NEWS & EVENTS

Talk 1: "Action and Perception at the Level of Synergies" by Prof. Michael T. Turvey (University of Connecticut / Haskins Laboratories)
Talk 2: "Interpersonal Synchrony" by Prof. Claudia Carello (University of Connecticut / Haskins Laboratories)

　　The ATR Science & Technology Seminars are held frequently to promote academic exchange. In these seminars, invited speakers who are at the forefront of scientific and technological development give lectures on the latest trends in their respective fields, and opportunities are provided for discussion with the audience. These events play an important and fruitful role in stimulating the research activities of our laboratories.

　　For the 98th seminar held on May 25, 2004, the Department of Ecological Communications (ECS), ATR Network Informatics Laboratories (NIS), invited two world-famous ecological psychologists, Professor Michael T. Turvey and Professor Claudia Carello (Center for the Ecological Study of Perception and Action, University of Connecticut / Haskins Laboratories). The colloquium hosted by ECS, entitled "Ecological Perspectives on Action, Perception, and Communication," marked the 1st in the Network Informatics Series of ATR Science and Technology Seminars.

Opening speech by Dr. Shimohara, Director of NIS

　The first speaker, Professor Turvey, gave a lecture entitled "Action and Perception at the Level of Synergies," which focused on the self-organization of coordinated action and the importance of a law-based, dynamical perspective for perception and action. Professor Carello gave a lecture entitled "Interpersonal Synchrony," which sheds light on the dynamical/self-organizing aspect of interpersonal communication. The audience appreciated this precious opportunity to learn about the core ideas and cutting-edge theories in ecological psychology.

Wave Engineering Laboratories（WEL）
Technology for wirelessly networking information equipment, such as tags and sensors, is thought to play an increasingly vital role in a ubiquitously networked society. ATR Wave Engineering Laboratories look to wave engineering to create innovative antennas and devices for use in electrical and optical wireless systems. The current focus is on antennas and devices for future use in wireless ad hoc networks.

Network Informatics Laboratories (NIS)
Network informatics is a research field aiming to understand information-mediated interactions from the perspective of the network dynamics involved in various relationships. ATR Network Informatics Laboratories conduct research toward understanding the essence of interaction between humans and humans, humans and society, and humans and the environment. This research regards these interactions as dynamic, self-organized processes where networks of relationships emerge, grow, develop and/or collapse. The concept of modeling interactions to the network dynamics of relationships need not be limited to human-scale interactions. It can be extended to include other aggregations from molecules, genes and cells to human groups, organizations and societies. By employing methodologies of evolutionary/emergent computation and network dynamics modeling, the labs are pioneering new possibilities for communication based on an understanding of the essence of information-mediated interactions in various and diverse aggregations.

The Center for the Ecological Study of Perception and Action (CESPA) at the University of Connecticut, which Professors Turvey and Carello are steering, was established in 1987. It is widely known as a leading research institute for ecological psychology. From throughout the world, the Center has gathered many influential scientists, who are often called "Gibsonians" because they have inherited the innovative theory and intellectual tradition of James J. Gibson.
Prof. Michael T. Turvey (left)　　　Prof. Claudia Carello
The first speaker, Professor Turvey, gave a lecture entitled "Action and Perception at the Level of Synergies," which focused on the self-organization of coordinated action and the importance of a law-based, dynamical perspective for perception and action. Professor Carello gave a lecture entitled "Interpersonal Synchrony," which sheds light on the dynamical/self-organizing aspect of interpersonal communication. The audience appreciated this precious opportunity to learn about the core ideas and cutting-edge theories in ecological psychology.

■ New Laboratories 　　　ATR opened two new laboratories on April 1, 2004.

Wave Engineering Laboratories（WEL） Technology for wirelessly networking information equipment, such as tags and sensors, is thought to play an increasingly vital role in a ubiquitously networked society. ATR Wave Engineering Laboratories look to wave engineering to create innovative antennas and devices for use in electrical and optical wireless systems. The current focus is on antennas and devices for future use in wireless ad hoc networks. Network Informatics Laboratories (NIS) Network informatics is a research field aiming to understand information-mediated interactions from the perspective of the network dynamics involved in various relationships. ATR Network Informatics Laboratories conduct research toward understanding the essence of interaction between humans and humans, humans and society, and humans and the environment. This research regards these interactions as dynamic, self-organized processes where networks of relationships emerge, grow, develop and/or collapse. The concept of modeling interactions to the network dynamics of relationships need not be limited to human-scale interactions. It can be extended to include other aggregations from molecules, genes and cells to human groups, organizations and societies. By employing methodologies of evolutionary/emergent computation and network dynamics modeling, the labs are pioneering new possibilities for communication based on an understanding of the essence of information-mediated interactions in various and diverse aggregations.

■ ATR Research Exposition 2004

This year's ATR Research Exposition will be held on November 4 (Thu) and 5 (Fri). The program will be announced around September on our website, http://www.atr.jp/


■ The 98th ATR Science & Technology Seminar 　　　The 1st Network Informatics Series (May 25, 2004)

“Ecological Perspectives on Action, Perception, and Communication” Talk 1: "Action and Perception at the Level of Synergies" by Prof. Michael T. Turvey (University of Connecticut / Haskins Laboratories) Talk 2: "Interpersonal Synchrony" by Prof. Claudia Carello (University of Connecticut / Haskins Laboratories) 　　The ATR Science & Technology Seminars are held frequently to promote academic exchange. In these seminars, invited speakers who are at the forefront of scientific and technological development give lectures on the latest trends in their respective fields, and opportunities are provided for discussion with the audience. These events play an important and fruitful role in stimulating the research activities of our laboratories. 　　For the 98th seminar held on May 25, 2004, the Department of Ecological Communications (ECS), ATR Network Informatics Laboratories (NIS), invited two world-famous ecological psychologists, Professor Michael T. Turvey and Professor Claudia Carello (Center for the Ecological Study of Perception and Action, University of Connecticut / Haskins Laboratories). The colloquium hosted by ECS, entitled "Ecological Perspectives on Action, Perception, and Communication," marked the 1st in the Network Informatics Series of ATR Science and Technology Seminars.