The One Show film in the York Responsive Home
Posted on 22 December 2009
Professor Andrew Monk demonstrated various technologies for BBC One’s The One Show in a film broadcast on 18 December. His message was that technology is not just for young people, and that only by properly understanding the needs of users can we devise useful products.
Too many technologies and services are developed without considering the actual needs of real users
Professor Andrew Monk
"Too many technologies and services are developed without considering the actual needs of real users. That’s why we start with users. Our research is to understand their needs thoroughly and then to use this understanding to devise new technologies that can help." Professor Monk said.
The show featured video tele-consultation equipment using three cameras. The need for this configuration of cameras emerged during interviews with clinicians who had used video conferencing in their day-to-day work. They indicated a need for: a wide-angle view of the patient to see what they are doing, a hand held wireless camera for close up views and a very wide-angle view of the whole room to gauge who else might be listening in.
The One Show filmed in the Responsive Home, a bungalow on the University of York campus. This is used as a laboratory and exhibition space by researchers at the Centre for Usable Home Technology who are drawn from the Departments of Computer Science, Psychology, Electronics and Sociology at the University of York.
The edition of the programme can be seen at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00pgpj2/The_One_Show_18_12_2009/
CUHTec researchers work in close collaboration with all kinds of technology users but especially older and disabled people. To see some of the demonstrations of technology in the Responsive Home that illustrate real user needs go to www.cuhtec.org.uk/resphome.php
ENDS
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