Design of Autonomous Moving Walls According to Recognized Activity Inside of Living Spaces

Abstract

This Master’s Thesis has been developed in Keio University, Tokyo (Japan), under the supervision of Professor Akira Mita, as part of the research group on Biofication of Living Spaces that is currently being carried out at Mita Leading-edge Science Technology Laboratory. This research group is investigating smart sensor networks that include robots, along with diagnostic methods, for obtaining information about the environment that surrounds a living space. Inside this framework, a lot has been researched about human recognition through sensors and robots and interpreting the information that they may provide. This Master’s Thesis aims to take a step further the knowledge achieved and develop a computer model that simulates the movement of walls according to the activity being held inside the living space, in a manner that the space adapts to the activity. This way, it becomes possible that small living spaces increase their effective useful area by reducing compartments that are not needed for a specific activity, getting that space back when it is required; as it has already been done manually for centuries in Japanese traditional housing. Therefore, the efficiency of the use of the space is increased, raising comfort with it.