Design and evaluation of organic user interfaces

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The overall goal of this project is the development of new Organic User Interface technologies (OUI) for computer displays of any shape or form. Electrophoretic Ink (E-Ink) and Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technologies are starting to deliver displays that are so thin and flexible, they are referred to as digital paper. This will allow for displays that curve or flex around the surface of any material: textile, plastic, cardboard, or paper-like, and any form, creating an entirely new line of non-flat computing devices like digital paper and other products. Given this context, current generations of user interfaces, based on the Graphic User Interface (GUI), suffer from three problems that this proposal aims to address. Firstly, all input and output was designed to operate on a flat surface and is unsuitable for curved or flexible screens. Major advances on interaction techniques are required to allow users of curved or flexible systems to apply multi-handed, multi-finger gestures for shape deformation input. Secondly, no displays exist that are capable of delivering real and touchable 3D imagery. Thirdly, little is known about the psychology of interacting with non-flat display interfaces. These three problems are addressed through five projects: input algorithms, interaction techniques, hardware and applications, molecular displays and empirical studies. Our first project aims to develop input techniques for non-flat displays. Our second project aims to develop interaction techniques for rigid and flexible displays of arbitrary forms. The third project aims to develop hardware and applications for non-flat computer technologies. Our fourth project aims to begin development of actuated surfaces capable of displaying 3D images using molecular robotics. Our final project is to validate the usability all of the above interaction techniques. We believe the application of the knowledge acquired through this international and interdisciplinary research effort will be critical to commoditization, effectiveness and sustainability of our key technology: the computer. A significant contribution of this research program will be the training of personnel in user interface design and evaluation, where there is high demand for highly-qualified professionals.