Cyber Physical Prolepsis
Amal Taryam (M.Sc)
Clinton Glen Mendonca (M.Sc)
Eleftherios Kourkopoulos (M.Sc)
George Junior Mehreb (M.Sc)
2020 – 2021
The thesis investigates the exploitation of cyber-physical systems in public spaces, as means for increasing social mixing and social interaction. The aspects of inclusive design are investigated while associating inclusive strategies with the phenomenon of digitalization in public spaces. By correlating the physical and digital aspects of contemporary public spaces, cyber-physical systems emerge as frameworks which allow for the adoption of inclusive strategies in the physical and digital sphere of public spaces. Lastly, as cyber-physical systems are based on the notion of anticipation, anticipatory design is examined as an approach for preparedness and proactiveness against phenomena of exclusion and social segregation.
Built around the notion of an anticipatory cycle and a data-driven structure, inclusive strategies are quantified and defined in an algorithmic manner to facilitate their implementation. In order to respond to the need for data-driven design, the real-time data collection techniques are studied. Specifically, the methods for data collection include crowdsourcing as a method for automating intercept surveys, computer vision as a method for automating on-site observation and data mining as a method for automating accessing and analyzing data sets. Additionally, data analysis and processing is presented via the tools of data mapping and a digital twin. In order to foster social interaction in the digital realm, Augmented Reality is employed, while its impact on inclusive design is explored. Lastly, particular emphasis is given in the physical dimension of the cyber-physical system, which entails the development of multi-stable kinetic structures that cater to a wide range of function. In particular, actuated origami structures are explored in conjunction with pneumatic mechanism, as the method of actuation. The aforementioned material system has been selected due to its lightweight and deployability.
