What to expect at the Re/Action Applied Research Showcase

Posted on Thursday, August 23rd, 2018

Algonquin College will be hosting its RE/ACTION: Applied Research Showcase on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018.

RE/ACTION

RE/ACTION highlights leading-edge applied research done in collaboration with industry, institutional, and community partners, providing a glimpse into the future of technology and the current state of innovation.

Come engage with over 35 research teams on the first and second floor of the DARE District and explore their incredible findings and creations. Ranging from robotics and digital innovations to design prototypes, the projects are incredibly diverse – from a step climbing fire-fighter robot to 3D modelling in virtual reality with MasterpieceVR Animation.

Here is a closer look at three projects that have creating a buzz in the local media this week with back to back days of coverage on CTV Morning Live:

Aug. 22: https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1469142&binId=1.1487308&playlistPageNum=1

Aug. 23: https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1468032

Mindbliss is a meditation phone app being customized for the Apple Watch. Lauren Baroud, a recent graduate of Interactive Media Design program and team lead, discusses further:

Q: What is Mindbliss?

A: Mindbliss is a meditation app that is currently in the market. It offers tailored meditations and breathing exercises to reduce anxiety, increase sleep quality and wellbeing. What makes Mindbliss different from other apps is that there are a plethora of different authors and teachers that can help guide you through these sessions. There is also a large variety in session lengths depending on how long a user would like their session to be.

Our research challenge was to design the user interface (UI) of an Apple Watch version of Mindbliss. To do so, we took a user-centered design approach by following the user experience design process. The watch app differs from the phone app in that it will recommend meditation sessions based on a user’s current mood, as well as their heart rate variability and stress levels measured by the watch. With that in mind, one of our biggest challenges was to figure out how to include as much functionality as possible, but maintain a simple navigation flow, all within a small UI.


MindblissMindbliss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve created an interactive prototype using the screens we’ve designed. This prototype doesn’t show the full interactivity of the app (a button being pressed, transitions between screens, icon animations, etc.) The team, however, has put together a motion graphic video hoping that this would give the Mindbliss audience an idea of what to expect. As part of our recommended next steps to our client, we’ve recommended that they begin production of the app.

StudyBug is a mobile, interactive study tool utilizing user-generated material for a variety of games to help memorize your personal content. Research assistant Shane Kirkham, an Interactive Media Design graduate, discusses further:

Q: What is StudyBug?

A: StudyBug App is a mobile study tool utilizing user-generated material for a variety of games to help memorize your personal content. Learners upload their own personal content using audio, video, photo, or text files to create cue cards users can play their created content in a variety of memory strengthening games that are challenging, fun, and replayable.

Studybug

NightLight is an app that aims to reduce sexual assaults at festivals and events. It serves as an SMS based emergency response system that connects event-goers directly to emergency services at large festivals gatherings. Vijay Abhichandani, a Computer Programming student, discusses his project below:

Q: What is NightLight?

A: Nightlight is an SMS based chatbot designed to answer questions about an event for attendees of large gatherings like music festivals or university events and to provide attendees with a direct communication channel to event security personnel. The significant aim of NightLight is to address the frequent occurrence of sexual assault and harassment often associated with these mass gatherings.

NightLight

This idea was created by Dr. Kari Sampsel who is the Director of the Ottawa Hospital Sexual Assault Centre. As a result of research, she has done showing the correlation between mass gatherings like music festivals and higher occurrences of sexual assault cases presenting at the emergency room.


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