Things That Think: SimPhony

Research Photo

Slides from Fall 2003
presentation (PDF)
(sponsors only)

Project Website

SimPhony
A hands-free communication system with portable components, for use within manufacturing facilities.

Who:	From Intel: Jenna Burrell, Michael McGrath, Joe Butler, and Tom Gardos From the Media Lab: Prof. Chris Schmandt, head of the Speech Interface group, and his student, Vidya Lakshmipathy.
When:	2003
Where:	MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Why:	Manufacturing technicians could not communicate with each other without leaving their workstations, which could cause work slowdowns or even system failure.
How:	Using iPaqs and BlueTooth headsets with TCP/IP over 802.11b.

Details

The system was built for a real-world scenario at a factory in Ireland. Intel sent an ethnographer to the factory to study the problem, who then worked with the Media Lab researchers to develop a solution.

With SimPhony, technicians could communicate using instant-messaging or over a telephone system through their headsets. The system also allowed for hands-free communication with other technicians outside of the factory.


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