CRII: CHS: Investigation of Computer-Mediated Compression as a New Paradigm for Remote Interaction

这项研究的重点是通过先进技术的新应用，扩大我们对远程人际互动的理解和能力，以便通过计算机媒介设备丰富残疾人的生活。也就是说，将探索和评估计算机介导的压缩的功能和功效，这是一种人与人和人机交互的新范式。压缩服装技术的最新进展已经生产出能够与远程用户无线连接的动态、低质量、高度移动、可控的压缩服装。这项技术有可能在彼此分离但寻求物理交互的用户之间实现新的交互模式。项目成果将包括：计算机介导的压缩的用户体验的经验知识；压缩作为一种远程交互模式的有效性评估；洞察可穿戴技术和远程控制压缩系统在实际应用中的有用性；以及多种功能和远程控制服装原型的创建，从而推动了软机器人技术、可穿戴驱动系统和功能服装的发展。这项工作有可能极大地改善使用压缩作为一种治疗形式的个人的生活（例如，那些患有感觉处理障碍或SPD的人）。此外，该项目将在明尼苏达大学的可穿戴技术实验室进行，该实验室主要由服装设计专业的女生组成；因此，该项目将提高这些学生的跨学科STEM技能，同时也将作为UMN可穿戴技术研究生课程的基础。本研究将集中在两个研究主题上：压缩作为一种新的触觉方式或界面，压缩作为一种远程说服或物理影响用户的机制（以积极的方式）。该研究将分三个阶段进行：技术开发，以生产无线可控压缩服装（例如，臂带和/或背心），使用基于当前技术水平的活性材料；结合生物信号监测、访谈和问卷调查的用户测试，以评估远程管理压缩的物理和主观体验；以及基于测量系统性能的应用驱动案例研究，例如检查计算机介导的压缩作为SPD患者的行为干预或作为增强远程康复或压缩治疗的医疗工具。

The focus of this research is on expanding our understanding of, and our ability to enable, remote human-human interaction through novel application of advanced technology, in order to enrich the lives of those with disabilities through computer-mediated devices. Namely, the functionality and efficacy of computer-mediated compression, a new paradigm of human-human and human-computer interaction, will be explored and evaluated. Recent advances in compression garment technology have produced dynamic, low-mass, highly mobile, controllable compression garments capable of interfacing wirelessly with remote users. This technology has the potential to enable new modes of interaction between users separated from one another but who seek to physically interact. Project outcomes will include: empirical knowledge of the user experience of computer-mediated compression; an assessment of the efficacy of compression as a mode of remote interaction; insights into the usefulness of wearable technology and remote-controlled compression systems in real-world applications; and the creation of multiple functional and remotely controllable garment prototypes, thereby advancing the state of the art in soft-robotics, wearable actuated systems, and functional clothing. The work has the potential to greatly improve the lives of individuals who use compression as a form of treatment (e.g., those with Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD). Additionally, the project will be conducted in the Wearable Technology Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, which is primarily comprised of female Apparel Design students; thus, the project will promote interdisciplinary STEM skills in these students while also serving as the basis of a new UMN graduate course on wearable technology.This investigation will focus on two research topics: compression as a novel haptic modality or interface, and compression as a mechanism to remotely persuade or physically affect the user (in a positive manner). The study will proceed in three phases: technology development to produce wirelessly controllable compression garments (e.g., arm band and/or vest) using active materials based on the current state of the art; user testing incorporating bio-signal monitoring, interviews and questionnaires to assess the physical and subjective experience of remotely administered compression; and an application-driven case study based on measured system performance, such as examining computer-mediated compression as a behavioral intervention for individuals with SPD or as a medical tool for enhanced tele-rehabilitation or compression-based treatment.