkit (comprising a software suite and low-cost sensors) th ....Advancing Australia’s hospitality industry through interactive food. This project aims to develop the first framework for the design of interactive food to advance Australia’s hospitality industry. The project expects to co-develop with restaurateurs and chefs interactive sounds, smells and tastes technologies that enable them to create novel eating out experiences and evaluate diners’ reactions. The expected outcome is an easy-to-use toolkit (comprising a software suite and low-cost sensors) that can be readily incorporated into hospitality operations. This should provide significant benefits, such as enticing people to go out and visit restaurants, supporting some of Australia’s 600,000 hospitality jobs while fostering Australia’s innovative food culture.Read moreRead less
Towards Invisibly Intelligent Appliances via Experience-based Computing. As computers become more pervasive, people will inevitably interact with a wide range of networked appliances. This proposal aims to develop prototype enabling technology to allow appliances to operate cooperatively and seamlessly with minimum human input - 'invisible intelligence'. Experience-based computing is the key concept underlying the technology. A prototype 'operating experience' will be developed to sit on top of ....Towards Invisibly Intelligent Appliances via Experience-based Computing. As computers become more pervasive, people will inevitably interact with a wide range of networked appliances. This proposal aims to develop prototype enabling technology to allow appliances to operate cooperatively and seamlessly with minimum human input - 'invisible intelligence'. Experience-based computing is the key concept underlying the technology. A prototype 'operating experience' will be developed to sit on top of existing operating systems that will allow appliances to join and leave networks, and interact with other appliances. Also to be developed are a modeling framework, language and methodology for specifying appliance behaviour, and allow learning from experience.Read moreRead less
Assistive technologies for Autism support. Growing numbers of children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, leading to a massive financial burden on educational, medical and social service systems. This project aims to construct technological solutions to ease this cost with software frameworks for both children and parents. These novel tools and techniques address key issues: personalisation of early intervention, extension of interventions in alternate contexts, and parental support th ....Assistive technologies for Autism support. Growing numbers of children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, leading to a massive financial burden on educational, medical and social service systems. This project aims to construct technological solutions to ease this cost with software frameworks for both children and parents. These novel tools and techniques address key issues: personalisation of early intervention, extension of interventions in alternate contexts, and parental support through analysis of social media. The outcomes aim to include algorithms and prototype applications for flexible early intervention and support for parents and carers, including evaluation of the developed tools in real-world settings.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the Australian theme park experience by harnessing virtual-physical play. This project will deliver methodologies for designing games enriched by virtual-physical play. The project will contribute to furthering Australia's lead in the production of compelling theme park experiences, computer games and interactive training systems. The entertainment, digital media and information and communications technology industries will all benefit as a result.
Presenting graphics to blind students using a touchscreen interface extended with haptic and audio feedback. The project will develop a new device for the presentation of accessible graphics based on a touchscreen computer extended with haptic and audio feedback. The aim is to improve access to graphics and other two-dimensional information in the classroom by blind students.
Air Traffic Controller Competencies and Selection. This project targets a National Priority area Safeguarding Australia, Priority Goal: Critical Infrastructure. The partner organization Airservices Australia is a key player in the effective operation of the Australian aviation industry which is a critical and strategic component of the national transport infrastructure. Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) provide the nation with aviation services that require them to perform all tasks without error. ....Air Traffic Controller Competencies and Selection. This project targets a National Priority area Safeguarding Australia, Priority Goal: Critical Infrastructure. The partner organization Airservices Australia is a key player in the effective operation of the Australian aviation industry which is a critical and strategic component of the national transport infrastructure. Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) provide the nation with aviation services that require them to perform all tasks without error. The project will help develop the standards of excellence of Australian ATCs, contribute to internationalizing Australian human factors literature, develop the knowledge and skills of the Airservices staff and research team, and assist RAF and civil ATC collaboration.Read moreRead less
Enhancing patient management and clinical systems in hospital ward settings using mobile, wireless technologies. Wireless networks, hand held devices and associated applications are key emerging technologies. This project will investigate the implementation of wireless devices and applications for patient administration at Southern Health in two ward settings (neurology and neurosurgery) at Monash Medical Centre. A wireless infrastructure is being installed and clinical staff will be able to c ....Enhancing patient management and clinical systems in hospital ward settings using mobile, wireless technologies. Wireless networks, hand held devices and associated applications are key emerging technologies. This project will investigate the implementation of wireless devices and applications for patient administration at Southern Health in two ward settings (neurology and neurosurgery) at Monash Medical Centre. A wireless infrastructure is being installed and clinical staff will be able to conduct their rounds with notebook computers or PDAs at the patients' bedside. The research team will assess the acceptance of the new devices and applications by nursing and medical staff. Outcomes from the project will include a set of guidelines and techniques for introducing and managing technology-enhanced patient administration and clinical systems.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the content and experience of Interactive Childrens Television. Interactive television (iTV) as a participatory, on-demand communication provides a unique opportunity to significantly engage, entertain and educate preschool children. Through considerable industry partner collaboration and participation, this project will evaluate three distinct interactive options produced from selected children's television programs with proven success in Australia. Usability studies employing a vari ....Enhancing the content and experience of Interactive Childrens Television. Interactive television (iTV) as a participatory, on-demand communication provides a unique opportunity to significantly engage, entertain and educate preschool children. Through considerable industry partner collaboration and participation, this project will evaluate three distinct interactive options produced from selected children's television programs with proven success in Australia. Usability studies employing a variety of surveillance techniques will evaluate content design and user response. Children's viewing habits will be evaluated within a social context (the home) and a mobile lab setting using qualitative and quantitative assessment. The results will identify effective ways to produce meaningful interactivity and will encourage future industry based research.Read moreRead less