Keynote Lectures

Abstract
In this talk we will present some of our recent results in the field of Virtual Reality, making full use of advanced technologies, namely visual, tactile (or haptic), and/or brain-computer interfaces. We will describe our perception-based approach consisting in taking advantage from knowledge in human perception to improve the design, the evaluation and the application of our novel technologies. We will notably describe our research activities on Brain-Computer Interfaces, which give access to a novel user input and an incomparable way of interacting "by thought".

Abstract
Affective disorders, such as stress and depression are estimated to be among the highest ranking causes of disease by 2020 affecting over 33 million people whose yearly healthcare costs exceed Eur 100 Billion. Technologies addressing these challenges range from computerised cognitive behavioural therapy tools to more recent mental health apps and wearable devices. The latter technologies reflect the quantified self movement and its emphasis on data capturing in real life settings, remote data storage and analysis by professional therapists for diagnosis and medical treatment. In this talk I will challenge some of the assumptions of such technologies and the importance to shift from devices for capturing and recognizing emotions to those supporting also understanding and regulation of emotional responses. I will discuss the main theoretical perspectives supporting this shift and the need for broader interdisciplinary Bioengineering research agenda drawing also from Human-Computer Interaction and Psychology. The talk will conclude with a reflection on such a novel interdisciplinary approach within our EC-funded Innovative Training Network AffecTech: Personal technologies for affective health (Euro 3.8m).

Abstract
There has been significant progress in medical technology that provides early stage and detailed diagnosis of many disease. This has enhanced the longetivity and quality of life and we are now living longer and healthier, and significantly more independent. We are also able to perform relevant functional activities for significant period. However, many of these diagnostics can be performed only in major hospitals and require significant infrastructure such as qualified personnel, buildings, and electricity. This greatly limits the benefits of the technologies to be located in large urban centres. Dinesh has been working towards changing the above paradigm and works for the development of diagnostic devices that are suitable for being used in remote regions by untrained healthcare personnel. Such devices provide automation of recording and analysis of the data, thereby do not require large buildings, and are suitable for the target audience. The success of such diagnostic devices is based on the development of advanced image and signal processing techniques that makes these devices noise tolerant and provide good quality diagnostics without high quality infrastructure.

Abstract
Industrial design was born with the industrial revolution thanks to the intention of consciously design objects for everyday use. Since its inception, industrial design has had to mediate between the needs of the users and the production capacities of the industry. Before that revolution, objects were crafted manually by the end-user themselves, as a response to their specific needs, or by artisans with special manual skills who knew of those needs. Mass production has allowed to reduce costs for the industry, but at the same time forced people to use generic products that are not tailor-made. Typically, it is the man who has to adapt to the product and not vice versa. Only in recent years have the user needs become important enough to overcome technical/economical restrictions. Today, the field of Product Design is highly evolved, and several methodologies have been developed to guide the complex process of creating new products. Much of them consider the user requirements superficially and are guided mainly by technological innovation. In market paradigm of mass production, a new product is often produced in hundreds of thousands. When a design mistake occurs, it too is reproduced by hundreds of thousands. If a new product is a commercial flop, the result is tons of trash. In order to reduce this risk, data about user requirements are collected by well-known User Research Methodologies, which tend to increase the likelihood that a given product will be accepted by the public, and thus commercially successful. In the field of disability, markets are much smaller than “consumer” products. Thus, the main impact on the design of a product for disability are from: higher production costs and the need for adaptation. Products for disability, often are morphologically complex because they need adjustments to the specific user needs. Frequently, with the goal of lengthening the life time of the product, stronger materials, robust design and some adjustment capabilities are used. As a result, ugly products are frequently produced, with a consequent stigmatization of the disability status. Needless to say, the worsening of such a situation increases inversely proportional to the user income and strength of the public health system. Today, we should consider a new aspect in relation with this field: Desktop Digital Manufacturing approach. Are we coming back to a pre-industrialization era? How could the Assistive Technology market change in the proximate future?