Electronic Imaging & the Visual Arts. EVA 2017 Florence

The Publication is following the yearly Editions of EVA FLORENCE. The State of Art is presented regarding the Application of Technologies (in particular of digital type) to Cultural Heritage. The more recent results of the Researches in the considered Area are presented. Information Technologies of interest for Culture Heritage are presented: multimedia systems, data-bases, data protection, access to digital content, Virtual Galleries. Particular reference is reserved to digital images (Electronic Imaging & the Visual Arts), regarding Cultural Institutions (Museums, Libraries, Palace - Monuments, Archaeological Sites). The International Conference includes the following Sessions: Strategic Issues; New Sciences and Culture Developments and Applications; New Technical Developments & Applications; Museums - Virtual Galleries and Related Initiatives; Art and Humanities Ecosystem & Applications; Access to the Culture Information. Two Workshops regard: Innovation and Enterprise; the Cloud Systems connected to the Culture (eCulture Cloud) in the Smart Cities context. The more recent results of the Researches at national and international are reported in the Area of Technologies and Culture Heritage, also with experimental demonstrations of developed Activities

Real-time robotic tasks for cyber-physical avatars

Although modern robots can perform complex tasks using sophisticated algorithms that are specialized to a particular task and environment, creating robots capable of completing tasks in unstructured environments without human guidance (e.g., through teleoperation) remains a challenge. In this research, we present a framework to meet this challenge for a "cyberphysical avatar," which is defined to be a semi-autonomous robotic system that adjusts to an unstructured environment and performs physical tasks subject to critical timing constraints while under human supervision. This thesis first realizes a cyberphysical avatar that integrates three key technologies: (1) whole body-compliant control, (2) skill acquisition from machine learning (neuroevolution methods and deep learning), and (3) vision-based control through visual servoing. Body-compliant control is essential for operator safety because avatars perform cooperative tasks in close proximity to humans; machine learning enables "programming" avatars such that they can be used by non-experts for a large array of tasks, some unforeseen, in an unstructured environment; the visual servoing technique is indispensable for facilitating feedback control in human avatar interaction. This thesis proposes and demonstrates a systematically incremental approach to automating robotic tasks by decomposing a non-trivial task into stages, each of which may be automated by integrating the aforementioned techniques. We design and implement the controllers for two semi-autonomous robots that integrate three key techniques for grasping and pick-and-place tasks. While a general theory is beyond reach, we present a study on the tradeoffs between three design metrics for robotic task systems: (1) the amount of training effort for the robots to perform the task, (2) the time available to complete the task when the command is given, and (3) the quality of the result of the performed task. The tradeoff study in this design space uses the imprecise computation model as a framework to evaluate specific types of tasks: (1) grasping an unknown object and (2) placing the object in a target position. We demonstrate the generality of our integration methodology by applying it to two different robots, Dreamer and Hoppy. Our approach is evaluated by the performance of the robots in trading off between task completion time, training time and task completion success rate, in an environment similar to those in the recent Amazon Picking Challenge.Computer Science

Development of Human-Computer Interaction for Holographic AIs

Virtual humans and embodied conversational agents play diverse roles in real life, including game characters, chatbots, and teachers. In Augmented Reality (AR), such agents are capable of interacting with the real world. To distinguish between both types of virtual agents, AR agents were conceptually redefined as "holographic Artificial Intelligences (AIs)". Holographic AIs are embodied virtual agents interacting with real objects in Augmented Reality (AR), and can respond to events both in virtual and real environments. This thesis provides a comprehensive investigation into holographic AIs, spanning from their design to their user experience. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the creation and use of holographic AIs, by creating specific holographic AIs, and then examining how users perceive such entities in order to contribute to the improvement of the user experience. As a result, this thesis explores the design space for and methods for creating holographic AIs, proposing the novel PICS model which include the dimensions of persona, intelligence, conviviality, and senses. Following the PICS model, a set of holographic AIs are designed by using a method of semi-automatic reconstruction. An AI that resembles a human being in appearance and behaviour is endowed with multimodal interactions capable of creating the illusion of physicality. The initial proposed model is then refined based on the experience of creation. Basic body language gestures, such as nodding and opening the arms, are insufficient to engage users, particularly when it comes to intelligent tutoring systems. Therefore, this thesis specifically focuses on an open problem, the generation of re-usable standard instructional gestures. In an experiment, key instructional movements that can be employed by holographic AIs were identified and extracted as animations. The hitherto known range of representational gestures is, epistemologically, further expanded by transformational and imitation gestures, which show how humans manipulate spatio-motor information and characterise posture using hand motion. Therefore, the model can be extended to describe the holographic AI’s behaviour. Moreover, in order to assess the empirical validity of holographic AIs, this research explores learners' trustworthiness towards this novel technology - as a key criterion for efficacy of this AI approach. Trust and trustworthiness, in terms of holographic AIs, refers to a mindset that aids users in achieving objectives based on good intentions. Young learners’ perception of trust is largely influenced by affective aspects of trust, determined by how emotionally responsive a holographic AI is. These findings contribute to the design of personal holographic AIs that can perform a series of meaningful gestures that engage the learner’s attention for learning, which in turn fosters a reliable and trustworthy relationship. Both experiments are able to extend elements by adding gestures and holistic perception to this model

Regulatory Disruption and Arbitrage in Health-Care Data Protection

This article explains how the structure of U.S. health-care data protection(specifically its sectoral and downstream properties) has led to a chronically uneven policy environment for different types of health-care data. It examines claims for health-care data protection exceptionalism and competing demands such as data liquidity. In conclusion, the article takes the position that health­ care-data exceptionalism remains a valid imperative and that even current concerns about data liquidity can be accommodated in an exceptional protective model. However, re-calibrating our protection of health-care data residing outside of the traditional health-care domain is challenging, currently evenpolitically impossible

Interpreting parametric-biomimicry design from cad тo bim software: digital modelling based on a sketch of nandi flame

This research represents an application of two digital modelling softwares, first digital modelling software, chosen as representative of Computer-Aided Design – CAD modelling tool was Fusion 360. The representative of Building Information Modelling (BIM) as second digital modelling software was ArchiCAD. The aim of the research was to translate the same parametric-biomimicry design methodology used in CAD process modelling into BIM environment. African species Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv, whose common name in Kenya is Nandi flame, has been selected for the purpose of this digital modelling processes. As one of the most spectacular flowering plants, Nandi flame is indigenous to the tropical dry forests in Kenya. The decorative flower of this species was the basic model, more precisely the botanical sketches of the flower. This sketches were implemented into digital modelling softwares and used for parametric modelling. The results of this processes were represented as urban models or installations (landscape-architectural elements) in open space. This approach of digitally generating conceptual solutions from nature elements has capability to boost the formulation of new creative inventions in the different fields. The unique geometric patterns found in the flower of Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv served as a good example of how we may transform these ideas into actual design installations– using CAD or BIM software tools. This research has been carried out with the aim to find the position of BIM tools in parametric biomimicry design

The central role of the designer's appreciative system in socially situated design activity

According to Dorst and Dijkhuis (1995) the two principal paradigms governing design activity discourse, are Simon's rational problem solving, and Schon's theory of design as a 'reflective conversation with the situation'. The rational problem solving view, that a fixed problem space structures design activity, has reduced the designer to a 'missing person' within design activity research (Dorst & Reymen 2004). This thesis aims to highlight the agency of the designer in structuring and motivating socially situated design activity. Dorst's (2006) framework of 'design paradoxes' suggests that design problems are evolving and unknowable. Design situations are determined through the designer's reinterpretation of the social discourses underpinning design situations, in a similar way to 'problem setting' within 'reflection-in-action' (Schon 1983). While Dorst suggests interpretation relies on intuition, problem setting relies on 'professional artistry' which is 'bounded' by the 'appreciative system' (personal knowledge, values and beliefs) and is essentially 'learnable' (Schon 1983). This thesis explores the correspondence between Schon's theory and contemporary frameworks including 'design paradoxes' (Dorst 2006), 'designerly ways of knowing' (Cross 1982), 'organising principles' (Rowe 1987), and 'creative problem construction' (Mumford et al 2004). It investigates the agency of the designer as evidenced in the use of the 'appreciative system'. This is elucidated using case study analysis of a novice designer, within a tertiary design degree. The case reveals the structured and motivated use of the designer's appreciative system. It indicates the deployment of 'appreciative goals' are fundamental to the 'linking behaviour of designers' (Dorst 2006), enabling design to begin in the absence of 'repertoire' or domain knowledge (Schon 1983), and the acquisition of new repertoire knowledge. These emergent findings offer new pedagogical perspectives both in terms of design expertise, which is normally associated with domain knowledge, and educating domain independent, multidisciplinary designers. Frames or similar 'organising principles' operate in most design fields, and create a 'principle of relevance' for knowledge from multiple domains and disciplines (Buchanan 1992). An awareness and acknowledgement of the objective function of subjective personal and social knowledge is essential in order to locate the 'missing' designer and understand innovative design activity