Wearable devices for workplace collaboration and awareness

多年来，研究人员调查了许多不同类型的系统，以支持工作场所的协作和远程感知。这包括使用始终在线视频的媒体空间、即时消息系统、群件日历系统和虚拟世界等。然而，考虑到研究台式计算机的时间段和技术的可获得性，所有这些都集中在台式计算机上。如今，我们看到一种以智能手表等可穿戴设备的形式出现的新型技术。它们通常支持与智能手机、平板电脑或电脑类似的应用程序，但它们也带来了新的交互风格，例如支持“一瞥”显示。因此，人们不必从口袋里掏出一个设备或触摸一个设备来获取信息，而是只需瞥一眼自己的手腕，就可以 例如，获取信息。与其他人的互动也同样“近在眼前”。目前尚不清楚的是，人们将如何利用这种类型的技术和互动，这种设备上的哪些信息将最有价值，以及最终用户将如何访问这些信息。该研究项目的目标是探索智能手表等可穿戴设备的用户界面和软件的设计和开发。我们将研究和设计可穿戴设备应用程序和相关硬件，以了解工作场所协作者能够以哪些方式使用现有应用程序来支持工作场所交互和感知，以及它们在哪里受到限制？在可穿戴设备上准备哪些工作场所感知信息最有用？以及，工作场所协作者应该如何与为可穿戴设备设计的感知系统进行交互？

Over the years, researchers have investigated a number of different types of systems to support workplace collaboration and awareness over distance. This has included media spaces that use always-on video, instant messaging systems, groupware calendaring systems, and virtual worlds, amongst others. Yet all were focused on desktop computers given the time period in which they were studied and the availability of technology. In present day, we see a new type of technology emerging in the form of wearable devices such as smart watches. These typically support similar applications as smartphones, tablets, or computers, however, they bring with them new styles of interaction such as support for a 'glanceable' display. Thus, rather than having to pull out a device from one's pocket or touch a device to gain information, a person could glance at their wrist, for example, to acquire information. Interaction with others is similarly 'ready at hand.' What is unknown at this time is how people will make use of this type of technology and interaction, what information will be most valuable on such devices, and how end users will want to gain access to this information. The goal of this research project is to explore the design and development of user interfaces and software for wearable devices, such as smart watches. We will study and design wearable device applications and the associated hardware to learn in what ways are workplace collaborators able to use existing applications to support workplace interactions and awareness and where are they limited?; what workplace awareness information is most useful to have 'ready at hand' on a wearable device?; and, how should workplace collaborators interact with an awareness system designed for a wearable device?