Rapid design and manufacture of wearable computers

Abstract

dvances in computa-tional science and engi-neering have changedprofoundly both theartifacts we can realizeand the processes bywhich we realize them.This article looks at theimpact of these new technologies on the design ofwearable computers covering three main areas: newdesign tools and approaches, new manufacturingtechnologies, and new uses of information technolo-gies. We will show how we at the Engineering DesignResearch Center (EDRC) at Carnegie Mellon haveused the wearable computer project as a testbed inwhich to integrate research on rapid design and man-ufacturing. In our research, we have designed, manu-factured, and used our own tools as well as observingtheir use by others----where the tools include wearablecomputers, design analysis programs, and informa-tion organization tools. Through this process, wehave learned about design education and designpractice, and we have uncovered new issues fordesign research.