SRP-Groeifinanciering: Real-Time Cross-Media Data Exploration and Analysis for Next Generation Knowledge Workers

With the ever-growing amount of data produced by humans as well as IoT devices and smart envi- ronments, there is a strong need for tools and natural user interfaces to explore and analyse these large datasets forming part of the Big Data era. While the majority of user interfaces for data explo- ration and analysis are based on traditional screen-based visualisation, the emerging field of data physicalisation offers new opportunities since data can no longer only be explored visually, but also by making use of other senses such as touch, as illustrated in Figure 1. This new form of cross-media interfaces further enables the multi-user and real-time interaction and exploration of datasets since there is no longer a single user in control of the interface via keyboard and mouse. Dynamic data physicalisation enables innovative forms of higher-dimensional data representation where various physical properties (e.g. temperature or tactile feedback) can be combined with a 3D data visuali- sation. The proposed research agenda will address a number of challenges on the data processing as well as on the data physicalisation side to realise a real-time cross-media data exploration and analysis for next-generation knowledge workers. The envisioned data physicalisation framework will enable other researchers to conduct their dynamic data physicalisation research or studies but also serve as a platform for the rapid prototyping of dynamic data physicalisation solutions for ordinary users. There is a broad range of activities that might be supported by the proposed innovative real- time cross-media data exploration interfaces, ranging from the analysis of domain-specific research data to the exploration of large datasets by regular users (e.g. datasets collected in smart city man- agement where real-time pollution or traffic data might be analysed). Last but not least, the pro- posed real-time explorative human-information interaction might also be used during leisure activities such as museum visits..