05-499: Special Topics in HCII
05899M "From Smart House to Smart Home:: For many years researchers have been working to operationalize the idea of a smart home. Researchers have made advances to the technical infrastructure including work on context sensing, sensors, and networking. Researchers have also explored issues around user input, designing many different methods of end-user programming for the home. Anthropologists have conducted many studies exploring how people communicate, coordinate their activities, and actively develop and maintain social connections, detailing design implications to inform the products and services people want. Finally, researchers have developed and evaluated a broad range of applications for the smart home that attempt to improve the quality of people's lives. In this class, students will read and discuss different perspectives on what a smart home is, can be, and should be from a variety of perspectives including behavioral science, design, and technology. In addition, students will apply what they have learned by designing and developing an application that transforms a house into a smart home. This course does not require students to have any specific technical background or skills. It is intended for but in no way limited to students with backgrounds in product/interaction design, architecture, anthropology, behavioral science, computer science, or engineering. We are looking for students with a strong interest in ubiquitous computing and a strong desire to explore how technology can improve people's lives and help to make a home.
| A | TR | 10:30 am - 11:50 am | NSH 3002 | Aleven, Baker |
| B | MW | 01:30 pm - 04:20 pm | TBA | Miller |