Interview with José LOZADA (CEA)
José Lozada is an engineer and researcher at the CEA. After completing a Masters in robotics at the ENS in Cachan, followed by a thesis in conjunction with the Laboratoire des Interfaces Sensorielles of the CEA and the Laboratoire de Mécanique des Solides de l'Ecole Polytechnique, he joined the Laboratoire d'Interfaces Sensorielles at the CEA as project leader.
What I find particularly interesting about my field of research is the fact that it is not just the system that is examined, but also the interaction. It is highly complex work, since, despite having some areas in common, each individual reacts differently to an interface. More than the influence of the human being on the system, it is the influence of the system on the human being that matters in terms of both the design and the creation of the system.
It is a very broad research field because it doesn't only concern computing or technology, but encompasses other aspects such as ergonomics, physiology and psychology.
And what project are you working on under Digiteo?
The presentation I am going to give to the Digiteo forum essentially focuses on the work I completed for my thesis which I started in 2004. The aim was to create a digital piano with a realistic keyboard, similar to a grand piano.
We had two aims: first to understand how a grand piano words in order to create the virtual model; and then create a keyboard with a release force system that was sufficiently effective, compact and accurate to achieve the desired function.
This project is now continuing under the "Pianoteo" project with partners from the LMS and the CEA LIST. The LMS is interested in the function of the piano as well as its digital simulation, and the CEA is interested more in the interface, the haptic system and testing.
The project will gradually develop in these two directions and its final phase will allow the implementation and compiling of both sets of results to allow everything to function together.
What is your aim for the Digiteo Annual Forum on 2 October?
My main aim is to communicate and present results and show what has been achieved. And, who knows, it may even result in an interesting opportunity for collaboration.
It is also an opportunity for me to find out more about Digiteo, what the cluster involves and how I can collaborate with others.
What are your expectations for the cluster?
The official endorsement of the "Pianoteo" project has allowed us to benefit from funding and therefore to continue the collaboration that has been going on for several years. This is important for us because there are patents pending and it
would have been a shame not to have been able to see things through.
As far as the future of the cluster is concerned, I have had the opportunity to see the plans for future buildings and it seems that there won't be a lot of segregation, which is great! For example, if you meet in the coffee break you can have the chance to chat to other people and that is how ideas emerge and collaborations are born!
I am also hoping that the cluster will bring greater international prominence. As we often say, we need a certain ‘critical mass' for this to happen.
Lastly, what is perhaps most interesting about the event is the fact that it will bring together a wide range of complementary skills and, generally speaking, no competition...In fact, there is nothing better for establishing firm foundations for collaboration.
Interview done on 05/09/2008.
