/// MILAB LEADS THE WAY FOR PRACTICAL TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS Milab, the Media Innovation Lab at the Sammy Ofer School of Communications, has long been known for its groundbreaking research and prototyping work exploring the future of media, technology, and human-computer interaction. More than 100 students take part each year in a variety of B.A. and M.A. teaching programs at the lab, and faculty members are research experts from fields including technology studies, interactive media, design, psychology, and computer science. B.A. students were issued with a challenge to consider how technology can foster transparency and lead to improved behavior and awareness among users. The students had to develop working prototypes, giving them experience in applying theoretical knowledge to practical solutions. Ultimately, they presented a number of ideas and developed several prototypes. One such prototype, called Wattson, was a system for more informed electrical consumption, in which a smart plug measures the electricity usage of devices in the home and an application gives the user updates about the costs in real time.
Wattson: A system for more informed electrical consumption
SeeMe: A physical-digital tree for the classroom
80 | Herzliyan 2022
A second prototype was SeeMe, a digital tree designed to reflect children’s emotions and to encourage discourse about issues such as bullying. The tree is placed in an elementary school classroom and lights up in different colors as the children report positive or negative experiences after school hours. The following day, when the children come into class and see their emotions reflected in the tree, discussions take place about their experiences.