Research Area :: Empowering Digital Media

Intuitive human-technology interaction

Information systems are becoming ever more powerful, but also more complex¬ – the increasing amount of functions often overwhelms users. At the same time, our dependence on digital technologies grows. It is therefore extremely important that society doesn’t leave anybody behind on the path of digitalization – regardless of age, education, or other factors. That is why the research area “Empowering Digital Media” (EDM) follows the core idea that technology should serve humans, not the other way around. Projects focus on developing technologies that allow everybody to use computers intuitively. One important topic within this area is interaction, because digital media and services change the way we communicate, cooperate, engage with technology, and learn. A simple and intuitive access is essential for the sensible integration of digital media into work and home environments. 
 
EDM researches human-centered systems which are safe, easy to use, robust, and usable in a variety of environments. One typical example is the research project "Intra-Operative Information. Scientist from various fields such as informatics, digital media, cognitive systems, computer graphics, and radiology cooperate with medical doctors in various hospitals in order to develop new technologies for the operating room. Other application areas include digital games for use cases in physical therapy and computers worn on the body to help with machine maintenance tasks.

Critical factors for the acceptance of human-centered information systems are data security and privacy. Though computer technologies can already be protected fairly well against unauthorized access and data loss, this often comes at great inconvenience or costs for users. The TZI therefore develops technologies which can provide security in a user-friendly way.