Research Project

Memory Portal

Investigating intelligence through spatio-temporal experiences

Research Topic

Human-centered computing • Interaction design • Interaction design process and methods • User-centered design

Team

Zhenfang Chen, Aaina Arun

Abstract

Shared public spaces are being equipped with the Internet of Things (IoT). The data that they collect remain intangible unless they are intentionally physicalized. How do occupants of shared spaces make meaning of these collected data? How could a shared space remember its occupants? We developed Portal, an interactive mirror that reflects the shadows and sounds of past occupants of a shared physical space in the present. We conducted two preliminary studies to investigate how the occupants of a shared space make meaning of their data as visualized memories. We hypothesize that through these collected memories, the occupants of the shared space build a deeper understanding of how they and others experience the space. Our contributions include: (a) introducing new modes of data engagement in a shared physical space through materializing memories of the space of its occupants. (b) leveraging data as a mediator between users of space over time.