Martina Costello
Biography
Martina was brought up in a small village in Galway known as Corofin. In 2003, she graduated from the University of Limerick with a degree in Computer systems. During her studies she was introduced to new concepts such as ubiquitous and pervasive computing. The belief that this new wave of computing could bring computational ability out of a box into real world objects and most importantly bring people away from the desktop was enough to inspire her to revive her creative side that was underused whilst studying computer systems. Alas, she realized that she preferred the colourful, human factors side of computing and that there was more to computers other than binary 1's and 0's. So she decided to stay in UL to undertake the Masters in Interactive Media.
Project Description
Upadema (Ubiquitous Peripheral Awareness Display as an Everyday Memory Aid)
The Upadema explores a novel way in which wearable, peripheral awareness and ubiquitous technologies might help to support everyday memory difficulties that we all experience in a subtle, non-intrusive and private manner. It involves seamlessly embedding digital information into a wearable device and personal items that are intended to augment human ability, by providing notification at the periphery of a user's attention, to prevent the loss and misplacement of selected personal items . The few notification devices and memory aids that currently exist on the market for this purpose utilise a series of beeping sounds as a means of notification and consist of a textual Graphical User Interface (GUI). When tested with a target user group the use of unsolicited sound for this purpose was deemed annoying and intrusive. In contrast, the Upadema investigates the use of subtle visual and vibro-tactile notification modalities and allows the user to have more control over the use of sound. The GUI consists of series of coloured LED's that aim to provide the same degree of support as a textual GUI. It also attempts to remove the undesirable social issues that are attached to comparable devices that currently exist on the market and aims to prevent distraction to other people in the surrounding environment.
For the purpose of this project t he Upadema prototype takes the form of a wristband but the features it provides could be integrated into a wearable computer or watch. The project builds on knowledge drawn from previous research carried out in related fields and investigates a fresh design for memory aids and notification devices from a user interaction and social point of view. The Upadema also demonstrates the strong future potential for devices that hide the technology and make room for aesthetical user preferences and in turn paves the ways for further research and development.
Contact Details :
Email Address: martinacostello101@hotmail.com
Website Address: http://richie.idc.ul.ie/martinac/
