Experimental platform for developing interactive surface computers to support complex, time-critical teamwork

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Though computers proliferate in modern work environments, it is still commonplace for people to print off reports, charts, and other data to facilitate discussions and decision-making in face-to-face meetings. In time- or life-critical situations, such as crisis response and security and defence, decisions must often be made based on rapidly changing information. In these settings, decision-makers need direct access to current information and must be able to share this information with nearby colleagues. Recent developments in interactive, large-screen displays, such as Microsoft's interactive tabletop display, called Surface, now enable people to interact with and share up-to-date digital information, such as maps, documents, and sensor data, during collaborative activities. However, designing effective interfaces for these display systems is challenging due to their large size, shared input space, and, in the case of a tabletop system, horizontal display orientation. The requested equipment will be used to support a research program that addresses the lack of suitable interfaces and associated software applications for these systems. This research program will contribute improved software user interfaces for interactive, multi-user display systems. It will also improve our understanding of how interactive wall and tabletop systems can be effectively utilized in the context of complex, time-critical task domains, such as military command and control, and emergency response. Through this research, students will be trained in collaborative technology design and empirical research methods. These skills are critical for developing information technologies for highly collaborative work environments, such as defence, healthcare, education, and software and game development.