This introduction to the special issue on events as platforms, networks, and communities reviews recent research on these subjects. It outlines the previous work of the ATLAS Events Group in developing a “network approach to events,” as well as conceptualizing the differences between event networks and platforms.
MULTIFILE
Designers are increasingly collaborating with various stakeholders to address complex societal challenges. These challenges often require a codesign approach, where differ-ent actors with diverse perspectives and experiences unite to explore innovative ave-nues for change. Such collaboration requires empathy between the actors to under-stand each other’s perspective better in their interactions. This paper aims to assist so-cial designers in orchestrating such empathic codesign processes by introducing an Em-pathic Journey framework. This conceptual and practical framework is based on em-pathic design theory and three design cases which used Virtual Reality for perspective exchange between actors. The framework addresses the importance of integrating an emotional spark through immersion and the necessity of embedding immersive experiences in a larger journey.
MULTIFILE
This paper describes a project to explore the possibilities of virtual worlds in educating Green IT. In the project a virtual world has been created with various assignments which are meant to create awareness on sustainability aspects of IT. The world (and the assignments) will be incorporated in a course for first-year IT students. In order to measure the effects of the course, a questionnaire has been developed which can be used before and after the course to measure the attitude towards green IT.
In the last decade, the automotive industry has seen significant advancements in technology (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles) that presents the opportunity to improve traffic safety, efficiency, and comfort. However, the lack of drivers’ knowledge (such as risks, benefits, capabilities, limitations, and components) and confusion (i.e., multiple systems that have similar but not identical functions with different names) concerning the vehicle technology still prevails and thus, limiting the safety potential. The usual sources (such as the owner’s manual, instructions from a sales representative, online forums, and post-purchase training) do not provide adequate and sustainable knowledge to drivers concerning ADAS. Additionally, existing driving training and examinations focus mainly on unassisted driving and are practically unchanged for 30 years. Therefore, where and how drivers should obtain the necessary skills and knowledge for safely and effectively using ADAS? The proposed KIEM project AMIGO aims to create a training framework for learner drivers by combining classroom, online/virtual, and on-the-road training modules for imparting adequate knowledge and skills (such as risk assessment, handling in safety-critical and take-over transitions, and self-evaluation). AMIGO will also develop an assessment procedure to evaluate the impact of ADAS training on drivers’ skills and knowledge by defining key performance indicators (KPIs) using in-vehicle data, eye-tracking data, and subjective measures. For practical reasons, AMIGO will focus on either lane-keeping assistance (LKA) or adaptive cruise control (ACC) for framework development and testing, depending on the system availability. The insights obtained from this project will serve as a foundation for a subsequent research project, which will expand the AMIGO framework to other ADAS systems (e.g., mandatory ADAS systems in new cars from 2020 onwards) and specific driver target groups, such as the elderly and novice.
Dit project heeft tot doel in kaart te brengen hoe virtuele en fysieke sociale interacties in de vrije tijd zich tot elkaar verhouden. Wat is de impact van virtualisering van de vrijetijd op lokale praktijken? Vrijetijdspraktijken worden traditioneel gezien als gelegenheden bij uitstek om op een laagdrempelige manier in contact te komen met anderen en worden aangewend om sociale cohesie te bewerkstelligen (bijvoorbeeld via urban gardens). Het internet heeft echter voor nieuwe vormen van vrijetijdsbesteding en daarmee gepaard gaande sociale interactie gezorgd. Het is mogelijk om -bijvoorbeeld in het kader van een hobby zoals gamen- contact te leggen met gelijkgestemden aan de andere kant van de wereld. Dit roept de vraag op naar de invloed van digitale media en individualisering van de vrije tijd op de omvang en aard van sociale netwerken die aan de basis staan van sociale cohesie en sociaal kapitaal. Mogelijk versterken virtuele praktijken lokale sociale netwerken. Aan de andere kant kunnen mensen met een beperkte toegang tot de virtuele wereld buitengesloten raken. Onderzoek is nodig om te begrijpen hoe virtuele en fysieke sociale contacten op elkaar inwerken. In afstemming met bewoners en lokale organisaties beoogt dit project vervolgens een antwoord te geven op de vraag hoe de interactie tussen virtuele en fysieke praktijken succesvol kan bijdragen aan de kwaliteit van de sociale leefomgeving. Het onderzoek zal een mixed methods benadering toepassen om inzicht te verkrijgen in de (micro)dynamiek van de interactie tussen virtuele en fysieke vrijetijdspraktijken Vervolgens zullen de resultaten van het onderzoek benut worden om met bewoners en lokale organisaties een instrument te ontwikkelen om zowel fysieke als virtuele sociale verbindingen in de buurt in kaart te brengen en te versterken. Het project maakt deel uit van het onderzoeksprogramma Placemaking and Events van Breda University of Applied Sciences.
The IMPULS-2020 project DIGIREAL (BUas, 2021) aims to significantly strengthen BUAS’ Research and Development (R&D) on Digital Realities for the benefit of innovation in our sectoral industries. The project will furthermore help BUas to position itself in the emerging innovation ecosystems on Human Interaction, AI and Interactive Technologies. The pandemic has had a tremendous negative impact on BUas industrial sectors of research: Tourism, Leisure and Events, Hospitality and Facility, Built Environment and Logistics. Our partner industries are in great need of innovative responses to the crises. Data, AI combined with Interactive and Immersive Technologies (Games, VR/AR) can provide a partial solution, in line with the key-enabling technologies of the Smart Industry agenda. DIGIREAL builds upon our well-established expertise and capacity in entertainment and serious games and digital media (VR/AR). It furthermore strengthens our initial plans to venture into Data and Applied AI. Digital Realities offer great opportunities for sectoral industry research and innovation, such as experience measurement in Leisure and Hospitality, data-driven decision-making for (sustainable) tourism, geo-data simulations for Logistics and Digital Twins for Spatial Planning. Although BUas already has successful R&D projects in these areas, the synergy can and should significantly be improved. We propose a coherent one-year Impuls funded package to develop (in 2021): 1. A multi-year R&D program on Digital Realities, that leads to, 2. Strategic R&D proposals, in particular a SPRONG/sleuteltechnologie proposal; 3. Partnerships in the regional and national innovation ecosystem, in particular Mind Labs and Data Development Lab (DDL); 4. A shared Digital Realities Lab infrastructure, in particular hardware/software/peopleware for Augmented and Mixed Reality; 5. Leadership, support and operational capacity to achieve and support the above. The proposal presents a work program and management structure, with external partners in an advisory role.
