My Ph.D. is ending!

It has been quite a long time since I am outside of the blog.
But, my Ph.D. is ending!

During the two last months, my effort was insane. 

At the end of may, I presented a poster at 1st Joint Conference and Exhibition – Fostering Science & Innovation Ecosystems: Portugal-USA Partnerships that headed in Palácio Foz – Lisbon. The title, "Applying a HSI model to create adaptable m-Health interfaces based on users behavior". 
What an important opportunity. I had the idea how all Portugal-USA programs worked, as well, contacted with Ph.D. students and start-ups created in Portugal with international overview. The stakeholders were students integrated in one of the three programs (UT Austin Portugal Program; CMU Portugal Program; MIT Portugal Program). 

Abstract

This poster presents an overview of the Ph.D research focus on the methodology created to support all the work – “Human-Social Interaction for e-health Interfaces” [1]. The main objective is to reduce the step's number of the Iterative Design Process using the three different path of the experience.

              Cláudia Pernencar and Teresa Romão (Ph.D, Co-Supervisor)

At the beginning of June, I conducted usability tests with IBD patients in Lisbon and Oporto. This work was possible because APDI (http://www.apdi.org.pt.) helped giving me the opportunity to contact directly with associated patients. Thanks to João Machado and Amélia Santos for the support!

In June, 1st I flew to Madeira island to participate in Ut Austin/M-iti Workshop  http://www.m-iti.org/node/2820. It was another good opportunity to presented my Ph.D. work to the research community. It was a 20' presentation with four years of my research:  (1) The motivation; (2) The problematic; (3) The challenges and concerns; (4) Scientific publications. The feedback from a researcher of IC² Institute was quite peculiar and an interesting tip for when I finish the Ph.D. We also have the chance to contact with M-iti (Madeira Interactive Institute) labs, researchers and their projects. I was very surprised with what I saw. A huge researcher center! To finish, an informal cocktail with dinner included. It was an excellent socializing between Ph.D students (Lisbon and Oporto), senior researchers (UT Austin), coordinators, (FE.UP, FCT.UNL and M-iti) and directors (Ut Austin and M-iti).

One my Ph.D. colleague who is from Madeira was also a participant in the workshop. With Ana's support, it was easier for the group visited the island. Thanks Ana for sharing beautiful views. 

To finished, on June 26 I presented in Summer Doctoral Consortium - SDC 2015 (Campus de Vairão da UP, in Vila do Conde) a simulation of my defense. The opportunity comes from CECL, where I am researcher assistant since April 2015. The members of jury panel: My supervisor Prof.ª Graça Simões (FCSH/UNL); Prof.º Sérgio Tenreiro Magalhaes (Universidade Católica Portuguesa - Braga); Prof.ª Maria Fernanda Martins (FLUP). 

CECL article about SDC 2015

Now, it is time to end with gold key. 

Apply my Ph.D project to "Fraunhofer Portugal Challenge 2015" http://www.challenge.fraunhofer.pt/en/the_challenge.html

              Screenshot of PDF presentation available online 

Wish me luck!

How far will wearable technology goes?

Why wearable tech will be as big as the smartphone?  

"Data will not help you if you can’t see it when you need it. For Dan Eisenhardt—a competitive swimmer for more than a decade, beginning as a 9-year-old in his native Denmark—the data he needed in the water, what he could never know in the water, was his splits. His event was the 1,500-meter freestyle, the longest slog in the sport, a near-mile of grinding exertion divided into 15 laps of 100 meters apiece. As with every distance sport, pacing is all; lag your target time on the first two laps and you may never catch up, but accidentally beat it and you’ll load your tissue with lactic acid, doom your endgame. How fast was his last lap? How did it compare to his usual pace? His coach up on the pool deck could know, his parents in the stands could know. But Eisenhardt, at war in the water, could only guess."  WASIK, BILL  (2013)

http://www.wired.com/2013/12/wearable-computers/all/

This is very interesting and make me think how it will be the wearables technologies in the future, actually not so far from today. In my opinion, we are living the decade of Ubiquitous Computing so, this is a "marriage" that probably could make sense in different areas specially for healthcare but, let's have a look on what we are dealing nowadays.

1] Wristbans Xylobands

Light devices, like the ones from Xylobands – Wristbands integrated LEDs that can be controlled via radio technologies, are an excellent example of a wearable trend for festivals or concerts. In several Coldplay concerts the engagement with their fans were an magical experience. Yes, this is what we are talking about, live experience. I agree that we could this in a kind of "Immersive User Experience" for live audience environments which make the audience as a part of the show.

Coldplay - Paradise (Live 2012 from Paris)

In live events the LED wristband is controlled by radio creating lighting effects at a range  from 200,000-150,000 people. It is compose by multiple flash patterns with RGB LED’s which can change to any colour. Can be programmed to create a vast array of amazing visual effects and images to compliment any live event. Can be RFID enabled to enhance the event with an integration with social media. 

For more information:

http://www.xylobands.com


2] “The Pepsi Bioreactive Concert” – SXSW 2014

Another example of an "Immersive User Experience" is the liver performer in real-time created by Pepsi during the SXSW 2014. The audience was using lightwave wearable wireless devices to measure different user interactions — movement, audio levels and body temperature. The objective was to visualize in real-time the collected data of the dance energy from boys and girls. This is what we call "User engagement".  

3] Narrative Clip

This small wearable camera is focus on a different trend – Collect moments that matter.
The key features are what makes this devices different from others, timeline with geotag and timestamp, explore the moments through a unique time-lapse, social media  connection to share your moments and inspire other Narrative users, write captions personalisation and so one.

(Image source: rainews)

IOS Mobile Application:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/narrative/id722804868?mt=8

For more information:

http://getnarrative.com


4] Project POLE  

A motion-capture sportswear with 9-axis motion sensors to track whole body movements. Combine with the app TRACKY+ it is possible to monitor the heart rate, movements captured by 3D rendering, body temperature and interpret the fitness or stress level, through the respiratory rate. My doubts here is more related wit other devices, the smartwatches. What is the environment for users get experience with this devices?  e.g. The Strava app (Running and Cycling GPS trackers, Performance Analytics) actually now synchronise with Apple Watch and what we see from the different article is that are more related with outdoor experience instead of indoor fitness. My personal experience is only related with Gamin Fenix 2. The bluetooth connection between this watch and my smartphone when I am running in the mountains it is cool because I can see how is calling me during the activity, looking only to the screen of my watch. 

http://www.coolwearable.com/tracky-motioncapture-sportswear/

(Image source: cool wearable)

Preorder in Indeigogo:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/projectpole-world-s-first-motioncapture-sportswear

As a researcher of healthcare technology, I am always looking forward for new and relevant ideas related, even if they are a prototype. 

5] Fashion-Inspired insulin delivery 

Designer: Designer: Devina Kothar

"Devina Kothari’s innovative solution for insulin delivery easily integrates into the user’s lifestyle with fashion-inspired wearable tech they can set and forget! It uses a closed-loop delivery method that detects blood glucose levels before slowly dispersing the appropriate insulin dosage. Not only automated, the process is also made pain-free by use of a micro-needle array where the diameter is smaller than that of a mosquito’s probe! Additionally, integrated bio-sensors detect any unusual fluctuation in the patient’s glucose levels, pulse rate and other metrics and will automatically notify the appropriate party in the event of an emergency."

http://www.yankodesign.com/2014/10/14/fashion-inspired-insulin-delivery/

(Image source: yanko design)