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，扩大我们对远程人与人之间互动的理解和能力，以便通过计算机中介设备丰富残疾人的生活。也就是说，将探索和评估计算机中介压缩的功能和有效性，这是一种新的人与人和人与计算机交互的范例。压缩服装技术的最新进展已经产生了能够与远程用户无线连接的动态、低质量、高度可移动、可控的压缩服装。这项技术有可能实现相互隔离但寻求物理交互的用户之间的新交互模式。项目成果将包括：对计算机辅助压缩的用户体验的经验性知识；对压缩作为远程交互模式的有效性的评估；对可穿戴技术和远程控制压缩系统在现实世界应用中的有用性的洞察；以及创建多种功能和可远程控制的服装原型，从而推动软机器人、可穿戴执行系统和功能性服装领域的最先进水平。这项工作有可能极大地改善将按压作为一种治疗形式的个人的生活(例如，那些患有感觉加工障碍或SPD的人)。此外，该项目将在明尼苏达大学可穿戴技术实验室进行，该实验室主要由女性服装设计专业的学生组成；因此，该项目将促进这些学生的跨学科STEM技能，同时也将作为新的UMN可穿戴技术研究生课程的基础。本次调查将集中在两个研究主题上：压缩作为一种新的触觉形式或界面，以及压缩作为远程说服或物理影响用户的机制(以积极的方式)。这项研究将分三个阶段进行：使用基于当前技术水平的活性材料生产无线可控压缩服装(例如，臂章和/或背心)的技术开发；结合生物信号监测、访谈和问卷的用户测试，以评估远程管理的压缩的身体和主观体验；以及基于测量的系统性能的应用驱动的案例研究，例如检查计算机中介的压缩作为对患有SPD的个人的行为干预，或作为增强远程康复或基于按压的治疗的医疗工具。

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.