The Vive Center is excited to announce the addition of Björn Hartmann as our new Chief Design Officer. Björn is an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at UC Berkeley. His research in Human-Computer Interaction focuses on novel design, prototyping, and implementation tools for the era of post-personal computing.
His group investigates how better software and hardware can facilitate the exploration of interactive devices that leverage novel from factors and technologies. They also investigate how software can help students, designers, and makers to learn and share their expertise online, including through the use of Augmented or Virtual Reality.
His most recent work with Bala presents TransceiVR, a system that that utilizes VR platform APIs to enable asymmetric communication interfaces for third-party applications without requiring source code access.
Björn is also the Faculty Director of the Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation, where he has been integral to the success of the institute. He oversees the Institute’s curriculum, public programs, and maker space, rethinking the nature of hands-on learning in the twenty-first century. The institute focuses on the intersection of design and technology by equipping UC Berkeley students from a range of different disciplines with maker spaces for hands-on prototyping, iteration, fabrication, and testing.
Learn more about Jacobs Institute’s initiatives at jacobsinstitute.berkeley.edu.
Immersive 3D interface enabled by the emerging AR/VR systems and applications brings great challenges and opportunities in the field of HCI, Bjorn and the Jacobs Institute that he directs will bring world-class research expertise and forward-looking visions to guild the further development of the Vive Center and its many faculty projects. We are very enthusiastic to welcome him joining the team.
Executive Director, Allen Yang