http://wearcomp.org/wearshop.htm
CHI WORKSHOP ON RESEARCH ISSUES IN WEARABLE COMPUTERS
March 23,24, 1997
Atlanta Ga
Organized by: Len Bass, Steve Mann,
Dan Siewiorek and Chris Thompson
Wearable computers are becoming more common. A recent workshop on wearable
computing in Seattle attracted more than 200 attendees. For the most part,
however, wearable computers are being treated as small computers with attempts
to provide the same range of input and output devices as on a desktop and to
utilize the same applications. We believe, however, that wearable computing is
a new paradigm introducing new issues. It is not just mobile desktop
computing. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss this position and to
identify those research issues that are specific to wearable computers. The
goal of the workshop is to produce a white paper identifying research issues
in wearable computing and we expect this white paper to be seminal in the
oncoming era of wearable computing.
By a wearable computer, we mean a computer that It is a computer that allows
the wearer mobility and the freedom to perform other activities while
operating it. Examples are computers that a mechanic might wear to have
manuals available while performing repairs, computers that a surgeon might
wear to provide images while performing an operation or a computer that an
individual might wear to save and retrieve data while interacting with other
people.
We expect our discussions to include topics such as:
-
what applications are appropriate for wearable computers
-
what input modalities are appropriate for these applications
-
what output devices are necessary to support these applications
-
what are the software requirements for these applications both
at the operating system level and at the
application software level
-
what are the social ramifications of wearing a computer
-
how is collaboration facilitated or inhibited when one of the
participants is wearing a computer
Participation in the workshop will be based on the submission of a three page
position paper articulating your views on one of the above issues or on some
other relevant issue and will be limited to 30 attendees. If you are currently
involved in wearable computing research and are interested in participating in
this workshop, send a three page position paper electronically to Len Bass at
ljb@sei.cmu.edu by January 15, 1997. Submitters will be notified of their
acceptance by Febuary 15.