The idea of the project is the creation of a dynamically responsive surface
that configures in real-time according to input from a variety of electronic
inputs (movements, sound, etc). As such, it can be thought of as a
three-dimensional screen, but one that can be attuned to its surrounding
environment, creating the potential of a physically responsive architecture. It
may also be used to display text or images, responding rapidly enough to be able
to map the movements and sounds of people. Therefore, it can function
alternately as a tactile mirror and an information surface, the architecture
coming into being 'as event' only through interaction with people. Conceptually,
the project takes the calculating speed of the computer into three-dimensional
space, using a matrix of actuators to deform a pliable surface in response to
'real-time' events. The principle of coordinated 3-dimensional variability
evidently extends to a wide range of possible applications. It may serve, for
instance, to open and close elements of the facade of a building which would
respond to climatic conditions as a "breathing skin", continually recalibrating
according to detected changes in ambient weather.
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About the Speaker: SAEID NAHAVANDI
SAEID NAHAVANDI received BSc (Hons), MSc and a PhD in Automation from Durham
University (UK). In 1991 he joined Massey University (NZ) where he taught and
led research in robotics. In 1998 he joined Deakin University and now holds the
Chair in Engineering. Professor Nahavandi is the leader for the Intelligent
Systems research group and also Manager for the Cooperative Research Centre for
CAST Metals Manufacturing.
Professor Nahavandi has been an active researcher in the area of Intelligent
Automation and Intelligent Systems since 1986. He won the title of Young
Engineer of the Year for his novel intelligent robotic end effector in 1996.
Professor Nahavandi received the Best Paper Award at the World Automation
Congress 2000 in the USA for his contributions to control system design. In 2002
Professor Nahavandi became Consultant to Jet Propulsion Lab (NASA). In 2003
Professor Nahavandi was an invited speaker at the 2003 BISC FLINT-CIBI
International Joint Workshop on Soft Computing for Internet and Bioinformatics
Frontiers - University of California at Berkeley. He was also Invited speaker at
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA, Pasadena, USA, July 2002 and Keynote speaker at
three international conferences including the IEEE International conference on
DSP in Communication, Feb. 1999, Perth. Professor Nahavandi was the General
Chair For World Manufacturing Congress 97 (NZ), Co-Chair for International
Symposium on Manufacturing with Applications (ISOMA 98, Alaska), Chair for
International Symposium on Manufacturing with Applications (ISOMA’2000, Hawaii),
Co-Chair - The IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (IEEE ICIT
2001), General Chair - International Congress on Autonomous Intelligent Systems
(2002, Deakin),
Professor Nahavandi holds the position of Editor for the International Journal
Intelligent Automation and Soft Computing (South Pacific region) and
International Journal of Computational Intelligence (Editorial Board member).
Professor Nahavandi has been awarded 8 ARC research grants in the past five
years and several industry based research grants for a total of over $6.8 M.
Professor Nahavandi received the Research collaboration / initiatives award from
Japan (2000) and Prince & Princess of Wales Science Award in 1994. He is
currently supervising 7 PhD and 4 Masters of Engineering students and previously
supervised 7 PhD and 12 Masters to successful completion.
Professor Nahavandi holds one patent on robotic end effector and has published
over 185 peer reviewed papers and is the recipient of four international awards
in Engineering. He is a Fellow of IEAust and IEE.