HC2 (Human Computer Confluence Research in Action)

FP7 ICT Call-5, FET proactive, Goal 8.4: Human Computer Confluence

Goals: HCC, Human-Computer Confluence, is an ambitious research program studying how the emerging symbiotic relation between humans and computing devices can enable radically new forms of sensing, perception, interaction, and understanding. HCC is set to produce profound technological and social impact. It is also a deeply interdisciplinary field, spanning a wide range of areas: from the cognitive sciences to computer science, human-computer interaction and artificial intelligence; from traditional sensor and systems engineering to the development of novel means to interact with any type of information and the exploration of new synthetic senses. The horizontal character of HCC makes it a fascinating and fertile interdisciplinary field, but it can also compromise its growth, with researchers scattered across disciplines and groups worldwide. A coordination activity promoting discipline connect, identity building and integration while defining future research, education and policy directions is needed at the regional, national, European and international level. The goals of this three-year long initiative are:

1. to stimulate, structure and support the research community, promoting identity building,
2. to consolidate research agendas with special attention to the interdisciplinary aspects of HCC, producing useful visions and roadmaps to support the construction of an HCC ERA-NET,
3. enhance the Public Understanding of HCC and foster the early contact of researchers with high-tech SMEs and other industry players
4. establish guidelines for the definition of new educational curricula to prepare the next generation of HCC researchers.

HC2 will achieve its objectives by creating a participative central information point for all stakeholders and by using a working methodology based on active community participation and Events (2 summer schools, 2 research agenda road-mapping mini-workshops, an HCC ERA-NET event with funding agencies, and a HCC socioeconomic impact workshop).

Status: started October 1st, 2010

Homepage: http://hcsquared.eu/home

Funding: EU FP7 ICT Call-5, FET proactive

Articles: HC2 Summer School 2012

Duration: 2010 - still in progress

Partners: Starlab S.L. - Living Science (Spain), ircam - Institut de Recherche et Coordination acoustique/musique (France), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore - Licent (Italy)

Contact: Alois Ferscha