The design of smartspace: A personal working environment

We describe the conception and design process that led to the development of SmartSpace; a concept demonstration that integrates a number of technologies and computer peripherals into a semi-immersive work space, replacing the desk and computer of today with a ‘smart chair’. SmartSpace is a potential future working environment in which the user interfaces and interacts with their personal workstation in a more involving manner than facilitated by today's desktop computers. Large area projected and touch panel displays are combined with spatialised audio, allowing the user to become more involved with applications. Control is achieved using a mix of speech recognition, touch screen, rollerball, spacemouse and rotation of the chair itself. A number of demonstration applications are described and we indicate how such developments are likely to shape the workplace of the future.