Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

Within the context of this research project we will produce new non-flat interactive form factors for computing devices. These include foldable multi-display thin-film colour E Ink paper computers, full-colour triangular display form factors that can be shaped to provide everyday products with display skins, and interactive robotic display elements that can show 3D images physically. While the primary objective of this project is to study and develop novel displays, inputs and interaction techniques for interactive 3D physical computers, a secondary goal is to develop new applications and products for these form factors. By studying how display technologies, input techniques and product shapes interact and by providing new input and display materials that will allow high resolution, multi-formed computer user interfaces to be embedded into any everyday product, we expect to revolutionize industrial design practices for entire categories of products. The ultimate objective of this research is to provide product designers with the materials, tools and techniques to create entirely new, leading-edge industries for Canadians, based on interactive, physical 3D graphic displays. This goal that fits well with an overarching goal of developing a digital economy based on these next generation computing interfaces. The nature of the organic display technologies is not only necessary to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of user interactions with computing devices, but also to improve the energy efficiency of our computing devices. Our research will train one postdoctoral fellow and six graduate students in software engineering, user interfaces, industrial design, graphics, electronics and ergonomics, satisfying the great demand in industry for graduates with advanced degrees in user interface design.