David Rose, entrepreneur and pioneer in ambient computing, discusses SuperSight - enhancing human sight with augmented reality for better decision-making. He explores creating digital twins for yards, AR applications, and design principles for spatial computing.
Ambient devices like the ambient orb prompt behavior change through glanceable information.
Super Sight explores augmented reality's potential to transform everyday objects into data-rich interfaces.
Deep dives
David Rose's Entrepreneurial Journey and Work on Ambient Computing
David Rose, an entrepreneur and pioneer in ambient computing, discusses his diverse career across startups. He founded companies like Interactive Factory, worked on ambient devices displaying glanceable information, and wrote books on connected objects. His recent focus is augmented reality in spatial computing and its impact on design and user experience.
Ambient Orb and Behavioral Change through Glanceable Information
David Rose's creation of the ambient orb, a lamp displaying dynamic information like weather or bus schedules, led to insights on behavioral change through persistent glanceable data. This concept influenced his later company Vitality, emphasizing how ambient information prompts behavior change, such as trust in public transport or increased activity levels.
Augmented Reality and Spatial Computing in the Metaverse
Super Sight, David Rose's latest book, explores augmented reality's role in enhancing human vision and perception. He envisions a future where AR provides contextual information overlaid on the physical world, transforming everyday objects like light switches into data-rich interfaces. Super Sight highlights the shift towards spatial computing and the design challenges it presents.
Super Sight as an Imagination Engine for Sustainability and Equity
David Rose sees Super Sight as a tool to project sustainable and equitable futures, addressing a failure of imagination by enabling users to visualize potential changes. By augmenting reality with proactive information on decisions' long-term effects, Super Sight encourages forward-thinking behavior, such as envisioning environmentally friendly landscapes or urban planning solutions through immersive experiences.
David Rose is an entrepreneur, MIT lecturer, author, and pioneer in ambient computing. Among other institutions, his work has been featured in MoMA, The New York Times, WIRED, The Economist, and The Daily Show. He’s the author of two books: Enchanted Objects and his latest, SuperSight, which is the subject of our conversation.