I never knew it, but one of the apps I’ve always wanted to build is called a “Retrospective Ethnography Retail Rig.” Whew, what a name.
Evidently, Dan’s built one and describes it as an application where:
“One observes and tracks users customers with wireless pan/tilt/zoom network ready cameras while the other maps and notates actions of users, product pickups, interactions with store staff, extreme postures (kneel, sit, reaching), wait times, noticeable signs of confusion or frustration.”
Notice the HP Tablet PC in the photo link 🙂
Here’s a photo of the video monitoring app, and I think here’s a closeup of the Tablet PC being used to display real-time extracted data. Very cool.
Extracting information from video sequences is fascinating to me–whether used to control a Robot, detect motion trends, capture a precious moment, or whatever. If Lan wouldn’t object I’d have cameras everywhere inside and outside the house–collecting movement patterns, stitching scenes into 3D models, and more. But probably wisely, Lan restricts my cameras to timelapse videos of my desk and video chatting with MSN Messenger.
Hey thx for the coverage! The Retrospective Ethnography Retail Rig is only one of a few programs here at Lextant involving Tablets.
We have another project where we are using tablets in the field as audio recorders and capturing timed events for medical proceedures.
We almost exclusively use the HP slate tablets for the flexibility.
We’re also working with OSU and Bishop Hartley Highschool in conducting research on tablet assisted education.
Lots happening basically. Thanks for the follow-up converage. Keep up the good blogness, we need more creatives pushin the tablet, it has huge and ever expanding possibilities.