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HIT MajorFrom HIT Lab AustraliaHuman Interface Technology (HIT) MajorHuman Interface Technology (HIT) Lab Australia, School of Computing & Information Systems
IntroductionDigital technology has brought new media to the modern world for creative expression in almost all fields of study, enterprise and entertainment. Unfortunately at the same time traditional training and education at the University level still tends to deconstruct and separate the world into disciplines that do not integrate and make use of these media. There is a gulf between the ‘push’ or potential empowerment that technology can provide from the ‘pull’ that applications really need (such as solving the pervasive problems in the world). The purpose of this new major is to build a bridge between disciplines associated with science and technology with those associated with the arts, design and professions in medicine, business and law with a focus of engineering experiences for people at enlighten, delight, inspire and empower. The curriculum is open to all students throughout the University regardless of school association and interest. This new major also constitutes the instructional component of the Tasmania Research Centre of the Human Interface Technology Laboratory in Australia. The Laboratory is linked to the HIT Lab at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, USA and the HIT Lab NZ, located at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ. The mission of the HIT Lab here is to serve as an economic engine for the Tasmania and Australia as a whole by tapping the enormous talent at the UTAS and working on projects that empower people by building advanced interface technology that unlocks and links minds. The course concentrates on the design of the digital medium and the message or content delivered by that medium as well as the human interface to both. Although great progress has been made in developing and networking digital technology, today’s human interfaces to those technologies (e.g, mouse, keyboard, etc.) are extraordinarily limiting and do not match the power of the human with the power of computing and digital media. Furthermore, the content of these media do not take advantage the natural three dimensional capabilities of humans in relating to the real world. The UTAS and HIT Lab AU intend to change this by developing and commercialising advanced interfaces that provide high bandwidth from computers to the brain and between brains, all based upon: 1) the natural abilities and perceptual organization of the human; and 2) the functional needs for specific applications in medicine, design, education and business. Combined, the UTAS courses and HIT Lab projects will develop both technology capital to build new industry in Australia along with human capital that comes from giving students a project-based multidisciplinary environment in which to learn and grow. In the end, our projects are directed toward building interface tools that open an effectual window for collaboration and creation of digital content that give optimal experiences to people in all fields of endeavour.
DescriptionThe major of human interface science and technology is composed of instructional and project-based units that emphasize technology, creative and entrepreneurial disciplines. The objective is to bring students together to broaden understanding in all components needed to field marketable products that solve pervasive problems in the world through the use of digital media. Through a schedule of required units and electives, students will be able to connect between ‘technology’ and ‘creative’ disciplines while still being able to emphasize either track through the major. Student experiences will consist of lectures, laboratories, design studios, field studies, and possible funded research projects in connection with the HIT Lab AU and other HIT Labs in the USA and New Zealand. The technology used in the course is cutting edge, involving the latest developments in virtual and augmented reality, gaming and simulation. The major begins with a four unit sequence that embeds “storytelling” as its core, then explores the creation of human experience through various media including linear (cinema), interactive (simulation, games & toys) and immersive (virtual reality) modalities. Additional units provide an understanding of the technology basis for creating the medium, including mixed reality technology, game engines and computer graphics. Finally, entrepreneurial and business instruction provides a practical foundation for translating technology and content into marketable products. The emphasis throughout the major will be on solving real problems in the world.
Foundation TechnologyVisionSpace Studio The VisionSpace Studio is being constructed within the School of Computing & Information Systems in the Launceston Campus. VisionSpace is a three-screen immersive stereo projection system that enables groups of people to view and intuitively interact with 3D virtual data in new ways. The VisionSpace theatre facility has three large projection screens capable of showing hi-resolution imagery to a group of people. Users wear polarised glasses to experience an immersive 3D effect, and the system is equipped with surround sound and high-end infrared optical tracking system to provide a truly powerful experience. The VisionSpace facility in Launceston would be one of the first of its type in Australia and provides people with a unique way to view and interact with their spatial data. ARToolKit ARToolKit is a software library for building Augmented Reality (AR) applications. These are applications that involve the overlay of virtual imagery on the real world. For example, in the image to the right a three-dimensional virtual character appears standing on a real card. It can be seen by the user in the head set display they are wearing. When the user moves the card, the virtual character moves with it and appears attached to the real object. ARToolKit is being supported by HIT Lab US, HIT Lab NZ and ARToolworks, Inc, Seattle.
KXH141 Virtual Reality TechnologyThis unit is a companion unit to KXH142 Augmented Reality Technology. Both units are foundation units for a new Human Interface Technology (HIT) major that is being introduced at the (proposed) HIT Lab Australia. The new major is an instructional companion to the organization of the Tasmania Research Centre of Human Interface Technology Laboratory in Australia. This Laboratory is linked to the HIT Lab at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, USA and the HIT Lab NZ, located at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ and will promote the development of advanced human interfaces and media technologies. KXH141 and KXH142 will explore the exciting field of mixed reality and the advanced concepts and technologies for interfacing humans to complex machines. The course will focus on virtual interfaces and their potential impact on the way we think about computers and the way we think with them. Interface design principles will be reviewed from human factors and technological perspectives. Hardware, software and mindware aspects of virtual interfaces and virtual environments will be investigated and applications postulated and designed in the fields of medicine, education, design and entertainment. KXH141 will concentrate more on Virtual Reality Technology, while KXH142 concentrates more on Augmented Reality Technology. VisionSpace will be used for teaching, demonstration and practical applications. Draft Teaching Content
Prerequisites: None Teaching Delivery Method: 2 hours of lectures and 2-hour laboratory work weekly, or equivalent Assessment: 2-hour examination (60%), Assignments (40%)
KXH142 Augmented Reality TechnologyThis unit is a companion unit to KXH141 Virtual Reality Technology. Both units are foundation units for a new Human Interface Technology (HIT) major that is being introduced at the (proposed) HIT Lab Australia. The new major is an instructional companion to the organization of the Tasmania Research Centre of Human Interface Technology Laboratory in Australia. This Laboratory is linked to the HIT Lab at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, USA and the HIT Lab NZ, located at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ and will promote the development of advanced human interfaces and media technologies. KXH141 and KXH142 will explore the exciting field of mixed reality and the advanced concepts and technologies for interfacing humans to complex machines. The course will focus on virtual interfaces and their potential impact on the way we think about computers and the way we think with them. Interface design principles will be reviewed from human factors and technological perspectives. Hardware, software and mindware aspects of virtual interfaces and virtual environments will be investigated and applications postulated and designed in the fields of medicine, education, design and entertainment. KXH141 will concentrate more on Virtual Reality Technology, while KXH142 concentrates more on Augmented Reality Technology. ARToolKit will be used for teaching, demonstration and practical applications. Draft Teaching Content
Prerequisites: None Teaching Delivery Method: 2 hours of lectures and 2-hour laboratory work weekly, or equivalent Assessment: 2-hour examination (60%), Assignments (40%)
KXH241 User Interface DesignUnit will look at common trends and practices of interface and usability design for interactive entertainment and interactive media technology. Prerequisites: None
KXH242 Fundamentals of Interactive EntertainmentUnit will provide students with an understanding and overview of interactive entertainment and new media from the perspective of the developer, storyteller, designer, artist and audience. This unit will provide students with the theories, tools and techniques to create and analyse stories that can be told as digital interactive games, animated films, immersive experiences or various forms of mixed reality design to help them in the analysis of properties and the creation of new ones. Prerequisites: None
KXH341 Immersive World Workshop AFirst of two in the series allowing students the opportunity to individually and in groups develop a concept and prototype for presentation and review. This unit will look at some of the practical challenges involved in the creation of immersive worlds such as project management and team dynamics, conceiving and writing of a concept proposal, business assessment and analysis, development of marketing and promotional plan, development of prototypes, and the integration of visual, audio and textual elements into the total user experience. Prerequisites: KXH241 or KXH242
KXH342 Immersive World Workshop BSecond in the series of workshops this course will provide students the opportunity to individually and in groups develop a concept and prototype for presentation and review. Prerequisites: KXH341
KXH343 Designing Virtual WorldsUnit will look at the design and development of world building online. Course will explore such topics as what is community (online and offline), game communities, MMOs, and social networks. Particular emphasis on communities from both a social and economic perspective. Computer graphics for virtual worlds would be also covered in this unit. Prerequisites: KXH241 or KXH242
KXH344 Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Interactive EntertainmentUnit will provide an overview of current business models in interactive media and games, state of the game industry, future trends, funding and copyright issues. Course will also look at some of the practical challenges involved in the creation of intellectual properties such as brainstorming, project management and team dynamics, conceiving and writing a concept proposal, business assessment and analysis. Prerequisites: KXH241 or KXH242 |
