The data hungry home: humans harvesting data for living devices

The Data Hungry Home is the initial result of a research project deploying a critical design and research through design-led approach to challenging accepted paradigms of the role that devices fulfil in human-computer interactions. Founded on questions related to how devices could help improve experiences associated with navigation through the external environment, the project creates the concept of devices that exhibit certain aspects of life. In particular, it postulates, designs, and creates devices that require sustenance from data specifically collected and delivered by the human partner. In return, the device utilises these data in unexpected ways in order to generate experiences that add value to the interaction. Together, these interactions propose a rebalancing of human-device relationships. First-generation devices have been manufactured and will shortly enter in situ studies to evaluate actual interactions. The work may have the potential to add to the field of study investigating “beyond human-centred design”.