The loss of a limb is extremely debilitating. Unfortunately, today's assistive technologies are still far from providing fully functional artificial limb replacements. Although lower-extremity prostheses are currently better able to give assistance than their upper-extremity counterparts, important locomotion problems still remain for leg amputees. Instability, gait asymmetry, decreased walking speeds, and high metabolic energy costs are some of the main challenges motivating the development of a new kind of prosthetic device.

Social networks have become extremely popular in the last few years. By bringing different media as well as modes of distribution social networks (SN) have revolutionized communication among people. By using the enormous reach of mobile phones equipped with myriads of sensors, the next generation of social networks can be designed not only to connect people with other people, but also to connect people with essential life resources. We call these networks Social Life Networks (SLN).

Co-Hosted by the Berkman Center for Internet & Society @ Harvard University

Free and Open to the Public; RSVP required for those attending in person via the form here.

Computational behavioral science is making significant efforts in analysis and understanding of naturally occurring behavior. Active appearance models are an especially exciting approach. They may be used both to measure naturally occurring facial behavior and to synthesize near-photorealistic real-time avatars to experimentally perturb and reveal the dynamics of social behavior. Cohn's interdisciplinary group of psychologists and computer scientists uses and extends these capabilities.

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A key challenge of data-driven social science is the gathering of high quality multi-dimensional datasets. A second challenge relates to the design and execution of social experiments in the real world that are as reliable as those within a controlled laboratory, yet yield more practical results. We introduce the Social Functional Mechanism-design and Relationship Imaging, or “Social fMRI”–an approach that enhances existing computational social science methodologies by bridging rich data collection strategies with experimental interventions.

The Interface Ecology Lab (http://ecologylab.net) develops computing as a medium of expression, coordination, and ideation. The interface-as-ecosystem is a border zone that juxtaposes disparate representational systems. We synthesize diverse fields to investigate—art, design, cognitive psychology, ethnography, and cultural studies—with computer science and engineering.

People can easily become mindless in their decision-making and become disengaged from their surroundings when their actions depend on information and guidance from an assistive technology. Research has shown how automated navigation assistance systems lead users to be disengaged from the space through which they are traveling, resulting in poor recollection of the environment and poorer situational decision-making. This disengagement and mindlessness can potentially increase the risk of accidents and lower the quality of user experience.