Research team
Expertise
The research in Interaction Design and Smart Products, powered by an expertise in facilitating a Sandbox Culture and "technology brokering", represents a holistic approach to understanding and improving the interactions between humans and technology. This research focuses on both the physical and digital aspects of future products as they are perceived by users. Central to this approach is the development of new prototyping methods and interfaces in Product Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). The emphasis is on creating engaging user experiences, particularly for smart products within a circular economy, where sustainability and adaptability are key. The Sandbox Culture within this research area strongly connects with the startup culture and Lean Innovation principles. This culture promotes an environment of experimentation and rapid iteration, characteristic of startups and lean innovation processes. The idea of 'fail fast, learn fast', prevalent in startups, is also embraced in the Sandbox Culture. This metaphorical sandbox allows for risk-free exploration, encouraging innovation and creative thinking. In this approach, technology brokering plays a significant role, identifying problems and seeking creative technological solutions. This aligns with the Lean Startup methodology, where minimum viable products (MVPs) are developed to quickly learn from user feedback and make iterative improvements. The research focuses on early stakeholder involvement to ensure product innovation meets real-world needs and expectations. Information interface design is another key area, focusing on making information accessible and understandable to users. Furthermore, the design of open modular systems for smart products in a circular economy is explored, aiming at enhancing product flexibility, customization, and sustainability. This comprehensive research approach aims to not only advance the field of interaction design and smart product development but also to foster an environment of continuous learning and innovation.