Project 4: Part 1

Biegert and Funk’s Qlocktwo : http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/09/qlocktwo_clock_tells_time_with_word.html

Biegert and Funk’s Qlocktwo challenges the current status quo of dialog and analog clocks by instead creating a clock that uses words instead of numbers or ticks. It tells time by illuminating the right words instead of the right numbers. This brings to question what to most efficient way to tell time is. Is it more intuitive to tell time by numbers or by words?

Samsung Transparent Screened Laptop Protoype

The Samsung Transparent Screened Laptop is the beginning of a new direction many technological devices are turning – the use of a transparent screen. However, the beginning of this idea brings to question if people are comfortable with the use of this type of screen? How private do people consider their computers to be? Is having the latest technology worth the potential loss of privacy?

Honda U3-X Power Chair

The Honda Power Chair is much like the idea the Segway had but brings in to a much more transportable and less awkward. The Power Chair makes one wonder if the designers ever watched Wall-E. The introduction of the Power Chair could be the beginning of a new realm for interaction if it is successfully adopted into societal norms. This technology brings to question whether technology is for the better of mankind or not? It is hard to say which way the Power Chair will lean until later.

Aleksandr Mukomelov’s Magic Stone Telephone http://www.yankodesign.com/2009/07/10/the-magic-stone-phone/

It comes in any shape you want and works by projecting onto surfaces and walls. This product is another one that brings to question the issue of privacy. If the phone projects onto walls, it is obvious that other people would be able to view whatever it is that you are looking at. Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks? Also the fact that the owner can decide whatever shape they want destroys the standard of shapes for cell phones.

Moma Yuko Tokuda’s Outline Vase

The last item is not technological but I believe it brings an interesting question. Which is more important: the item or the negative space it creates? The outline vase takes the negative space around the vase in order to create a visual treat. Also, the question of the standard of shapes comes to mind. The outline vase is still seen as a vase even though it is clearly not a standard vase. How could technology use this beneficially?

Assumptions:

1) People consider their technological devices as highly personal and private.

a. What can cause people to move away from this idea?

b. Are there many non-personal devices?

c. What makes them so private?

2) Technology is always bad.

a. What about technology is bad?

b. What are some of the reasons why we are scared of technology?

c. What bad has technology done to you?

3) Technology is always good.

a. What about technology is good?

b. What good has technology done for you?

4) Change is bad and unwelcomed.

a. Why are people so scared of change?

b. Is there a way to force people out of their comfort zones?

5) Technology is always complicated.

a. Can you think of any examples of simple technology?

6) Technology makes life easier.

a. How has technology made your life easier?

b. How has technology made your life harder?

Brainstorm: Technology makes life easier.

1) A car that drives itself to a pre-determined location.

2) A fridge that knows its contents and orders new groceries when it runs low.

3) A device that senses your mood and changes music accordingly on your stereo or ipod (similar to a soundtrack of your life)

4) An oven/stove that is able to cook whatever the user has chosen and if the products are available in the fridge.

5) An automatic toilet bowl scrubber.

6) A device that dresses you, brushes your teeth, and gets you ready in the morning so that the user can plan out his or her day.

7) A device that when placed over the face will apply makeup.

8) A device that when placed over the head will wash, dry, and do the user’s hair.

9) A device that senses when your dog has to use the bathroom and alerts a robot which will walk your dog.

10) A camera attached to a robot that senses Kodak moments and takes pictures for the user so that the user does not miss out on golden memories.

11) A device which keeps track of the people you text and chat with and converses with them when you do not have time to.

12) A device which sends your romantic partner flowers, chocolates, etc., comes up with romance gestures, purchases gifts, and reminds you of important dates. Maybe in watch form?

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