Peoples Republic of South Devon

Brainstorming brainstorming…

July 4th, 2008

The weekly technology column from those good people at Plymouth’s
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Everyone has been involved in brainstorming at some point. From tactical, corporate meetings aimed at knocking out new advertising ideas, to late night discussions about how to take over the world, the brainstorming session is a worldwide phenomenon that leaves nobody out. But isn’t it always true that the vast majority of great ideas born in these discussions usually never make it past the concept stage, and that most are forgotten before they ever get the chance to evolve?

Not any more! Researchers from Keio University in Japan have teamed up with Kayac Company to develop what can readily be described as a ‘concept intensifying system’. ‘Kage Roi’ as it has been named, signifies the next generation in cerebral group discussion. Based on a computer capable of speech recognition, it takes the form of a discussion table with separate stations for each of the individuals taking part. Cunningly positioned microphones record what is being discussed, identify key words and phrases, and instructs the computer to trawl through the web and find relevant information to help develop the conversation. Ceiling mounted projectors then cast the information onto human-shaped shadows on the table which act as screens.

The concept behind the Kage Roi is that it will enable brainstorming sessions to flow more smoothly and ideas not to dry up or come to a dead-end as often. And just to add to the overall theme, it also features a multi-setting lighting system to generate atmospheric effects to the meeting. For instance, one setting imitates a dawn to dusk period over a two hour period, allegedly to stimulate useful phases and mood shifts during the meeting.

Although an original concept in itself, experts and visionaries have been working to discover a method of streamlining discussion groups for a long time. For instance, Danish development company MindLabs have created the concept of the egg-shaped brainstorming vessel. Basically a big egg which everyone sits inside for discussions, it is supposed to promote a stable and balanced environment where each of the participants feels equal and comfortable to share their ideas. Sounds a bit far fetched to me, but it has been received successfully by a number of Danish policy makers and business types.

Another original example is industrial designer Jason Chang’s S.P.I.C.E interactive table. This interactive table features games that require team work and encourage joint efforts that should inspire collective contribution and problem solving. S.P.I.C.E stands for ’stimulating play inspires creative expression’, and endeavours to be the first stage of strategic project development – a starting point for creative discussions and collaborations.

All these ideas, although original and well conceptualised, seem a little open to misuse to me. After all how tempting would it be, as everyone is sat around the Kage Roi trying to keep the discussion going, to pause from the issues in hand and shout ‘latest football scores’? Hopefully one day I’ll find out…

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