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Thesis Info
- LABS ID
- 00750
- Thesis Title
- Responsive and Emotive Wearable Technology: physiological data, devices and communication
- Author
- Rain Ashford
- E-mail
- r.ashford AT gold.ac.uk
- 2nd Author
- 3rd Author
- Degree
- PhD
- Year
- 2018
- Number of Pages
- 336
- University
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- Thesis Supervisor
- Janis Jefferies
- Supervisor e-mail
- J.Jefferies AT gold.ac.uk
- Other Supervisor(s)
- Bill Gaver
- Language(s) of Thesis
- English
- Department / Discipline
- Computing
- Copyright Ownership
- Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives
- Languages Familiar to Author
- URL where full thesis can be found
- research.gold.ac.uk/24005/
- Keywords
- sensors, responsive, emotive, wearable, technology, nonverbal, communication, data, prototype, aesthetics, emotions, physiological, HCI
- Abstract: 200-500 words
- My research practice and thesis investigates how wearable technology can be used to create new forms of nonverbal communication. Using devices developed through my practice,
I explore how physiological data can be drawn from the body, then visualised and broadcast.
I examine the opinions and requirements of potential users and observers of this
technology, through qualitative responses in interviews and surveys from focus groups
and field tests. I have analysed the resulting data to extract preferences and concerns,
plus the requirements for the functionality and aesthetics of these devices. I discuss the
social and cultural aspects of wearing such devices, as well as the issues, including how
privacy may be affected and the implications of recording personal data.
I examine my practice in the context of the work of the communities and practitioners in
the field, and introduce two new terms to label two sub-sections of wearable technology.
These are ‘responsive wearables’ and ‘emotive wearables’, and they form part of the
distinctive contribution that I make. Reflecting on the evolution of my practice has led to
other contributions regarding the development of wearable technology. Through this, I
identify and share the insights into the disciplines and processes required for the fusion of technology and design successfully to evolve electronics, code and materials into research prototypes.
I conclude by discussing findings from my practice, research and studies with potential
users of emotive wearables. I comment on the impact that physiologically sensing wearable
technology has on aspects of social interaction for the individual as well as for the
wider community. I open the discussion on future research by revealing two new examples
of emotive wearables — the AnemoneStarHeart and the ThinkerBelle EEG Amplifying
Dress — which have evolved from pinpointing specific areas of the focus group and field
test feedback that I undertook.