Reimagining everyday devices as information-delivery systems | Chris Harrison

TL;DR

Light bulbs are now being transformed into computational appliances, capable of rendering information and interactivity onto surfaces and augmenting our physical environment.

Transcript

so I want to start my presentation with the humble light bulb so the first commercially available electric light bulbs came off the production line at the edison electric light company in 1880 and commercial light bulbs as we know them were you know pretty good at the time they were slightly brighter than existing technologies mostly candles and la... Read More

Key Insights

• 💡 Light bulbs have remained remarkably consistent in their function over the years, despite technological advancements.
• 💡 Computational light bulbs, or "info bulbs," have the ability to sense and interact with their surroundings, providing enhanced productivity and convenience.
• 💁 By embedding computation into everyday objects, we can transform them into computing platforms, creating a future where information and interactivity seamlessly blend into our environment.
• 😥 The success of smartphones lies in the availability of apps, and a similar concept can be applied to everyday surfaces with computational capabilities.
• 💡 Researchers have already developed prototypes of computational light bulbs, effectively turning surfaces into interactive computing platforms.
• 💡 The integration of technology into light bulbs is a step towards creating a future where computing becomes an integral part of our daily lives, just like lighting.
• 💁 The goal is to make computing a utility that is seamlessly embedded into our environment, with information and interactivity readily available on demand.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the function of light bulbs remained consistent over the years?

Despite technological advancements, the basic function of a light bulb, providing instant lighting, has remained unchanged since its inception.

Q: What is the concept of an "info bulb"?

An info bulb is a light bulb that not only provides light but can also render information and interactivity onto a surface, such as a desk or kitchen counter.

Q: How can an info bulb enhance productivity in an office setting?

An info bulb can sense and read everything on a desk, including documents, and provide features like Google search, Wikipedia articles linked to documents, and digitizing handwriting.

Q: What is the goal of embedding computation into the physical world?

The aim is to project and augment physical materials with computational capabilities, turning everyday objects like walls or kitchen countertops into computing platforms.

Q: What makes smartphones indispensable?

The availability of apps on smartphones makes them indispensable, and the goal is to have a similar app market for everyday surfaces like kitchen counters or office desks.

Q: How can light bulbs be transformed into computational appliances?

By integrating off-the-shelf digital projectors and depth cameras with light bulbs, they can project interactive interfaces onto surfaces and act as self-contained computing units.

Q: What are some applications of these computational light bulbs?

Applications include setting an away message for an office, snapping virtual interfaces to physical objects, launching applications on tables, and resizing windows like a desktop computer.

Q: How will computing be integrated into our environment in the future?

Computing will become a utility embedded into our environment, with information and interactivity readily available on demand, just like lighting is today.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Commercial electric light bulbs were first introduced in 1880 and revolutionized society with instant on-demand lighting.

• While the technology has changed over the years, the function of a light bulb has remained the same.

• Researchers at CMU are working on infusing light bulbs with computational abilities, allowing them to sense and interact with their surroundings.