Microsoft is making its case for better human-computing interactions at CHI 2015

10 min. read

Published onApril 21, 2015

published onApril 21, 2015

Share this article

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

There is a collection of researchers from Microsoft that will be attending this years AMC CHI 2015. The Microsoft researchers will present research studies as well as tools that will help shape the future of a wide range of human-computer communications.

Academic scholars, programmers, organizations, and businesses will all gather in Seoul Korea for the annual conference this year to discuss better ways of making computing even more personal. The conference will help researchers and developers focus on what works and doesn’t work when it comes to human interaction with computing. Some examples include catering to the particular needs of surgeons in operating rooms to CEO’s and presenters in boardrooms, as well as student and teacher interactions during online courses.

Thus far, Microsoft research has found examples of where computational management runs into a wall with human interaction. In the case of blood pressure monitoring and the Microsoft Band, the Redmond giant found that offering continuous blood pressure monitoring would be an excellent addition to the Band but would ultimately go unused for several reasons. The Microsoft Band team found that while people were interested in the feature, very few knew what to make of the data being presented. This lack of explanation often occurs with most health monitoring devices. Data and numbers without reference or clinical interpretation do very little to help maintain continued use. Another complication was that some users would be more likely to self-evaluate based on their perceived conclusions about the data. “For example, a person who got a high blood pressure reading might blame it on a recent salty meal,” said senior research on the Microsoft Band, Dan Morris. With two big hurdles that present countless issues with medical monitoring, Microsoft opted to leave the blood pressure measurement feature out of the final product. We can rest assured that the research team will address these issues at a later time when they have a better understanding how most people want or need to interact with new forms of computing.

Another area where the CHI 2015 conference and researchers can come together is in the changing landscape of search. Part of the research Microsoft is investigating into has to do with understanding a person’s intent when they search and still provide them the most relevant information pertaining to that search. Some would argue that Google and other search engines have pretty much figured this out, but they might be surprised at what research is turning up. “Although we have made tremendous strides in improving the quality and capabilities of search over the last decade, we are still just scratching the surface of what we can do,” said Susan Dumais, a distinguished scientist and deputy managing director of the Microsoft Research lab in Redmond.

Susan recommends that researchers continue to look more into large-scale behavioral data to help create algorithms and interfaces to power the next wave of search, but also to use complimentary methods to gain a complete view of search. Susan urges researchers to use approaches like field observation, laboratory studies, and panels in order to help supplement their findings and offer a greater scope of features and support for search queries. Another part of Susan’s observations belong to the growing trend of user behavior in adapting to newer technologies, particularly in mobile. People tend to search differently on mobile devices than on more traditional computing. The language used on a mobile device is shorter and more direct than on a PC per say. A sense of urgency and the adaptation to touch screens or voice input is still being learned. These are things search will have to accommodate more and more for in the future. According to Susan, “Today, people just expect search to work, and their expectations about what search can do are growing”.

Beyond search and mobile devices is an area of placing technology in the background when people want to interact with each other. Researchers at the conference will also be delving into 3D technology. 3D technology can help replicate or support the feeling people have of standing next to each other when in fact they are interacting with each other across areas. Boardroom conferencing is often an example used to tackle human and computer technology clashing. The more visual and immediate the response the better interactions people tend to get from technology. Items like the Surface Hub will help bring that level of comfort and interaction to board rooms in the future.

“For example, if two people are in one room, it uses face and clothing recognition to figure out who is at the white board at any given moment, so it can later separate out who wrote what on the board. In addition, it can distinguish between right and left hands, so you can use one as a pencil and the other as an eraser, and it lets you do things like use your finger as a laser pointer from far away.”

Microsoft will be hosting and presenting a plethora of meetings, research and meet-ups at CHI 2015. Microsoft’s presence at CHI this week also includes the following papers and presentations

There is no official word on this but presentations like these tend to end up on Channel 9, so keep your eyes on the channel for possible information from the conference.

Kareem Anderson

Networking & Security Specialist

Kareem is a journalist from the bay area, now living in Florida. His passion for technology and content creation drives are unmatched, driving him to create well-researched articles and incredible YouTube videos.

He is always on the lookout for everything new about Microsoft, focusing on making easy-to-understand content and breaking down complex topics related to networking, Azure, cloud computing, and security.

User forum

0 messages

Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Commenting as.Not you?

Save information for future comments

Comment

Kareem Anderson

Networking & Security Specialist

He is a journalist from the bay area, now living in Florida. He breaks down complex topics related to networking, Azure, cloud computing, and security

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Microsoft is making its case for better human-computing interactions at CHI 2015#

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Microsoft is making its case for better human-computing interactions at CHI 2015