RemixPlay: Sensors

Coventry (MAY 17th 2024) · Manchester (May 31st 2024)

Overview

RemixPlay: Sensors forms part of the GameChangers RemixPlay summit series and, as always, continues to explore the dynamic realm of play, and gameplay. This time around, we’re diving into the captivating and engaging world of sensor-based interfaces, with a keen eye on meaningful outcomes and serious objectives. Following the success of RemixPlay 5, which took place in 2023, we are thrilled to introduce a new format for the summit that features hands-on mini-events.

Our first new instalment, RemixPlay: Sensors, promises an engaging line-up of two insightful talks, and a panel session, which set the scene for the afternoon’s mini-hackathon event, igniting inspiration in a playful environment where creativity and innovation will flourish as we collectively ideate concepts based upon specific topics.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional, or just a curious enthusiast, RemixPlay: Sensors offers something for everyone. So, prepare to immerse yourself in a day filled with exploration, collaboration, and boundless creativity as we embark on an exciting journey at the intersection of play, technology, and purpose.

Gallery

Programmes

Morning Sessions

09:30 – 10:00 Registration

10:00 – 10:15 Welcome and Introduction

Prof. Sylvester Arnab
Centre for Postdigital Cultures, Coventry University

10:15 – 10:35 Talk
Biofeedback Driven Games

Dr. John HenryManchester Metropolitan University

John’s talk will be on biofeedback driven games, focusing on the latest advancements in the field, the opportunities for connecting with the Internet of Things, the current challenges in the area, and the opportunities for future work.

Speaker Bio
Dr John Henry is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Games at the Manchester Metropolitan University with research interests in the games-based solution, serious games, gamification, and the combination of game experiences with the Internet of Things for good. John’s research background includes projects that focus on promoting exercise through biofeedback in a games-based solution, using serious games towards emotion regulation, and other gamification related projects. Their PhD produced a development framework, allowing technology for good to develop projects that combine Serious Games and the Internet of Things. Dr Henry is actively researching adaptive gaming environments through the Internet of Things, games for managing mental health, and more.

10:35 – 11:00 Talk

Taking the Best From the Physical and Digital Worlds to Create New Sports and Activities

Jim Sephton
HADO Arena Coventry

Speaker Bio
Jim is the CEO of the AR sport HADO in the U.K., opening the first HADO court in Europe in 2018. The sport is now played in 42 countries. Working with multiple telcos, Jim and the U.K. team have led the way in integrating 5G SA technology with the Augmented Reality of HADO to empower remote play and new routes of broadcast.

11:00 – 11:15 Tea & Coffee Break

11:15 – 12:00 Panel Session: Games, Sensors, & Potential Applications

Join us for a dynamic panel session featuring six experts from diverse fields including arts, health, sports, dance, engineering, e-sports, and education. Our panelists will discuss the potential impacts of sensor-based games within their respective areas, highlighting how these technologies can be leveraged to achieve serious objectives. This session offers a unique opportunity to understand the multifaceted applications of sensor-based gaming from leading voices in various industries.

Dr. Marcus Maloney (Chair)
Institute for Creative Cultures, Coventry University.

Marcus Maloney is Assistant Professor of Sociology in the Centre for Postdigital Cultures, Coventry University. His research focuses on video game narratives, cultures, and communities; ideological contestations in digital spaces; and men and masculinities online. Marcus has published widely in these areas, including articles in Cultural Sociology, New Media & Society and Games and Culture, and his most recent book is Gender, Masculinity and Video Gaming: Analysing Reddit’s r/gaming Community (P
algrave 2019).

Prof. Mel Jordan
Institute for Creative Cultures, Coventry University.

Professor Mel Jordan (Art and the Public Sphere) is an artist, and academic, she is currently acting director of the Centre for Postdigital Cultures at Coventry University. Until 2020 she was Head of Contemporary Art at the Royal College of Art, London, UK. Her research focuses on art, politics, and public engagement, reflected in her founding editorship of Art & the Public Sphere (Intellect Ltd., ISSN 2042-793X). She co-developed the on-going SPACEX Project with Professor Andrew Hewitt, a consortium of 29 organizations exploring how spatial practices influence public opinion and promote inclusive urban living. SPACEX is an MSCA RISE Project funded by the European Union.

Prof. Michael Duncan
Centre for Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Coventry University.

Mike Duncan is Professor of Sport and exercise science and Director of the Centre for Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Sciences at Coventry University. His research is predominantly focused on understanding how movement interventions can enhance children’s physical activity, health and educational outcomes. He has sued sensors, particularly accelerometery in assessing movement quality, energy expenditure and physical activity in children, adults and older adults.

Dr. Ksenija Maravic da Silva
Centre for Healthcare and Communities, Coventry University.

Dr Ksenija Maravic da Silva is a Cognitive Neuropsychologist, interested in the effectiveness of neuromodulation in treating mental health and sleep. Together with my colleagues at a local NHS Trust, we delivered a ‘WellTrack’ intervention that uses actigraphy as a way to stimulate patients to achieve better health outcomes. My research links actigraphy and EEG indicators to people’s wellbeing. In the long term, actigraphy and other sensor-based technology would act as diagnostic and preventative tools in clinical healthcare.

Dr. Boyd Branch
School of Media and Performing Arts, Coventry University.

Dr. Boyd Branch specializes in immersive media, collaborative AI, and improvisational performance. He employs a variety of sensors, including heart rate monitors, EEG headsets, and LiDAR, to develop theater and performance installations that encourage audience engagement and dialogue about the unseen forces influencing behavior. His works have been showcased at a range of venues, including the Venice Biennale, Off-West End, Off-Broadway, and in major cities across the U.S., England, Colombia, the Netherlands, and Pakistan, with support from the US State Department.

Dr. Thomas Statheros
Centre for Future Transport and Cities, Coventry University.

Thomas is an Assistant Professor in Aerospace Engineering (Avionics, Autonomy, and Safety) at Coventry University in the Research Centre for Future Transport and Cities (CFTC). He is the founder and research leader of the Critical Autonomy and Safety Laboratory (CAUSLab) within CFTC. Thomas has over 22 years of work experience in industrial and academic research domains, specifically in Autonomous Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Embedded Systems, Software, Electronics, and Avionics Systems Design. He is the Module Leader of Avionics Systems I and Avionics System II Modules.

Shoubna Naika-Taylor
Esports Lecturer and Esports in Education Specialist at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College.

Shoubna is an esports lecturer and esports in education specialist who is interested in gamification and transferable skills using technology. She is a firm believer, that sensor technology is a great tool to learn, collaborate and innovate.

Afternoon Sessions

12:00 – 12:30 Sensor-based Play Session

Dr. John Henry
Manchester Metropolitan University

Jim Sephton
HADO Arena Coventry

Mark Lewis
Institute for Creative Cultures, Coventry University

 Jaimz Winters

Institute for Creative Cultures, Coventry University

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 15:45 Mini-Hackathon Introduction

Prof. Sylvester Arnab.
Institute for Creative Cultures, Coventry University

Dr. John Henry
Manchester Metropolitan University

13:45– 14:45 Mini-Hackathon Session 1

This first session will be a group activity. Participants will work together to co-create potential use cases / scenarios of sensor-centric games experiences.

Participants will work in teams to create ideas for sensor-based games for addressing a problem or need of their choice.

14:45 – 15:00 Tea & Coffee Break

15:00 – 15:30 Mini-Hackathon Session 2

Teams will gather their concepts and create brief presentations to convey their ideas to all participants. This period is designated for finalising prototype models, documenting ideas in writing, and preparing a short presentation.

15:30 – 16:15 Mini-Hackathon Presentations

We’ll take some time to hear from each group, exploring the different ideas that have been created during the day, and consider ways to take the ideas further!

16:15 – 16:30 Closing Statements

16:30 Close

Morning Sessions

09:30 – 10:00 Registration and Coffee

10:00 – 10:15 Welcome and Introduction

Dr. John Henry
Manchester Metropolitan University

10:15 – 10:35 Talk

Games and Sensors

Dr. John Henry
Manchester Metropolitan University

10:35 – 11:00 Talk

AI Avatars

Dr. David Tully
Director at Scenegraph Studios

11:00 – 11:15 Comfort Break

11:15 – 11:45 Panel Session

Dr. Connah Kendrick (Facilitator)
Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University

Panel members:

Dr. David Tully
Director at Scenegraph Studios

Dr. Misbahu Zubair
Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University

Dr. Adinda van’t Klooster
Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University

Dr. Matthew Crossley
Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University

Mr. Alexander Brooke
PhD Researcher

Mr. Oscar O’Brien
PhD Researcher

11:45 – 12:15 Game Demonstrations

Dr. John Henry
Manchester Metropolitan University

Dr. David Tully
Director at Scenegraph Studios

Dr. Adinda van’t Klooster
Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University 

Afternoon Sessions

12:15 – 13:15 Lunch

13:15 – 13:30 Introduction to Hackathon

Dr. John Henry
Manchester Metropolitan University

Prof. Sylvester Arnab.
Centre for Postdigital Cultures, Coventry University

13:30– 15:30 Hackathon Session

Dr. John Henry
Manchester Metropolitan University.

Prof. Sylvester Arnab.
Centre for Postdigital Cultures, Coventry University

Dr. Connah Kendrick
Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University

15:30 – 15:45 Comfort Break

15:45 – 16:15 Team Presentations

Dr. John Henry
Manchester Metropolitan University

Prof. Sylvester Arnab.
Centre for Postdigital Cultures, Coventry University

16:15 Closing Statements and Reflections

Dr. John Henry
Manchester Metropolitan University

Prof. Sylvester Arnab.
Centre for Postdigital Cultures, Coventry University

Locations

Frank Whittle Building

Room: ECB 1-29

Coventry University
3 Gulson Rd, Coventry
CV1 2JH
View on Google Maps

 

Institute of Sport

Room: 3.09

Manchester Metropolitan University
99 Oxford Rd, Manchester
M1 7EL
View on Google Maps

 

Partners