Authors
Henrik Hautop Lund
Corresponding Author
Henrik Hautop Lund
Available Online 30 June 2014.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2991/jrnal.2014.1.1.5
Keywords
Playware, Research Method, Synthesis, Rapid Prototyping, Modular Technology
Abstract
Several sub-disciplines of engineering are driven by the researchers’ aim
of providing positive change to the society through their engineering.
These researchers are challenged by the traditional research method of
experimental research with a waterfall model which demands clearly defined
project definition and functional requirements, and impose a sequential
processes leading to the final system evaluation, which may lead to solutions
which work in the lab, but have little impact in the messy real world.
Based on two decades research in developing engineering systems with a
societal impact (e.g. in robotics, embodied AI, and playware), in this
paper we suggest a cyclic research method based on a mix between participatory
and experimental processes. In particular, inspiration from the action
research method applied to interdisciplinary technology development becomes
a participatory approach characterized by rapid prototyping cycles which
allow iterative technology specification and development together with
people in their real world environment.
Copyright
© 2013, the Authors. Published by ALife Robotics Corp. Ltd.
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).