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This paper presents a new direction of research in user experiences and cognitive science. The problem addressed is drawing on results from different disciplines: psychology, brain and cognitive sciences, physics, and interaction design. As main objective we plan the empirical validation of the claim: Cultural computing as enabling technology for social transformations. Cultural computing is based on a form of cultural translation that uses scientific methods to capture and represent essential aspects of a particular culture. Cultural computing will enable particular cognitive and emotional responses from users as reflections on and of their inner, subliminal consciousness. Cultural computing is not only integrating cultural aspects into the interaction but also allowing the user to experience an interaction that is closely related to the core aspects of his/her own culture. As such it is important to understand one’s cultural determinants and how to render them during the interaction. We will address individually and collectively the cultural determinants of the Western culture. Based on the given narrative ‘Alice Adventures in Wonderland’ we have already built the first demo version and plan to build an optimized version of a mixed reality installation to provide and investigate cultural user experiences. To address the research questions we propose three main research lines: (1) designing a mixed reality environment to provide certain unconscious user experiences; (2) inducing and measuring the changes in the individual’s unconscious knowledge structure; and (3) empirical validation of a fundamentally new synchronization mechanism for sharing individual changes collectively. We hypothesize that there eventually exists an interconnecting knowledge field at the foundation of reality that conserves and conveys information collectively. This knowledge field looks like a possible candidate for a required ‘supra-natural’ memory for cultural knowledge to tap into for social transformations.

With competency based learning in a project driven environment, we are facing a different perspective of how students perceive mathematical modelling. In this chapter, a model is proposed where conventional education is seen as a process from mathematics to design, while competency driven approaches tend to have an inverted sequence. We assume there is a virtual barrier for on-demand learning with regards to the mathematical modelling layer under the layer of technical skills. Several successful attempts were done in the past to remove the technology skill from the chain in order to make the opportunities of modelling visible. After experiencing the modelling competency in such a setting, students can beneficially deploy it for technology. We evaluated this model based on a learning activity which was changed from traditional education into competency centred learning.

Several empirical studies confirm the importance of time-awareness in learning disabilities. Designed tools and environments to interact with time are essential for the training and diagnosis of an impaired notion of time. Training which improves sense of time may improve learning, daily functioning and quality of life. This paper reviews perceptual and computational time models in literature and present briefly our first attempts in applying the knowledge in the design of playful tools for children to orient their time.

Electronic systems with sensors and actuators are enablers for increasing the protection level of textile appliances. Apparel and many other textiles are close to the human body and are part of numerous professional and home routines and tasks. This means that textiles are positioned in our daily life in locations where they can act extremely well for protective purposes by means of monitoring and being responsive. Intelligence created by electronics starts with sensors and actuators integrated into the textile to make it responsive. In addition, a power system, interconnect and processing logic are needed. Some characteristic problems encountered with sensing human parameters can be solved by smart topologies and sensor arrangements.

Producten communiceren met ons. Hier hoef je geen zesde zintuig voor te hebben en het is ook niets zweverigs. De vorm van een antwerp nodigt ons uit om het op een bepaalde manier te gebruiken, simpelweg door hoe het eruit ziet en door hoe het gerepresenteerd wordt. Dit wetende kunnen we op een nieuwe manier naar productontwerp kijken: kunnen we producten zo ontwerpen dat ze uitnodigen tot beoogd gedrag? Dit dossier bevat drie artikelen met voorbeelden waarin we gedragsverandering tot stand brengen door ontwerpen te Iaten communiceren.

In a mixed reality installation, a variety of technologies is integrated such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and animated virtual agents and robotic agents. One of the main challenges is how to design and implement a mixed reality installation that integrates a heterogeneous array of sensors and actuators, immersive interactive environments into aware system that will engage the user, providing a meaningful experience. In this paper we address the problems of building a CAVE environment in mixed reality installations, and share our experience in using a game engine as the driver for the CAVE, and in interfacing the game engine with sensors, actuators and input devices.

A new interface for using an ISFET (Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistor) was developed and realized. The advantages of the new design are the small size of the printed circuit board and the low power consumption. This resulted in an electronic circuit small enough to fit in a 25 pins sub-D connector without external power supply. As the circuit is connected to the serial port of the PC, easy interfacing is guaranteed. Furthermore, no hardware calibration is necessary, all calibration can be done by software.