The Design of the Future Things

CHAPTER 7
The Future of Everyday Things
Outline

1. Introduction
2. Robot
3. Technology and Human
4. The Science Design
1. Introduction(1)
- Smart technology -
Snow White’s mirror
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who’s the fairest of them all?”

“Mirror on the wall, Does this clothing match at all?”

“Mirror, Which hairstyles fit me best?”
Not only answer your question but also even change your image.

Intelligent vehicles, Intelligent machines, Intelligent space…

Smart technologies have the capacity to enhance pleasure, simplify
lives, add to our safety if only they could really work well.
1. Introduction(2)
- Smart technology -

Intelligent refrigerators

In the near future, foods will have computer-readable tags.

Refrigerator will know what is inside it, and what you are
putting in or taking out.
Also it will know expiration dates of foods, and your weight
and diet.
Of course it will talk with its owner, but also talks with one
another.
2. Robots(1)
- Wide range of activities -
Robots have wide range of activities;
Managing health care, handling security, performing educational
services, providing entertainment, manufacturing, rescue missions,
and military.

The definition of robot is often being used to refer to anything which

is mobile, even though it is controlled by a human.
But author prefers to expand this term to autonomous system including
home appliances.
2. Robots(2)
- What kind of direction do robots proceed? -
Especially two kinds of robots;
Educational robot
Robot can read aloud and could very well interact with child.
e.g. alphabet, reading, vocabulary, pronunciation, math, music, …
Interconnected, communicating robot
Cars are already starting to talk to one another and to the highways so
they can synchronize intersections and lane changing.
In the future, car will let restaurant know their location, so the car can
suggest menus to the drivers.

General-purpose robot is most desired, but it will come out last of all
robots.
3. Technology and Human

Although science and technology make rapid changes,

people’s behavior and culture take decade to change.
But the human brain does change as a result of
experience. (e.g.) London taxi drivers
Especially prolonged, early experience of children.

Society needs to address the impact of all of these changes on individuals

and societies.
Designers who translate ideas into reality are at the forefront of these
concerns.
Designer needs to understand the social impact of their actions.
 5. The Science Design(1)

Design : The deliberate shaping of the environment in ways that satisfy

individual and societal needs.
In university, we talk to others within our own narrowly defined categories.
So university is optimal for developing specialists.

But designers must be generalists who can innovate across the disciplines(major).

generalists
CV
Optics specialists
specialists Solid state
Robotics specialists
Math specialists
specialists
 5. The Science Design(2)

Design is now taught and practiced as an art form or craft, not as a science.

・ Engineers have attempted to apply formal methods which optimize the

mechanical and mathematical aspects of design but ignore the social and
the aesthetic.
・ Artists resist systematization, believing it will destroy the creative heart
of
design.
We need a new approach , one that combines the precision and rigor of
business and engineering, the understanding of social interactions, and
the aesthetic of the arts.
6. Conclusion

1. Designers need to understand the social impact of their actions.

2. Designers must be generalists who can innovate across the
disciplines
3. We are in for confusing, exciting, dangerous, enjoyable time. How
well these will succeed will depend on the design of the future
things.