The work presented at TEI has a strong focus on how computing can bridge atoms and bits into cohesive interactive systems. The intimate size of this single-track conference provided a unique forum for exchanging ideas and presenting innovative work through talks, interactive exhibits, demos, hands-on studios, posters, art installations, and performances.

The theme of this year’s conference was ‘On the Edge”: The theme echoes that Ireland and the City of Cork are on the edge of Europe, which sometimes results in a sense of disconnection but also of opportunity and openness. The conference’s aim was to look at the positive and thought-provoking aspect of this by celebrating cutting-edge scientific research and art that is on the edge of disciplines and on the edge of new unique developments and possibilities. This was reflected in the conference in the choice of keynote speakers, in the call for scientific contributions, in the curatorial brief for the arts track and exhibition, and in the student design challenge.

Dr Nolan’s interactive presentation at the conference was around a VR SuperGun, which is a virtual reality telepresence solution for legacy arcade hardware. It is a networked immersive augmentation of the 1985 JAMMA arcade game standard allowing interactive remote streaming of arcade game boards.

The project was created to explore how the materiality of coin operated arcade cabinets can be effectively recreated in digital space, while keeping the perceived authenticity of playing direct from the original tangible arcade hardware intact.

The VR SuperGun is also a prototype solution for the active play and display of classic arcade hardware in museum settings, with the aim of balancing preservation of the artefacts with access to their active play experience.

Dr Kieran Nolan said

“TEI 2024 was a great opportunity to connect with and learn from the Human Computer Interaction research community. There were over 250 delegates from Ireland and around the world who presenting their research on cutting edge topics in tangible interface design covering areas including haptics, data visualisation, and immersive design across a broad range of user scenarios. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to demo my work at the conference and receive valuable feedback that will be worked into the next iteration of the project”.