Aware surfaces : large-scale, surface-based sensing for new modes of data collection, analysis, and human interaction

This thesis describes the design and construction of pressure sensing matrices for capturing human location and activity data from large surfaces in a space such as the floors, walls, tabletops, countertops, and furniture. With the ability to operate either alone or connected to others in an assembly, each sensor module is 0.3m x 2m, contains 512 force sensitive resistors, and has a refresh rate of about 8Hz. Each module was made with conductive inkjet printing and PCB fabrication, creating a low-profile sensing surface with robust signal-collecting circuitry. Several experiments were conducted on an assemblage of three modules to assess parameters such as response time, sensitivity, measurement repeatability, spatial and pressure resolution, and accuracy in analyzing walking data as compared to a camera. Applications that could employ such a system are explored and two visualizations were prototyped that could ambiently provide data and trends to a user.

Department dc:contributor.department

Program in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Goodman, Daniel Hayim

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kent Larson.

• Architecture. Program in Media Arts and Sciences.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98643

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/98643