Thought this might be of interest to some..... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 10 Jun 1996 16:26:29 -0700 (PDT) From: Phil Agre <pagre@weber.ucsd.edu> To: rre@weber.ucsd.edu Subject: Wearable computing conference August 19-21st [The world is so wonderfully strange.] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This message was forwarded through the Red Rock Eater News Service (RRE). Send any replies to the original author, listed in the From: field below. You are welcome to send the message along to others but please do not use the "redirect" command. For information on RRE, including instructions for (un)subscribing, send an empty message to rre-help@weber.ucsd.edu =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Date: Mon, 10 Jun 1996 18:50:09 -0400 From: Thad E Starner <testarne@tottenhamcourt.media.mit.edu> Subject: Wearable computing conference August 19-21st [...] Announcement/Call for Participation Workshop on Wearable Computer Systems Over the past few years, a new technology has been rapidly taking shape. It is the technology of wearable computer systems -- battery-operated computer systems worn on the user's body on a belt, backpack or vest, designed for mobile and predominantly hands-free operation, often incorporating head-mounted displays and speech input. Such systems are now being prototyped and investigated in the context of a wide variety of military, educational and industrial applications, including maintenance, training, and manufacturing. On August 19-21, Boeing will host an informal workshop on wearable computer technology, at the Boeing Customer Services Training Center in Renton, WA, a few miles east of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Our intent is to bring together vendors and potential vendors of these systems, researchers studying this technolgy, and key application customers for an open discussion of the future of wearable computer systems technology. The workshop's technical focus will be on the platforms, peripherals, software systems and applications associated with wearable computers. The format of the meeting will be as follows: o There will be several research presentations. Leading university, industrial, and government labs will discuss the research they are doing concerning the design and use of future wearable systems. o Booth space will be available for vendors to display and demonstrate their current products. o Selected government and industrial developers will describe the wearable computer applications they are planning or implementing, and the technical requirements implied by these applications. o Later in the meeting, participants will separate into breakout discussion groups of their choice to focus on issues of particular interest to them. Each breakout group will present a summary of their discussion and their recommendations to the main body of the workshop particpants. Breakout discussion topics may include - what standards need to be established? - what are the operating system and user interface software requirements for wearable computers? - what basic and applied research should the government fund in this area? A more detailed list of possible breakout discussion topics is included on the workshop registration form. Registrants are requested to select which topics they believe would be most worthwhile to address at the meeting. How to Apply to Participate Because of space limitations and the informal nature of this workshop, attendance will be limited to 150. Persons or groups wishing to attend should submit either a booth request or a research or application position paper, as described below. Academic, government, industrial or vendor researchers and government, industrial or vendor application developers are invited to submit position papers. As time permits, attendees will be asked to give brief talks about their research or development activities, based on their position papers. There may not be time for all attendees to speak to the group. In that case, the organizing committee will try to select a representative mix of research and application talks from among the position papers. Position papers and booth requests may be submitted by mail to Ms. Diane Rush Research and Technology Boeing Information and Support Services P.O. Box 3707, Mail Stop 7L-40 Seattle, WA 98124-2207 or by fax to 206-865-2965, or by Internet mail to diane.rush@iss-rt.boeing.com We strongly prefer submission via e-mail (ASCII text). For related questions, Diane can be reached by phone at 206-865-3211. Due Dates Booth space requests and workshop position papers are due by June 19. The committee's selections will be announced by July 12. Research Papers People engaged in research projects on wearable computer systems are invited to submit a two-page position paper, describing - the problems their research project is addressing - results they have achieved - the potential implications of their research on the future of this technology. Application Papers People conducting or commencing applications of wearable computers to military, industrial, medical or other domains are invited to submit two-page position papers describing their project, including - the application they are focused on - technical issues/problems they are encountering - requirements this application is placing on wearable computer technology. Vendor/Demo Booths Booth space in and near the workshop auditorium is limited. Displays should be designed to fit within an 8' by 6' area. Each display will have access to electrical outlets and will be provided, if they desire, with a 5' by 2' table. Booth requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Accomodations There are several hotels in Renton near the Boeing Customer Services Training building. Boeing buses will transport workshop attendees to and from the meeting at the beginning and end of each workshop day. The list of recommended hotels will be sent to attendees along with their selection notification. These hotels are reserving blocks of rooms for workshop attendees until July 18. Further Information About the Workshop Up-to-date workshop information will be maintained on the World-Wide Web, at the following address: http://wearables.www.media.mit.edu/projects/wearables/workshop/ Workshop Organizing Committee David Mizell Boeing Information and Support Services Thomas Caudell University of New Mexico Zary Segall University of Oregon Dan Siewiorek Carnegie Mellon University Thad Starner Massachusetts Institute of Technology