Mixed reality for cognitive acceleration

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Sensor-based tangibles and smart displays that augment the real world are part of emerging paradigms in human computer interaction called tangible computing and augmented or mixed reality. Sensors, whether for measurement or monitoring, represent a multi-billion dollar industry. My research explores the development of tangibles and mixed reality environments that support the underlying processes of children's cognitive development. My research program builds on my recent work* adapting methods from human computer interaction to children and investigating how cognitive and embodied processes can be used to design highly interactive environments. By embedding sensors in everyday objects, tracking the movement of these objects, and using them as controls for the smart display of images and sounds that help to explain real world phenomena, we are able to create situations where children can successfully make the transition through the stages of cognitive development. This type of early stage research, which grounds the development of new technologies in understandings of perceptual, cognitive and embodied processes, is a critical precursor to the intelligent and human centred development of sensor-based technologies - technologies which will soon be commonplace in millions of people's everyday lives. I am involved in a range of mixed reality projects through collaboration with researchers at the School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SFU), the University of British Columbia, Eindhoven Technical University, BCIT, Banff Centre for the Arts, Telus, Nokia, Nortel Networks and Science World. * Funded by a NSERC PGS B and Heritage Canada's New Media Research Network Funds.