Clothing and teddy bears that give real hugs, advanced Web technology designs and intelligent cars are just some of the creations on display at an exhibition at The University of Queensland’s Ipswich campus.
These snapshots of tomorrow are the work of students in the Information Environments program, a part of the School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.
The Information Environments program is dedicated to exploring how people would like to interact with digital technology. Students study information technology, design and computing skills, and consider the human aspects of living in the digital age.
The end-of-year exhibitions have developed a reputation for being enthralling and inspiring, and display work by individual students and teams. This year, iTEL and the UQ Ipswich Library have sponsored some projects.
Associate director of the Information Environments program and exhibition organiser Alan Boykiw said the projects had endless applications in the real world.
“Can you imagine sending a hug from work to a child at day care and they feel it through their teddy? How about feeling their response through your clothing? This is not science fiction _ the technology exists and the students have this concept working,’’ he said.
Working creations include a book-collecting robot and a fountain that illustrates how busy the library computers are. Intelligent cars, parking spaces and organising a night out via mobile phone give a peep at how our lives are to be affected by the unfolding internet capabilities.
The exhibition is open to the public on Friday, November 8 from 10am to 1.30pm in Building 1 at The University of Queensland’s Ipswich campus.
For further information, contact Alan Boykiw on (07) 3381 1120.
