Queen’s University ’s Human Media Lab (HML) has created an “attentive” office cubicle that blocks noise and visual distractions when you’re trying to work, and then opens communication channels when you’re ready to socialize.

“The cubicle essentially provides a computer-mediated reality. It augments the user’s senses by removing objects that might be distracting,” explains Roel Vertegaal, Head of the HML. “Ultimately, the computer takes over our attention mechanisms, allowing our brain to focus energy where it will be most effective.”

The cubicle’s walls are constructed of the translucent “Privacy Glass™” that consists of a glass pane with an embedded layer of liquid crystals. Cameras mounted in the ceiling track the “social geometry” between co-workers, as soon as potential communication partners are detected, the cubicle’s walls change from opaque to transparent, allowing for visual interaction.

The workers also wear noise-cancelling headphones that filter out noise generated by co-workers in other cubicles. When the headphones detect that co-workers are looking at you or are approaching, they turn off noise-cancellation to allow workers to communicate normally.

The headphones can also pause or fast-forward live conversations allowing wearers to listen to two conversations at once. Using speech recognition, the headsets can automatically query Google with key phrases from the conversation.

Via Eurekalert.
(PDF of the project. Picture from HML blog.)