Academic
PROJECTS
With AI taking on an increasingly active role in our modern society, the idea of artificial intelligence agents joining the workforce becomes more and more realistic. In this exploration, it was investigated what characteristics are perceived as valuable in an AI agent when placed in a team meeting setting. This was done by the creation of 4 AI agents with different characteristics and attitudes that result from our matrix with the axes rational vs emotional and accommodating vs assertive. These AI agents were then tested in an experiment in which 5 teams each participated in 6 discussion, related to the topic of sustainability. At every discussion 2 AI’s were present who actively contributed to the conversation in the form of text that was generated by Chat GPT. What was found was that generally stronger, emotive, and assertive AI personas were seen as more valuable for discussions which do not result in consequences, but when consequences, such as not being able to meet a deadline, are involved, a more informative AI presenting little other than facts was seen as more utile. However, these finding could potentially be influenced by a biased sample group and constraints such as time for the purposes of this exploration.
Designer(s)
Vera van Beek, Siddharth Mahadevan, Renée Roestenberg
Year
2022 Feb-Jul
Project
Project 3: Design Research
Squad
Artifice
Coach
Stephan Wensveen
CLIMATTER
The more work we do on our computers, the more digital mess we create. Folders like downloads rarely get sorted at all. This chaos in our digital space increases our cognitive load, causing overstimulation and reducing efficiency. This is especially concerning, considering the increasing amount of data and digital documents, we are obligated to work with in todays day and age. Yet, although the past prioritized mobility and digitalisation, this project plays into the current trend of remote working that opens up opportunities for more stationary and physical office equipment, having the potential to the reduce cognitive load resulting from file management.
Memosio is a file management system in the form of discs, representing different project, on which related files and contacts can be stored. When a disc is placed on the controller, only the files and contacts related to that specific project are shown, therefore limiting the amount of unrelated information one is exposed to. Additionally the controller enriches the work experience by allowing its users to physically interact with their files.
Designer(s)
Vera van Beek, Marloes Lankheet, Thomas Levendig, Thijs Reijnders
Year
2022 Sept - Jan
Project
Project 2: Design
Squad
New Futures
Coach
Bart Hengeveld
MEMOSIO
HYMN is a daydream experience, that allows it users to create the perfect soundscape to disassociate from reality, by means of manipulating shape-changing origami forms.
To realise the product, various shape-changing origami forms were recreated, in an explorative session, and their interaction analysed. The paper origami forms were afterward translated into smaller patterns, strengthened by two layers of interfacing, and sewn together to form the bigger origami forms. Ultimately a holder was created allowing the user to suspend the origami forms. The soundscapes were created using the program Mixpad, by mixing and manipulating various atmospheric sounds from the platform Pixabay. By manipulating the origami forms, the tone, mood and volume of the soundscape can be altered, forming the perfect audible setting for your day dream.
Designer(s)
Vera van Beek, Feije van de Wetering, Sterre Muijlwijk
Year
2022 Feb - April
Project
Aesthetics of Interaction
Coach Kristina Andersen
HYMN
HONORS USONO
The Probefix Magnetic and UltraWise are results from a collaboration between Usono and the TU/e Honors Academy. The Wearable Ultrasound team from the Honors Academy closely worked with Usono to extend Usono’s product portfolio, both looking into opportunities to extend the current product line as well as to infiltrate new markets. As a leader in hands-off ultrasound examinations, Usono is committed to continued innovation, following the success of their Probefix Dynamic product.
Consequently, the hardware design team of Usono explored opportunities for the creation of a probe fixation device for the knee, creating various prototypes. The software team was responsible for the development of the software UltraWise, an AI that supports physiotherapists in the diagnosis of knee injuries. Finally, the business division focused on developing a comprehensive strategy for bringing the new products to market, including market research, pricing, and distribution.
Designer(s)
Vera van Beek, Lucas Kiewek, Kyra Schuttert, Pavle Varinac, Michel Harms, Michal Kuchar
Year
Sept 2022 - June 2023
Project
Honors Wearable Ultrasound Project
Track
Empowerment for Health and Wellbeing
Coach
Victor Donker (CEO Usono)
Co-connect is a high-tech system, made for students, that matches people with a high compatibility rating together and assigns them to a specific study area, (while giving a conversation starter after leaving), providing a safe environment and a lowered threshold for social contact. After the recent COVID pandemic young adults say to have difficulty socialising and experience various levels of social anxiety. Especially, the threshold to initiate social contact is experienced to be too high. Co-connect’s matching system and conversation starter feature aim to help people connect and open up more easily with the people around them.
When a student enters a study zone, Co-Connect offers people the opportunity to be matched to a specific study area by means of 3 fun questions about themselves, designed to match similar people to each other. Afterwards, the user is offered a conversation starter, providing a lowered threshold to initiate contact, that can be accessed by scanning the QR code that appears on the screen. All together Co-Connect helps you to overcome your social anxiety and improve social connectedness.
Designer(s)
Vera van Beek, Marloes Lankheet, Jason Koch, Linde Hoekstra
Year
2022 Jan- June
Project
Project 1: Design
Squad
Vitality
Coach
Lu Yuan, Milou Bruinenberg